SHANE FILAN // CAIRD HALL, DUNDEE

SHANE FILAN BRING HIS UK TOUR TO DUNDEE'S CAIRD HALL

SHANE FILAN PERFORMING AT DUNDEE'S CAIRD HALL - 20/09/2017
PICTURE BY: CHRIS SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

★★★★★

It’s a demanding schedule for the ex Westlife singer doing a gig in a different city every night for a month.

The concert opened in a very rainy Dundee on the 20th October and even though the heavens were open, Shane’s loyal fans turned out in decent numbers. The show began with Australian singer Guy Sebastian who was popular with the local crowd. Lots of shouts for him to get his top off reverberated around the darkened stalls, which he took with good humour.

Guy opened with a nice song called Battle scars, a nice tune which was delivered well and obviously came from the heart. During the performance the engagement with the crowd for Australian number one single “Who’s that Girl” was surreal and Guy responded to their request which went down well with the Dundee audience. His set came to a end with his new single "High on Me" a tune that would test any soprano, but he nailed every note. Guy is obviously one to watch out for the future.

The crowd surged as the main event was due to start, it went from a half empty hall to ¾ fill in a few minutes. As the band came on, this started the high-pitched screams by the loyal fans mostly wearing their Shane t-shirts. Shane Filan's band was a four piece all in classic black and white suits, followed by the main man himself. He was dressed in a tux and this sent the crowd pretty wild, with shouts and screams of “We love you Shane”

Shane's set started with “When you’re looking like that” a real lively rendition of this popular tune, followed swiftly by “About you” Shane has a great stage presence without being cheesy. He engaged with the crowd well ensuring they all got a bit of his attention.

He took time to talk to the crowd about his love of Scotland and jested with the crowd who were shouting for him to get his top off..

“Unbreakable” was next swiftly followed by “This I promise you” then“What makes a man” which again was just a faultless lyrical performance.

Shane was a really was on top of his vocals and belted these out effortlessly. Good energy in the performance ensured the crowd were never off their feet. He introduced his band to the crowd who at this stage were all standing and singing along to every song and hung off every word. Filan then went onto “Beautiful in White” which slowed things down and onto the faultless rendition of “What about now” which was a real crowd pleaser. After this song he finished this part of the show with “Knee deep in my heart” then went off for a costume change.

Next part of the show was Shane seated and it was cover ballads including the bangles hit “Eternal Flame” and a haunting version of “I can’t make you love me” which again showed the true calibre of Shane as a performer. This seemed to bring the crowd and the atmosphere down slightly before the he belted out “Heaven” and moving up to the where the band were situated. More banter with the crowd was followed by his version of “Cake of the Ocean” and “Power of Love” which really lifted his loyal fans.

SHANE FILAN PERFORMING AT DUNDEE'S CAIRD HALL - 20/09/2017
PICTURE BY: CHRIS SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

“Uptown girl” was next and again everyone was up on their feet, mobiles swaying in the crowd. This was followed by “If I let you go”

Shane Filan did a thank you speech, specifically focused on the tour guys, management and of course his loyal fans. He then performed his go to tune “You raise me up” he let the crowd down gently by letting them know this was near the end. Lot’s of “Love you Shane” from the audience as he left the stage. His show came to close, while Shane was ready to come back on stage for his Encore, the building echoed with chants of "We want Shane"... "Don't dream it's all over" and final song of "World of our Own".

This tour has a strong following and think this tour will go well for him, even though it’s a demanding schedule. I must say the band were very tight with the lead guitarist particularly talented. Overall a good gig and if you were a Westlife fan, it would be worth going to see. I was surprised by the age range going from very young to old and a mix of men and women.

SHANE FILAN'S TOUR CONTINUES:

SEPTEMBER 21 - SEC ARMADILLO : GLASGOW, UK
SEPTEMBER 23 - FESTIVAL THEATRE : EDINBURGH, UK
SEPTEMBER 24 - SANDS CENTRE : CARLISLE, UK
SEPTEMBER 25 - TYNE THEATRE : NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UK
SEPTEMBER 26 - VICTORIA THEATRE : HALIFAX, UK
SEPTEMBER 28 - BARBICAN CENTRE : YORK, UK
SEPTEMBER 29 - OPERA HOUSE : BUXTON, UK

SEPTEMBER 30 - ROYAL CONCERT HALL : NOTTINGHAM, UK
OCTOBER 01 - O2 SHEPHERD'S BUSH EMPIRE : LONDON, UK
OCTOBER 03 - ROYAL AND DERNGATE : NORTHAMPTON, UK

OCTOBER 04 - OAKENGATES THEATRE - TELFORD, UK
OCTOBER 06 - OLYMPIA : LIVERPOOL, UK
OCTOBER 07 - CHARTER HALL : COLCHESTER, UK

OCTOBER 08- WYVERN THEATRE : SWINDON, UK
OCTOBER 09 - THE CRESSET : PETERBOURGH, UK
OCTOBER 11 - DE MONTFORT HALL : LEICESTER, UK
OCTOBER 12 - WINTER GARDENS : MARGATE, UK

OCTOBER 13 - HEXAGON THEATRE : READING, UK
OCTOBER 14 - SALISBURY CITY HALL : SALISBURY, UK
OCTOBER 16 - TOWN HALL : BIRMINGHAM, UK
OCTOBER 17 - GUILDHALL : PORTSMOUTH, UK
OCTOBER 19 - THE OLMYPIA THEATRE : DUBLIN, IRELAND
OCTOBER 20 - THE WATERFRONT HALL : BELFAST, UK

REVIEW + PHOTOS BY: CHRIS SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

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