Will Smith & Nile Rodgers Get Jiggy Wit It At Cardiff Castle

Now this is a story all about how Cardiff Castle got flipped upside down by none other than the Fresh Prince himself – Will Smith.

But before Hollywood royalty took the stage, the night already felt historic. What a day at the Castle , two headline acts in one evening. Nile Rodgers, the legendary producer and songwriter behind some of the biggest hits in music history, brought CHIC to town and turned the Castle into a 10,000-strong disco party.

Rodgers has written songs that have defined generations for Madonna, Bowie, Diana Ross, Daft Punk, Beyoncé and more and hearing them live in such a setting was spine-tingling. The sound, the production, the groove he’s a true architect of modern pop music, with over 500 million albums sold worldwide bearing his fingerprints. Cardiff was on its feet, dancing under the evening sky, and it was clear that even on a night billed as a Will Smith gig, this was Nile’s moment to remind everyone why he’s a legend in his own right.

Then it was time for the main event. Will Smith’s Based on a True Story Tour is more than a concert; it’s part memoir, part party, part personal confession. From the second he bounded on stage, backed by a huge crew of Cardiff dancers, it felt like we were being let into his world the highs, the lows and the soundtrack that carried him through it all.

He gave us the bangers Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It, Miami, Men in Black and, of course, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme each one met with roars of recognition and thousands of voices rapping along word for word. But Smith also used the show to reflect on his journey. He spoke about his life in TV, film and music, his family, and even the dark times, including the infamous Oscars incident, going as far as to bring the award itself on stage as a symbol of lessons learned. It gave the night a surprising depth, balancing the fun with real emotion.

The production was cinematic. Screens, dancers, lights every element felt crafted to match the scale of Will’s story. And when he closed with Summertime, fireworks exploded above Cardiff Castle, bringing the Depot Live summer series to a dramatic finale.

It wasn’t just a gig. It was a celebration of culture, of music that defined eras, and of an entertainer who has spent decades making us laugh, dance and cry. Cardiff got the best of both worlds: Nile Rodgers, a living legend of music, and Will Smith, a global superstar telling his story in the most unforgettable setting.

This one will go down as a true Castle classic.