Concert  News And Reviews

     Ronan Keating  19^th April tickets pounds 23 Manchester

Ronan Keating @ The M.E.N. Arena - manchester reviews             www.manchesteronline.co.uk

Ronan Keating Live

RONAN Keating has come a long way since his Boyzone days and his dazzling performance in front of a packed crowd at the M.E.N Arena was further evidence that he has the ability to be one of the best solo artists of his generation.

Former Take That frontman Gary Barlow promised so much, only to fall by the wayside, while Robbie Williams went on to scale even greater heights. So, it is a refreshing change that this mild-mannered Irish star has successfully managed to hold his own in the cut-throat pop pantheon where so many former boy-band icons have fallen.

You might think Ronan has already achieved enough in his 25 years, with 12m Boyzone record sales safely tucked under his belt, a gorgeous wife, Yvonne, on his arm and two young children. But, following the release of his new album Destination, Ronan seems poised to make his mark among the musical greats. It is fair to say the audience was predominantly female, but there were a few boyfriends and the odd single male dotted around. However, it was the ladies who went wild when Ronan entered wearing trademark denim jacket, white T-shirt and cowboy boots, and he had them eating out of his hand before even opening his mouth.

Wild screams greeted the tender If You Love Me and The Way You Make Me Feel, but it was breakthrough debut single Life Is A Rollercoaster - also the title of his best-selling autobiography - which sent the crowd into delirium.

Keating flew above the fans attached to metal suspension wires, twirling acrobatically in the air to the delight of his adoring faithful; a spectacular sight to savor. Further highlights of this high-tempo performance included the hits You Say Nothing At All, Tracey Chapman cover Baby Can I Hold You Tonight? and the adorable Addicted, all proof that Ronan is capable of reliving his Boyzone glory days, but this time as a successful solo artist.

***31 October 2002 Royal Albert hall London - www.Dotmusic.com  

Ronan Keating's first tour without his usual backing group, sorry Boyzone, is a celebration of his coming of age. Yes, at a tender 23 our 'Ro' is now heading into solo artist territory, currently populated by a variety of well and truly has beens. It's his for the taking and you sense he knows it.

Tonight Matthew, Ronan is a denim-clad Elvis. Making his boxer-style entrance through the now ecstatic crowd, Ronan has set the place alight without uttering a word. The music kicks in and the first of many vicious pelvic thrusts are unleashed. All hell breaks loose and seats are abandoned en masse.

Ronan appears relaxed and happy to carry the full weight of expectation of those assembled. He seems to relish the music and the freedom to just be himself onstage. Choreographers are put on the back burner as he opts for an unorthodox body jerking dancing technique and impromptu arse wiggling. The ladeez love it. Or rather, the middle-aged mums love it. Do we have the new Tom Jones in our midst? Instead of teddy bears hurled forward it's roses decorating the stage and hysterical women jumping up and down.

Ronan Keating Live

Unlike arena shows, it's not tacky or tinny. Ronan's voice amply fills the hall over music that predictably varies between, you guessed it, epic ballads and upbeat rocky numbers. The new single 'The Way You Make Me Feel' shines through early on.

Then it's part two - the homage to the 'Zone. After slipping into a leather number Ronan opens a silver box onstage reminiscent of a prop on the last Boyzone tour. Out of it he plucks a cowboy hat with a cheeky grin and a p**staking dance routine, he heads straight into a triple whammy of hits - 'Picture Of You', 'Baby Can I Hold You Tonight' and 'Father And Son', the final one of which sees Ronan drowned out in an 'Angels' style singalong.

How do you follow that? Easy, with the Notting Hill smash 'When You Say Nothing At All' and the chart-topping 'Rollercoaster'.

Ronan slips in a new track 'Loving Everyday' and two covers for good measure - a possibly ill-advised version of Thin Lizzy's 'Whiskey In The Jar' and the rousing forthcoming b-side, a version of The Pogues' 'Fairy Tale Of New York' for which he is joined onstage by Clannad's Maire Brennan. Just time for another slowie ('Long Goodbye') and a full band bow before our hero reluctantly exits the building.

Tonight there seems little point in reconvening Boyzone. As much as it might pain him he just doesn't need the others anymore. Ronan's rollercoaster just keeps going up and up.

***21 June Glasgow gigs hit with Ronan

Ronan Keating sent his fans into a frenzy last night when he got up close and personal. The Irish heartthrob mingled with the adoring audience as he belted out The way u make me feel. He got a rapturous reception as his sell out Destination Tour set up camp at Glasgows SECC for two dates. Wearing a designer suit, Ronan delighted his fans with tracks from his chart - topping solo album destination - including Lovin each day and the recent smash hit If Tomorrow Never Comes.

Obviously taken aback by the reaction, Ronan said," how's it going Glasgow? It's great to be back. I've always said I have the most fun in G and we're going to keep that going tonight, all right," Ronan performed tracks including the upbeat Life I a Roller, trade mark ballad The Long Goodbye and cover versions of brown eyed Girl and You Needed Me.

He made a poignant tribute to the September 11 victims and urged his fans to "slow down and find some love before dedicating the song Time For Love to the victims of that fateful day. The audience voiced their appreciation with a word perfect rendition of Notting hill smash hit Nothing At All and he looked moved by their efforts.

Backed by his six-piece band, Ronan was at ease on stage and proved once again his health scare was forgotten. Ronan feared he would need a career-threatening operation and had to visit a specialist to put his mind at ease.

Controversy has surrounded the sensible singer, who publicly declared recently that he had no intention of reforming Boyzone and hasn't spoken to his former band mates for months. With his solo career going from strength to strength it seems unlikely he will ever journey back to his boyband days.