How can it be a year since the last Irlam Live? I love this very special event that is independently owned and operated every year, running for three days but I can only manage the one and guess which day I was there?
A quick security check and I am in
On Sunday arrival I am greeted at the box office with friendly smiles and given my wristband. There is more security than they have ever had before and a man with a metal detector gives me the once over with it. Is there a problem – only my keys in my pocket that I show him. Better to be safe than sorry and they are very quick at letting everyone through after bags are searched.
There are two stages, a dance stage/marquee – which is very popular with the young (and several older) people. The DJs are well known and everyone is dancing to the thumping beats and flashing lights. It is also used for bingo, karaoke, comedy and tribute acts over the three days.
The food vans and stalls are around the outer part of the field, which is sloped for great views wherever you are sat/stood. It is the right size that gives it an intimate feeling.
Backstage is quiet, I chat with some of the artists
I make my way backstage and it is quiet. I need a coffee – a lovely cappuccino, one of the best I have tasted. I sit and watch as the place comes to life. Everything is so well organised. Dressing rooms with names of the acts on the front. The DJs I do not know as it is not my thing, but they greet each other and chat about where they have been working – Ibiza and other fabulous places.
A massive tour bus is coming towards me, crikey it is a tight squeeze and who is it? I don’t think anyone knew this was coming backstage! People are running around. Cars need to be moved so it can park up. Have you guessed who it is? Matt Goss – well that certainly is an entrance. His band hop off and wander around but Matt stays on until he goes straight on stage at 9pm.
Let Loose, Lee Murray, Rob Jeffrey, Matthew James Pateman (former Bad Boys Inc frontman who joined 2023) and who replaced Richard Wermerling, are backstage. I only recognise Lee. They had seven Top 30 hits between 1994-1997. It is 2.45pm and they go on stage for a 30 minute set. ‘Crazy For You’. ‘Seventeen’. ‘Best In Me’ ‘One Night Stand’. ‘Make It With You’. Yes I remember them all. A great performance.
Someone mentions A1 are just around the corner – what – let me get in there! They are sat on a sofa and all smile and wave when they see me.
Why would A1 not come to Irlam?
Mark Read and Paul Marazzi come over to me smiling. We have a little chat before they make their way to the stage. Yes this is one of the groups I have photographed from when they first started in 1998 so of course they recognise me but I always keep a distance as I am there to take photos. I thank them for coming to perform at Irlam Live as they are usually performing at sell out stadiums in Asia. “Why wouldn’t we”? says Mark with a huge smile. Down to earth lads still and they look very much the same. I must look like an old lady to them, well I am!
I go round to the front of the stage, camera in hand. The back lit screen comes alive, A1 pictures from the old days. Ben Adams with his curtains hair cut, so cute. Norwegian Christian Ingebrigtsen. Mark and Paul. Pictures on beaches. Happiness and memories. Loud music and ready or not, here they come, walking onto the stage. What a joy to see them. So professional. Every dance move co-ordinated. The hits keep coming. “Be The First to Believe’ (1999) ‘’Here We Come’. ‘same Old Brand New You’. Every Time’. ‘Caught In The Middle’. ‘Take On Me’.
It is a 45 minute set and I love every minute of it. They chat to the audience. Ben jumps off the stage and leans over the fans behind the barrier. They can’t believe it!
It all ends too soon. I am backstage and Christian and Mark are leaving. They stop and have a few words. Mark says he can’t wait to see my photos and asks where I will put them. He asks if I have websites? Instagram? No, I don’t know how to do any of that I tell him! Not for profit North West Bylines is the place to see them!
Alison Limerick is next on stage. ‘Where Love Lives’.
Bradley McIntosh – blimey he is good!
Who is this I hear on stage? Bradley McIntosh who was in S Club, formed in 1998 by Simon Fuller. Remember the hits? ‘Bring It All Back’. ’Two In A Million’. ’S Club Party’ ‘Reach’ ‘Natural’. ‘Dont Stop Moving’. ‘’Have You Ever’ – yes that was S Club! They sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and 4.4 million singles in the UK.
Bradley is doing a DJ set for an hour.
I wonder how he will go down with the crowd? Blimey, he is really good. He plays songs that the crowd want to sing and dance to, including some S Club! He smiles and chats to the crowd – nice lad and everyone is happy. He was totally not what I expected, so much better. I enjoyed his set.
A group called Bus Stop are on next, who were there last year.
The headliner Matt Goss, who everyone is now waiting for
At last, time for the headliner, Matt Goss (Bros). His band are all on stage. The second tent has closed and everyone is now ready for Matt. Bros were twins Matt and Luke Goss with their friend Craig Logan. Let me take you back to 1988, when Brosmania was in full force – ‘When Will I Be Famous’. ‘I Owe You Nothing’. ‘Drop The Boy’. Fans would scream and chase them where ever they went – with lust! Bros have sold 16 million records worldwide.
Matt walks on stage in his denim jeans and jacket and the audience erupts.
The set looks very Las Vegas, hardly surprising as that is where Matt has lived and worked for many years with a residency at Ceasars Palace.
He sings the Bros hits but with a different edge to them. He keeps telling the people sat in deck chairs to come to the stage. They are happy where they are with a drink in their hand.
It is an hour set of none stop songs. ‘When The Saints Go Marching In ‘ has the whole crowd singing along at the top of their voices and it seems to be one of Matt’s favourite to sing. He puts a lot of energy into his performance.
See you next year at Irlam Live!
It is the end of Irlam Live for another year. It is very much a family event and 85% are local residents. Get your tickets for next year – you will have a blast.
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