The Corrs | MANILA CONCERT SCENE

Twenty-two years is a long time. Just ask the Filipino fans of Irish band The Corrs. So when it was announced in March that the Corr siblings would finally come back to Manila after 22 years, the anticipation began. Fast-forward to October, and The Corrs’ fans flocked to the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 21 and 22, ready to sing their hearts out and give all the love in the world to the band that’s been a constant in their lives for decades.

Pop-rock sister band Germein opened the night, and the Australian group played their songs “Talking,” “Good for a Girl,” and “Suitcase,” their recent single.

I had goosebumps when Caroline then appeared on stage and played the drums that introduced their opening song, “Only When I Sleep.” The curtains fell and Andrea danced her way to the mic before she sang, and the crowd was immediately under her spell. The Corrs then performed “Give Me a Reason” and “Summer Sunshine.”

“Mabuhay, Manila! Magandang gabi. Masaya kaming makabalik dito,” Andrea greeted the crowd during the first show that weekend. She also said the band really wanted to come back and that their 2001 concert, which was also held in Araneta, was unforgettable.

“There’s a lot of bad times in the world these days, but this is not one of them. Let’s have an amazing night tonight and share the love. Thank you! Salamat!”

The Corrs played instrumental “Lough Erin Shore,” and it was exhilarating seeing each sibling’s talent on display. It then transitioned into “Forgiven, Not Forgotten.” Another infectious song included in the set is “What Can I Do,” and the crowd sang a couple of lines during the chorus. After hearing the fans sing, Andrea said, “You’re amazing!”
They also covered Fleetwood Mac’s “Little Lies,” and Andrea introduced it as a tribute to Christine McVie, the late keyboardist and co-vocalist of the iconic rock band. The Corrs performed “Dreams” as well, another Fleetwood Mac original.

A couple of songs that they also covered that night were The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s ‘”Little Wing” and Jimmy McCarthy’s “No Frontiers,” with Sharon and Caroline as lead vocals.

The Corrs performed their other hits, such as “Don’t Say You Love Me,” “Radio,” and “Queen of Hollywood.” They also paid homage to their roots as the band played traditional instrumental songs: “Joy of Life / Trout in the Bath” and “Haste to the Wedding.”

One of the highlights of the set for me was “Ellis Island,” which Andrea said is very relevant today. Their harmonies gave me goosebumps. You get the feeling that this is a song that’s close to their hearts especially because the band is also known for their philanthropy.
“So Young” and “I Never Loved You Anyway” wrapped The Corrs’ set, with the Manila choir providing additional vocals, and the band was further fueled by the crowd participation.

The fans wanted more and shouted for an encore, and the coliseum shook as everyone stomped their feet.

The Corrs took the stage again, and before introducing the band, Andrea said she was a bit overwhelmed, clearly emotionally moved by their fans.
“Say it’s true; there’s nothing like me and you.” That line is simply nostalgic and unearthed memories that we associate with “Runaway.” Andrea was emotional as she let the crowd sing the chorus. She removed her in-ears and just listened to the crowd.

Cheers also erupted when The Corrs started performing “Breathless,” and Irish traditional folk tune “Toss the Feathers” was the last song of the band’s encore.

The Corrs played two sold out shows that weekend and performed hit after hit for thousands of their Filipino fans. We heard the sound, harmonies, lyrics, and Andrea’s distinct voice that we’ve all listened to countless times, and watching The Corrs perform from their first song to their last was such a thrill. After the confetti has fallen and the show has wrapped, our memories of The Corrs’ undeniable talent and grace coupled with their timeless hits can still leave us breathless.

The Corrs Live in Manila is made possible by PULP Live World.
Words by Ava Sumortin
Photos by Kevin Pableo

Setlist:
Only When I Sleep
Give Me a Reason
Summer Sunshine
Erin Shore / Forgiven, Not Forgotten
What Can I Do
Little Lies (Fleetwood Mac cover)
Don’t Say You Love Me
Little Wing (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
No Frontiers (Jimmy MacCarthy cover) (Sharon and Caroline Corr on lead vocals)
Joy of Life / Trout in the Bath
Ellis Island
Haste to the Wedding
Radio
Queen of Hollywood
Dreams (Fleetwood Mac cover)
So Young
I Never Loved You Anyway

Encore:
Runaway
Breathless
Toss the Feathers

The wait is finally over! It’s been more than two decades since platinum selling artists THE CORRS have graced Philippine shores and serenaded their Filipino fans with their now-legendary repertoire, and PULP Live World is proud to announce that they are – indeed – bringing the magic back with a slated two-night production this October 21 and 22, 2023 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Hailed as the most successful “family band” to emerge from the late 90s (consisting of siblings Andrea Corr on lead vocals, violinist/pianist/vocalist Sharon Corr, drummer/vocalist Caroline Corr and guitarist/vocalist Jim Corr) the group is scheduled to fly across the globe to personally deliver their smash hits “Breathless,” “Runaway,” “What Can I Do” and “All The Love in The World” to their legion of Pinoy followers who have since made the group’s songs the soundtrack to their lives, mainly due to The Corrs’ knack for incredibly sincere songwriting and well-crafted overall sound.

Officially formed in 1990 in Dundalk, County Louth Ireland, the group has released seven critically acclaimed studio albums (including their 1995 debut Forgiven, Not Forgotten and their 1997 follow-up Talk On Corners, their most successful album to date…), numerous singles and have sold a whopping collective of 40 million albums worldwide. They have won 24 awards out of 48 nominations over their career, including a BRIT Award for ‘Best International Band’ in 1999 and two Grammy Award nominations in 2001 for the songs “Breathless” and “Rebel Heart.”

Aside from these accomplishments in the industry, the band and its members are also adored worldwide for their philanthropic activities – and have been cited for their efforts and contributions to various causes and charities, alongside the biggest artists in the world… all while preserving their deep connection to their fans worldwide.

Without a doubt, The Corrs’ decade-spanning career of producing numerous hit songs that have marked the hearts and lives of generations of music fans is something no one should miss; definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for serious music fans to revisit a time when songs were made to be nothing short of excellent and endearing.

These upcoming shows will be a full-circle moment The Corrs returns to the very same venue where they last performed in September of 2001. From longtime fans to younger aficionados who may very well be the same age as their children, the music of The Corrs remains timeless – especially to the Filipino people, who now have two chances to relive music history.

Tickets to The Corrs Live in Manila go on sale starting March 19^th, 2023 at 12 NN, and will be available at all Ticketnet outlets nationwide and online via www.ticketnet.com.ph. This show is proudly presented by PULP Live World.

For further details and updates, keep tuned in to PULP Live World’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and visit the website www.pulp.ph.

#TheCorrsinMNL2023