In a 1998 French and Saunders skit, the comedy duo hilariously impersonated the Corrs, portraying the Irish family band as dreamy new-age folk clones. At the time, this wasn’t far off from how the group was perceived: their blend of soft rock and Celtic fusion placed them somewhere between Enya and Fleetwood Mac’s Mirage era. Their early records often suffered from the overly polished, saccharine production typical of late-90s adult contemporary.
But tonight’s show is a different story. As Caroline Corr’s thunderous drum beats and a swirling synthesizer intro announce the band’s arrival, they launch into a soaring rendition of Only When I Sleep. Gone is the softness of their earlier sound; instead, the instrumentation is bold and gritty, layered with crunchy guitars and rumbling basslines. At the center of it all is Andrea Corr, whose powerful voice, textured with a gorgeous rasp, adds a raw intensity. Flitting around the stage in her black dress, she exudes charisma before stepping up to the mic to deliver a spellbinding vocal performance.
What stands out most is the emotional weight Andrea brings to every lyric. During Give Me a Reason, it feels as though she’s channeling the pain of the toxic relationship that inspired the track, pulling the audience back to 2001. Similarly, Forgiven, Not Forgotten gains a brooding, gothic edge when Sharon Corr sets down her violin to harmonize on the chorus. Even Andrea’s tin whistle solo, pressed close to the mic, radiates a focused intensity.
The rest of the band takes a little longer to match her energy. They hit their stride during a slower section of ballads and traditional Irish tunes, though the momentum dips slightly here. However, they regain steam for the final stretch. I Never Loved You Anyway brims with a grungy defiance that would make even Olivia Rodrigo take note. It’s so dynamic, it leaves their classic hit Runaway feeling underwhelming by comparison. Fortunately, Breathless closes the night on a high, its infectious energy igniting the audience, who fill the aisles dancing—much to the dismay of security.
Once easy to lampoon, the Corrs prove tonight that they’re anything but a punchline. Their performance is bold, impassioned, and utterly captivating.
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