Glimmer's Concert Review

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Support group, "Fourplay" ( a quartet ) were just finishing their set as I arrived to take my seat. There was a short interval as the roadies prepared the area in front of the curtains that concealed the Corrs main stage setup. U2's latest CD is playing on the PA and as the current song fades out, the lights dim to darkness...
The audience are already cheering with anticipation. The raised giant video screens on either side of the stage flicker with an image that becomes the now familiar pre-recorded black & white film of the Corrs walking down a generic backstage corridor. These images are accompanied with an excerpt from the "Lough Erin Shore" instrumental, particularly the thundering drums. Stage lights are sweeping over the audience. As concert openings go, it is a simple but effective one that has served them well for two concert tours. Having only seen bits of this on Lansdowne and Wembley concert videos, it was really cool to see the entire intro and feel the excitement grow with the rest of the audience.
The familiar guitar riff that kicks off "Only When I Sleep" cranks out the speakers and the stage curtains are pulled back to reveal the band. On the TV broadcast of the Wembley concert I felt that this beginning had been weakly mixed in sound, and realised I was right because it is a powerful opening, live. Next the recent CD singles get an airing with "Give Me A Reason" and "Irresistible". These are great pop songs that more or less show that the Corrs can attack the charts with the best of them.
"Somebody For Someone" could've used an extra guitar live (Jim was on keyboard) , as it is an acoustic song at heart. Still, it is another popular song off In Blue.
"Dreams" goes down well as does the first Irish medley for the evening "Joy Of Life". The audience show as much appreciation for the instrumentals as they do the pop repertoire. Mention should be made at this point of the subtle yet effective lighting on the large canvas behind Caroline throughout the concert.
"I Never Loved you Anyway" and "Queen of Hollywood" are my two favourite Corrs songs, especially the latter because of the brilliant idea to put a guitar solo in the live arrangement. Both songs rocked when they played. Old favourites "Forgiven Not Forgetten" and "What Can I Do" also put in an appearance, but could hardly be described as fillers.
"Haste To The Wedding" (Parts 1 & 2) is the next Irish instrumental which defies anybody not to clap along.
Caroline leaves her drum riser and takes her seat at the piano for the start of "Runway". The acoustic set continues with "Don't Say You Love Me", "All The Love in The World", and "Old Town". This set brings the volume and pace to a quieter level and clearly demonstrates that the magic vocal harmonies of the sisters are not just confined to the studio. At one point, the video screens have a split screen image of all three sisters singing on DSYLM.
During "Old Town", Andrea flirts unashamedly with the audience in the middle of the song - the audience appreciate her sexy sense of fun. "No Frontiers" has been dropped from the set for DSYLM which was just recently added to the Australasian tour.
Caroline introduces a funky drum beat that soon becomes the hook to "Radio". "No More Cry" is a powerful rock song whose emotional history keeps it as a good set finish. "Breathless" - the single that converted so many new fans to the Corrs (including myself) has the remainder audience on their feet if they aren't already.
The new single "Would You Be Happier" is cheerful & upbeat, and replaces "At Your Side" in the encore set. The synced video for WYBH plays on the giant screens in its entirety for those unfamilar with its fun theme. "So Young" and instrumental "Toss The Feathers" round off the encore set.
An hour and 45 minutes of live Corrs music leaves a lasting effect on you that very few current pop bands can. You can see and hear that they are all talented musicians who gel together and the audience in a manner which is overall positive, just like their music.