Show: Nathan Carter
Location: Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
Date: Wednesday, 9th March 2022
Time: 19.30
Running Time: 140 Minutes
Performers: Nathan Carter, Nathan Carter Band, Claudia Buckley
Age Rating: All ages
Background
Nathan Kane Tyrone Carter is an Irish country music singer based in the UK and Ireland. He has released ten studio albums and four live albums, several reaching number one, and four live DVDs. He performs pop, Irish folk and country, gaining massive popularity following his cover of the American country song “Wagon Wheel“.
The Show
Despite it being only a Wednesday evening, the Floral Pavilion was packed. An audience of all ages were shown to their seats by the ever helpful Floral staff and there was a real air of excitement and expectation. I haven’t seen Nathan Carter in concert before but was aware that he was popular on the country scene. This evening’s audience proved it!
Claudia Buckley opened the show, backed by a five piece band. They stayed on stage and played their hearts out for most of the show. Set to a backdrop of blue satin drapes and great lighting, we were transported to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House.
Claudia commanded the stage. With blonde hair, high heels and a sparkly jumpsuit, Dolly Parton would have been proud of her. Indeed, she closed the first half with a rousing rendition of 9 – 5 and the audience happily joined in. Her voice as clear as a bell we enjoyed a selection of songs including a beautiful version of Shania Twain’s ‘Still the One’. This lady is a class act. Successful in her own right, she currently has an album out ‘Hell Raisin’ Flower’. She treated us to one of the songs from the album ‘Diane’ (a catchy Country tune, with a cautionary tale) which is her new single.
The Main Event
After a break, the main event. There was a huge round of applause for Nathan Carter as he appeared on stage. Born in 1990, Nathan spent his childhood years in Liverpool. However, he has strong Irish influences with family roots in Newry, Co. Down.
The show was a real family affair with a friendly vibe and lots of banter between Nathan and the audience. There was a section of the show where dedications were read out. These ranged from a welcome to the youngest audience member (four years old) to congratulating a couple for 50 years of marriage! Nathan’s Grandfather joined Nathan on stage for a tune and was a resounding success. Shortly followed by Nathan’s Grandmother who was presented with a bouquet of flowers to celebrate her 82nd birthday the following day.
Multi-talented
This young man was born to perform. Wonderfully talented on the piano accordion and the piano he can also sing! (His bio points out he was head chorister in The Liverpool Boys’ Choir which isn’t surprising.)
Nathan has six number one albums in Ireland and a top 20 UK album release with the CD `Beautiful Life’. He treated us to songs that appear on his new album ‘Little Old Town’. The album went straight to number one on the iTunes Country charts following its release at the end of November last year.
A very touching song, ‘Wings to Fly’ was dedicated to his best friend Nicky James who passed away. (Nathan is headlining a charity fundraiser on 19th March in the Liverpool Irish Centre in his memory raising funds for Alder Hey Hospital.) Nathan is also an accomplished songwriter.
Claudia returned to the stage for a couple of duets. Dolly and Kenny’s ‘Islands in the Stream’ was a stand out song for me and the audience joined in!
There was a brilliant medley of Glen Campbell songs, lots of Irish staples and the crowd sang along appreciatively to the ‘Leaving of Liverpool’. My personal favourite of the night was Nathan singing ‘May the Road Rise to Meet You’ with just a piano accompaniment.
Finally
I must mention the band. Comprising drums, bass player, acoustic guitar, keyboards, fiddler extraordinaire and keyboard/sax and oboe players. They were so talented and energetic. You couldn’t fail to clap your hands or tap your feet throughout.
An extensive tour of UK and Ireland is planned, as well as ‘Carter on the Costa’ in October (a week in Spain that his fans can attend). I will make sure to catch a show in the future.