ShareBoyzone performing The Final Five Tour at The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Thursday 17th October 2019
Images and Review Kevin Cooper
Earlier this year Boyzone came to the Motorpoint Arena on their Thank You And Goodnight Tour which saw many emotional fans saying a fond farewell to a boy band that has all grown up and decided to go their separate ways. And last night Nottingham was given the opportunity to do it all over again for the very last time.
Special guests were 5West, a quartet hailing from Nashville, who first performed live at The President’s Ball in Cape Town South Africa. Showing no sign of nerves before this packed Arena they delivered a set list that contained their latest single, the anthemic Stars About You, and as they left the stage leaving behind a very impressed crowd, they may well be another band that will stand the test of time.
As Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Michael Graham and Keith Duffy descended on a ledge from the roof of the Arena; it was hard to hear the opening lines to Who We Are as the screams from the crowd reached uncharted decibels. With the elder statesmen breezing through a performance that had all of their hits with a comforting ease that only a band that have been together for 26 years could do, they performed as young lads embarking upon a musical journey, and not one that is bringing it to an end.
With every song instantly recognisable, the crowd sang along to a set list that took them on a wonderful trip down memory lane. There was the up tempo Love Is a Hurricane which showed that their dance moves have improved little over the years, an awesome cover of Tracey Chapman’s Baby Can I Hold You whilst You Needed Me showcased their still wonderful harmonies.
Undoubtedly the centre piece of the show was a tribute to the late Stephen Gately, who passed away ten years ago. Dream, a song featuring Gately’s vocals was performed around a symbolic column of light and was a powerful tribute.
With Keating still at the top of his game in the vocal stakes, Every Day I Love You, Key To My Life, Words, and When You Say Nothing At All were particular highlights.
With each member being given their own solo spot to address their fans, Lynch took it one step further as he left the stage to meet some of them, even making sure not to miss out some who were in the tiered seats. With selfies being taken and hugs abound, it was with some reluctance that he came back to the stage, but as the remaining three were entertaining with mass sing along, Love Me For A Reason, he joined them for When The Going Gets Tough and main set closer, A Different Beat.
Back on for the encore, Life Is A Rollercoaster was followed by Picture Of You as the fans said their emotional goodbyes. And when an audience member displayed a T shirt bearing the words ‘Westlife Is The Best Life’, the crowd were quick to disagree as this farewell performance left a glimmer of hope that Boyzone may just do it all over again.
