Gig review: Ronan Keating, Glasgow SECC

By DAVE POLLOCK
Published on 09/02/2013 01:57

STUCK for the moment in the hinterland between boyband hunkdom and serious adult-orientated rock proposition, Boyzone survivor Ronan Keating doesn’t seem to be doing too badly out of his long-running solo career.

Ronan Keating

Glasgow SECC

***

He was here to look moody and charm the ladies, and on this evidence his mission remains deftly accomplished. There was something more than charm in the air here, though, namely a heavy hint of grovelling apology for apparently betraying his fans’ trust by conducting an affair which led to the break-up of his marriage last year.

I’ve Got You was dedicated with gratitude to all those in the room and Close Your Eyes was bookended by earnest thanks for “carrying me through this night” and “still believing in me”.

Bearing in mind his success now lies in live shows and albums, with his last hit single coming in 2006, Keating’s big-budget, full-band affair hung mainly on ageing but well-delivered early hits, like I Love It When We Do, When You Say Nothing At All and Life is a Rollercoaster. Gems amidst the fillers included a sweet duet of Last Thing On My Mind with backing singer Jo Garland and a cover of Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do), although the only hint of a past life that’s soon to be pored over again came with lesser-known Boyzone track Separate Cars, a prelude to the band’s 20th-anniversary tour later this year.