The 31st of October saw the Newcastle Entertainment Centre host the iconic Irish band The Corrs for a night full of nostalgia and beautiful music. The Corrs were joined by the perfect accompaniment of special guests, with homegrown song-bird Natalie Imbruglia, Emmy award-winning US Songstress Toni Childs and Adelaide sister act Germein rounding out the line-up for a national tour that has received rave reviews in every city held.

Germein took to the stage first, with the three sisters, Georgia, Clara and Ella bringing their own style of Indie-Pop to the Steel City patrons which intern, lapped up! The Adelaide born trio, who were on their second tour with the Irish super-group, were full of smiles and energy as they played their songs, ‘Talking’ and the acoustic version of ‘Suitcase.’ Germein’s set was the perfect beginning for a night of powerful female vocalists.

The powerhouse that is Toni Childs was up next, her vocals as strong as ever as she belted out hit after hit, including ‘Stop Your Fussin”, ‘Don’t Walk Away’, ‘House Of Hope’ and ‘I’ve Got To Go Now’. Her connection made all the more stronger as Toni explained she wanted to “sing for us” as she battled through some technical issues. Proving that age and time mean nothing when you possess pure talent, Toni belted out her latest release ‘Lift’ Then much to the delight of fans the woman who is arguably one of the best female solo vocalists ever, then made her way into the middle of those seated centre stage to get up close to those who adoringly sang along with ‘I Beleive In You’.

Natalie Imbruglia, known for her transition from soap star to respected artist, made sure none left disappointed playing everything that would be on any fan request list including ‘Torn’, ‘Wishing I Was There’, ‘Wrong Impression’, ‘Shiver’, ‘Smoke’, and ‘Big Mistake’. The charismatic beauty twirled and danced around the stage as she shared some of her newer tracks, one co-written with The Strokes in Byron Bay, titled ‘Maybe It’s Great’ and ‘Just Like Old Times’ which both featured on Natalie’s 2021 album ‘Firebird’.

The Corrs took to the stage. opening with ‘Only When I Sleep.’ Looking ageless and as perfect as they did nearly 30 years ago when they first debuted their unique brand of pop-rock, heavily infused with traditional Irish influences to fans around the world. The family affair that is The Corrs, sisters Andrea, Sharon and Caroline and brother Jim kicked off their 1.5-hour set with an enthusiasm that never waivered, giving punters exactly what they wanted- bestseller after massive hit after award-winning tracks; including ‘Summer Sunshine’, ‘What Can I Do’, ‘I Never Loved You Anyway’, ‘So Young’ and ‘Forgiven Not Forgotten’

The four-piece delighted fans with covers of Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing as well as their tribute to Fleetwood Mac with songs ‘Dreams’ & ‘Little Lies’ before Attendees were treated to instrumentals like ‘Erin Shore’ with a range of instruments such as a tin whistle and a traditional drum. The family unit closed out the night with a standing ovation for the encore of ‘Runaway’ and ‘Breathless’.

This was an event that was evoking, magical and beautiful. Evoking in it's power to transport you to another time. Magical that the music was as impactful as the time you first heard it. Beautiful as it was ageless, the young, the mid and the old all sang together in the perfect demonstration that age is truly just a number. We loved every second of it!

A big thank you to Apex Entertainment and Maric Media for having us along, we had such a great night.

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By Michelle Symes

October 2023

The Corrs - Downunder Tour