Review: Ronan Keating, Royal Concert Hall
IT fell perfectly for Nottingham – Ronan Keating on St Patrick's Day, just as Boyzone hit number one in the album charts.
This was a night of mixed emotions for the singer, back on the stage where he took his first nervous steps as a solo artist nearly ten years ago. He sounded genuinely pleased to be there.
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But it was also the night when his Boyzone buddy Stephen Gately should have been celebrating his 34th birthday and, although it is six months since he died, Ronan told the rapt audience that the rest of the band were still struggling to come to terms with the loss.
"I miss him every day," he said, and the crowd fell silent for a brief moment.
But the show must go on – and boy, does Ronan Keating put on a show. Singing against a mesmerising projection of dazzling images that flowed from falling roses to snowflakes and the bright lights of Broadway, he opened with Friends In Time to a crescendo of screams.
Everything Ronan gave with his familiar songs and twinkling Irish blarney was returned with ear-bursting interest by the audience.
As you would expect, all the hits were there: Time After Time, When You Say Nothing At All, The Way You Make Me Feel and If Tomorrow Never Comes.
When it comes to the powerful rock ballad with an added lilt of the Emerald Isle, nobody does it better.
Just before the finale, primed by Life Is A Roller Coaster, there was the briefest walk-on appearance by Boyzone's Shane Lynch who had driven up from London just to support his mate. Nice touch, that.
Then Ronan revealed that dates for a new Boyzone tour would be announced next week and the fans went wild. It was quite an encore.
7 Comments
by christine, Keyworth
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:42PM
“Wow what a wonderful performance Ronan gave last night.
His songs were expertly delivered with passion and I do believe that his voice just gets better and better.
The raw emotion that he showed, as he talked about when he and the boyz returned to Ireland with Stephen for the funeral,created more than a few teary faces in the audience.
He then sang In This Life which he had sung at Stephens funeral at his mothers request.
It was great to see Shane had come to support Ronan.
It was refreshing to see such avariety of ages,sexes,serious and not so serious fans and for his performance,language and behaviour to be suitable for any age.
He sang exquisite ballads and from child to 70 year old, all were dancing to Lovin Each Day and Life Is A Rollercoaster.
My moment of sheer bliss....?
Wilde mountain Tyhme...perfect !
I waited outside the stage door too, however it seemed obvious to me that there was no way that he could sign for people. It would have been impossible with that huge crowd and the tram line.
Anyway I was happy enough to catch a glimpse of him and Shane as they sped off,
They didnt ignore us they wound the window down a little and waved.”
by Annie, nottingham
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:40PM
“it was a very hard gig to watch for me, i have been a boyzone fan since they ever started and if i know Ro he would had found it very difficult even doing the gig, he just needed is space and he would never intend to hurt or upset anyone that is not his nature,his emotional was very mixed and i jus admiral him for bein able to sing at all. i was in bits for most of the show because i knew ro was hurting and the fact it was steos bday didnt make me feel to good either knowing hes not here anymore, i just wanted to give poor Ro a cuddle. A true Boyzone fan would have understood. I hope you are ok now Ro and the other Boyz.. Keep your chin up, you know steo was always happy and singing he wouldnt want people being sad. i know its hard but keep going sunshine you made me very proud last night and i thought you was very brave.Thanks Ro and well done boyzone for being num one on steos bday week WOW thats amazing isnt it. just try and be positive.love you boyzone love Annie.xxxxxx”
by MARK, nottingham
Thursday, March 18 2010, 3:29PM
“thanks EP for your prompt action and the comment was aimed at his driver in regards keeping us on "tender hooks" waiting - we could then go in and get comfy for the performance of a lifetime - Guess Boyzone will do the Arena or who knows the boys might surprise us...smiles”
by MARK, nottingham
Thursday, March 18 2010, 3:10PM
“he did do a meet and greet, that wasnt what i met
dont know why my message has appeared several times guys i submitted it and it didnt accept - EP Please remove the additional messages
i am a regular attendee and supporter of both the Theare and Royal Centre Nottingham,
fellow like minded people feel free to email me on my email address love music from 60s to present day, comedy, thrillers and things a little different
brilliant atmosphere treated mum who enjoyed it immensly sprightly 70yr old”
by Ian, Thorneywood
Thursday, March 18 2010, 2:08PM
“The phrase "powerful rock ballad" is laughably out of place in this review.
Nothing against him, but people like Meatloaf & Queen do (or did) powerful rock ballads,. Ronan Keating does not.
I understand it being a disappointment him not doing a meet & greet but hardly something to hold a grudge over, especially considering it's the birthday of someone he was like a brother to.
And you only have to post your comment once for people to get the idea Mark.”
by Claire, Leeds
Thursday, March 18 2010, 1:28PM
“Sounds like a great show - he was fantastic in Birmingham earlier this month too. SO glad Shane came to support him on this difficult day.
Mark - it is disappointing when stars do not meet and greet but I think you are a little harsh. This was Steo's birthday - and the first of anything after someone dies are the hardest. In some ways it would have been understanable for Ronan to cancel this gig completely or change the date. It must have been really hard for him so I wouldn't expect as an understanding fan for him to meet anyone before or after and I wouldn't have asked. They are human underneath you know.”
by MARK C15, NOTTINGHAM
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:27AM
“A fantastic show by Ronan which was supported by an excellent back drop, the songs came across with emotion on this special and memorable day, and what a surprise to see Shane there as well ¿ the only dampener being to all his true loyal fans waiting back stage afterwards was when the shutters rose, his transport backed in, the shutters shut, and after a period of time they rose again and he just drove off into the night without us seeing him get into his car. Another point to note was when he did arrive at 715 his driver said he would let us know if Ronan would have time to pop out and sign an autograph, and in fact he did not come back and tell us that ¿ a simple yes or no would have been sufficient instead of letting the fans just hang unknown and looking like fools ¿ not really a way to treat your fans is it”