REVIEW: Boyzone, Hydro ****

AN emotional Boyzone said their final farewell to the Glasgow fans who have dedicated more than two decades to the band by putting on a spectacular last show at the Hydro on Wednesday night.

Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, and Shane Lynch left the Boyzone loyal with a night to remember as they performed their greatest hits pitch perfect and shared stories about their loveByoSf city.

The Dublin-born popstars oozed charisma from the moment they stepped on the stage to perform opening hits Coming Home Now, Isn’t It A Wonder and the epic Cat Stevens cover Father and Son.

Ronan then beamed to the fans: “Thank you so much for that welcome that only you get in Glasgow. A welcome we will all miss.”

The handsome singer than spoke about his early days in the city when the band filmed kid’s TV magazine show Fully Booked and stayed at the Crowne Plaza.

That throwback story created the perfect starting point for 90s nostalgia as the band continued to dish out some of their biggest songs.

Ronan’s vocals were simply stunning on the Tracy Chapman cover Baby Can I Hold You while Every Day I Love You and Key To My Life allowed the most poignant tribute to Stephen Gately, whose brother Tony was at the show.

True to their word, the four-piece continue to put Stephen at the heart of their music. And who could blame them? His voice was the perfect contrast to Ronan’s husky tones creating a unique sound that can only be Boyzone.

Once the emotion was over, however, it was all fun and games as the lads joked around on stage holding up a Scottish saltire and posing in bras thrown on by

fans.

Words, Love Me For A Reason and No Matter What lifted the atmosphere and were highlights while Ronan’s solo hits Life is a Rollercoaster and When You Say Nothing at All delighted the audience.

With the band due to end it all for good in London at the end of this month, the performances of Ronan’s solo tracks gave fans a glimpse of what could be as he continued to shine throughout the show with his unique phrasing and powerful voice.

But united, for now, the group put on a performance for the fans that showed just how powerful and important boybands are in people’s lives.

Their songs mark moments and create memories, and this is something that even Boyzone themselves recognised as they spoke about how their children had grown up with the music.

Picture of You rounded off the show on a positive note with Ronan also promising the fans that Boyzone is forever.

And I bet they agree.

STACEY MULLEN