EVERETT — During Damian McGinty’s first solo Sunday night, a young fan called out from a cheap seat in Comcast Arena, “I love you!”
People across the cavernous venue laughed at the well-timed remark, which fell during a brief pause in McGinty’s performance of “Come by the Hills.”
Most of the pauses are known to fans of Celtic Thunder at this point. The show, which features five male singers from Ireland and Scotland, debuted on PBS in March. Two albums and one DVD later, the quintet has become a minor phenomenon in the United States. Its Sunday show drew about 6,000 people to Comcast Arena.
During the show, the quintet tackled traditional folk music such as “Danny Boy,” along with new compositions and covers of pop hits. Unlike Riverdance, the show doesn’t feature much dancing.
Celtic Thunder’s name is at least a little ironic. The quintet sing their songs with elemental power, sure, but the tightly choreographed show lacks the surprise of a thunderclap or the shock of lightning.
That didn’t dim the enthusiasm of Sunday’s mostly gray-haired crowd, however. Many drove hours to see the spectacle, from as far as Peachland in south-central British Columbia.
And what a spectacle: The show opened with an ominous, hooded figure broadcast on a big screen behind the stage. It warned of the primal sound of drums. A four-piece male backing band took the stage, dressed in kilts, and a female string quartet nestled nearby. Then, with mist from dry ice rolling across the stage, the five singers walked out, wearing black leather coats.
They sang “Heartland,” one of several songs written by Irish songwriter Phil Coulter for the show. From there, each of the five men took turns singing solos. On occasion, they regrouped for another ensemble piece.
Their voices were hard to fault. Tenor Paul Byrom, a 29-year-old Dublin native, was particularly impressive, outshining the rest of the ensemble. The group also includes George Donaldson, 41, and Keith Harkin, 22.
While the men hit each note flawlessly, the stagecraft sometimes felt hammy.
Take Ryan Kelly’s performance of “Heartbreaker,” a Spanish-infused track. Dancing with a dark-haired model, the 30-year-old Irishman sang, “It’s written in the stars above, I’m just addicted to love.” He then swung his arms out awkwardly.
And while the crowd squealed for McGinty’s cover of Paul Anka’s “Puppy Love,” it was hard not to cringe as the 16-year-old pumped his tiny fist near the song’s conclusion.
Instead, the men were at their best when the show was at its simplest, during Kelly’s moving performance of the Eagles’ “Desperado,” or Byrom’s solo on “She.” Neither song was thunderous, but both left you shaking.
Reporter Andy Rathbun: arathbun@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3455
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
