Lionel Richie and Shane Filan Wow The Punchestown Crowd

Boasting a strong, if somewhat eclectic line-up, this one-day festival at the Kildare landmark was blessed with warm, dry weather and occasional sunshine making an appearance throughout what was a long day’s entertainment.

Early in the day, Steve Harley churned out Cockney Rebel hits like, ‘Judy Teen’, ‘Mr Soft’, his version of ‘Here Comes The Sun’ and, of course, ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me’). A still youthful-looking Albert Hammond reminded us just how many great tunes he’s penned. Apart from his own evergreen hits – ‘It Never Rains In Southern California’, ‘The Free Electric Band’ and the sublime, ‘99 Miles From LA’ among them – it’s easily forgotten that his tunes include ‘The Air That I Breathe (The Hollies) and ‘When I Need You’ – the latter a mega hit for Leo Sayer.

Offering something completely different, Sister Sledge turned the tarmac into a disco floor with irresistibly danceable gems like, ‘We Are Family’, ‘Lost In Music’, ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’ and ‘Frankie’.

Corrine Bailey Rae delivered a perfectly-paced and relaxed early-evening set that proved she still has what it takes: the ever popular ‘Put Your Records On’ sounded better than ever. Meanwhile blue-eyed soul came in the shape of James Morrison, proving particularly popular with the ladies (especially when he removed his jacket!). He performed a soulful set that included hits like the upbeat ‘Wonderful World’ and smouldering ballads like ‘You Give Me Something’ and ‘Broken Strings’.

Putting on what – to this scribe at least – was an unexpectedly strong performance, Shane Filan proved hugely popular with the crowd and any doubts about his placing so high on the bill were soon dispelled. Introduced onstage by the Sunday World’s Eddie Rowley he was greeted like a long lost son. With a more rock-orientated band behind him, he wisely stuck mainly to Westlife classics such as ‘What About Now’, ‘Flying Without Wings’, ‘Uptown Girl and inevitably ‘You Raise Me Up’, his voice sounding strong and assured.

Darkness had fallen by the time the man of the moment appeared, but right from the start there were problems with the sound as Lionel Richie’s voice could barely be heard above the band. It took a few numbers into the set to get things right – including a change of microphone and wireless kit and the rapid repositioning of PA speakers. In the end the sound was near perfect and the 67 year old’s voice sounded as clear, strong and familiar as ever.

It’s easy to forget just how many huge hits he’s enjoyed. Apart from the truly big ones, catchy ‘80s r'n'b tunes like ‘Running With The Night’ and heartfelt ballads, ‘Penny Lover’ and ‘Stuck On You’ (all from his Can’t Slow Down album) have worn well over the years. More pop-oriented fare like ‘You Are’ and ‘My Destiny’ stood up equally well. There was room too for early Commodores hits including ‘Sail On’ and the funky ‘Brickhouse’, which was extended into a dancefloor workout.

Then there were the show-stoppers, which were sprinkled generously throughtout the set: ‘Easy (Like Sunday Morning)’ with Richie sat at the grand piano; ‘Hello (Is It Me You’re Looking For?’); ‘Three Times A Lady’ and ‘Say You, Say Me’. He implored the ladies in the crowd to replace Diana Ross on their duet hit ‘Endless Love’ – and they duly obliged. The place went mental during a manic ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’.
The USA for Africa hit on which he performed, ‘We Are The World’, made for an impassioned vocal from Richie. And inevitably, his best-known creation - the multi rhythmic, ‘All Night Long’ – closed the proceedings in spectacular style.
Colm O’Hare