The Corrs – Spark Arena, 9 November 2023: Review

The Corrs, the Irish sibling pop group that struck it big in the mid/late 90’s, hit Kiwi shores last night, bringing with them an entourage of supports acts. Not losing an inch in execution or popularity, they wowed a packed Spark Arena with their catchy batch of blended Irish/Celtic pop songs.
Tonight’s bill read like a celebration of women in pop. With the Australian connection of Adelaide’s Germain, Toni Childs (originally from the States now living in Byron Bay) and Sydney native Natalie Imbruglia all making the trip across the ditch in support and as part of the Australasian leg of The Corrs part world tour.

With the crowd steadily building, Toni Childs kicked off the second set with a subdued entrance, sitting stage-edge for I’ve Got to Go Now, a song tackling domestic abuse.

Childs now 66 years young, revealed quickly that her voice has no diminished power or soul. Along with her seasoned band, she consecutively rattled off a string of her biggest hits, including Stop Your Fussin, House Of Hope and Don’t Walk Away.

Announcing that her first album in many years Its All a Beautiful Noise will see a release next year, Child’s took to the floor and got amongst the crowd for an inspired I Believe In Love.

Positive vibes were foot-printed, as Child’s left ensuing, she remains a star of timeless quality.

By the time Natalie Imbruglia took the stage, all were in the house, including her own fanbase.

Hilariously, Imbruglia recalled that earlier in the day a fan had met her, mentioning she was going to see Natalie tonight, without recognising her during the conversation. Humorous stories aside, Imbruglia delivered with an hour set of her brand of pop delights, culminating with her anthem Torn.

Then The Corrs, and all seats were taken. An air of expectation mixed with the thought of how they are sounding now? filled the arena.

The Corrs go back to 1990 as a family band in formation. Sisters Andrea (lead vocal, Irish/tin whistle), Sharon (fiddle, vocals, keys), Caroline (drums, bodhrán, vocals) and brother Jim (guitar, keys, vocals).

Then there was The Commitments, which Andrea starred in as a 17-year-old.

The hits came big, in a spree in the second half of the last decade of last century. That was a wee while ago.

Opening with a tribal blast of mallets from drummer Caroline, and into Only When I Sleep it was crystal clear The Corrs were back, and in force.

The Corrs sound and charm is built on blending traditional Irish/Celtic musical elements with catchy/contemporary pop tunes. Prominently featuring fiddle and Irish whistle to complement exceptional vocal harmonies, their chemistry recalls the Beach Boys Wilson brothers, sonically sounding closer to that band’s offspring vocal act Wilson Phillips.

Glittery outfits were the dress code, and juxtaposed with the traditional jig Lough Erin Shore, you could hear and see why The Corrs gained mass appeal.

On No Frontiers Andrea left the stage, leaving Sharon and Caroline to showcase their vocal prowess, with Jim accompanying on keys. To be sure, these wahine can sing.

Irish culture embraces the arts, with the practice of early education in dance, singing and learning an instrument. In the case of The Corrs, it all makes sense, mixed with the nurturing of tradition and an elevation towards natural talent. Examples were on show with Sharon’s precision fiddle work on Forgiven Not Forgotten, and Caroline’s ability to segue into the bodhrán on the same tune.

Not only sounding great, but they also looked great. Andrea led with sparkles and twirls, and that distinctive voice.

Sharon wielded a mean fiddle throughout and complemented vocal harmonies finely.

Caroline exhibited solid drumming. Her hair was blowing all night thanks to a carefully positioned wind machine. Jim held back and sensibly let his sisters steal the spotlight. By all accounts a good lad.

Vocal harmonies shone on Ellis Island, a song introduced as an ode to immigration.

The influence of Fleetwood Mac appeared with interpretations of their compositions Little Lies and Dreams. All the while Andrea and Sharon gelled vocally, and often played in tandem (with violin & whistle).

So Young went off, with Andrea dancing as if drawing from her childhood.

A sense of delight was in the air, and with a triple play encore including hits Runaway and Breathless.

The Corrs crescendoed the night to prove their longevity as a contemporary/pop staple act. Slán go fóill.

The Corrs Setlist: Only When I Sleep, Give Me A Reason, Summer Sunshine, Lough Erin, Forgiven, What Can I Do, Little Lies, Don’t Say You Love Me, Little Wing, No Frontiers, Joy Of Life, Ellis Island, Haste To the Wedding, Radio, Queen Of Hollywood, Dreams, So Young, I Never Loved You Anyway; Encore, Runaway, Breathless, Toss The Feathers.

Mike Beck

Photography by Leonie Moreland

The Corrs

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Germein and Natalie Imbruglia

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