TEENAGE CANCER TRUST 2025 PRESENTS... THE CORRS // ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON
Folk-tinged pop delights audience
★★★★☆ (4/5)
THE CORRS PERFORMING AT TEENAGE CANCER TRUST 2025 CONCERTS AT LONDON’S ROYAL ALBERT HALL
PHOTOCREDIT: JOHN STEAD
The continued popularity of The Corrs can be seen in the volume and passion of their fans nearly 35 years on from their stunning debut as thousands of concertgoers made their way to the Royal Albert Hall on a Friday night. Performing as part of The Teenage Cancer Trust 2025 fundraiser, the night saw the familial band deliver their seamless fusion of traditional Irish folk and contemporary pop with relish.
From the start, the night was sure to be a memorable one. Before the band had even taken to the stage, a jubilant nature could be felt from the audience, a palpable excitement to see their favourite band.
Support from Irish rock band Dea Matrona was warmly received by the audience, as their performance showed superb musicianship and captivating vocals. By the end of their set, the crowd had been thoroughly won over, as could be heard in the cheers from the newly converted fans.
A quick changeover saw The Corrs take to the stage with a thoroughly dramatic entrance, with heavy drums and lighting announcing their arrival. Immediately demonstrating the merit of their unique sound with a rustic blend of rich harmonies, infectious melodies and deft instrumentation.
The band, consisting of Andrea on vocals, Caroline on percussion, Sharon on keys and Jim on multiple instruments, displayed a prowess and passion for the music they performed. Thundering drumming would give way to complex violin pieces which complemented the angelic vocals that were given a rich texture by the rhythm section.
Alongside ever-popular motifs of love and loss, many of the songs in the set featured themes of unity and belonging. These suited the charitable aims of the evening well. Contributing to such a cause showed The Corrs continued commitment to supporting philanthropic causes. Andrea seemed in adoration of the crowd, reiterating how special the night was and the band's admiration for the charity's work.
The biggest hits of the night came from the nostalgia-laden sonnets which made the band such a behemoth in the nineties. “So Young” showed an evergreen songwriting pedigree as the varied ages in the audience all found a thread to cling to. While a cover of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac was a pleasant surprise and prompted dancing in the aisles. A moving rendition of “Runaway” proved an emotive way to close out the main set. An encore of the irrepressible “Breathless” and a traditional folk cover of “Toss the Feathers” left the crowd in a heady afterglow which carried them out into the brisk March air.
The audience remained on their feet even after the final notes rang out, with the band performing a well-earned curtain call arm in arm, which elicited cheers that filled the vaulted ceilings of the hall. None doubted that The Corrs cemented their status as musical icons.
