[ad_1]
Singer says Boyzone, solo and career on his mind
He had just returned from a trip to South Africa and briefly left the camera to help his daughter push the stroller upstairs.
The charm of Ireland is so evident that we can’t help but snort inwardly during our conversation when you don’t say anything. When you think about it, when you’re face to face with one of the most famous (and need we say very good-looking, superficial-sounding) singers, it’s not the best song to play in your head — there’s Songwriter, Ronan Keating.
His repertoire resembles the lovelorn themes of a man’s romantic adventures over the years. There’s no escaping the fact that talking to Keating is a surreal moment, and his music has been the soundtrack for most of your life.
“I love music myself; I love how it makes me feel,” he explains, explaining what it’s like to have his songs play around the world as a beacon of love and hope. “I love where it takes me. It instantly takes you to a time and a place (with the flick of his thumb).”
He went on to add that, like most artists, he’s had a tough time during the pandemic. “I’ve been struggling mentally for the past two years and not showing my performance, which is what I’ve been doing since I was 16.”
happy to be on stage
Keating was selected from an audition in an Irish newspaper for a boy band formed by talent manager Louis Walsh. Boyzone was formed in 1993 with Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch and Keating. They were the first Irish entertainer to have four No. 1 hits on the UK charts. They broke many sales records, regardless Said to be the best-selling album of all boy groups.
Six years later, they parted ways and started solo careers; in 2008, after seven years, they came together again for another record-breaking world tour. The tragic death of Gately in 2009 hit them hard, but the band still put out chart-topping albums and released their last album to date in 2018, Thanks, good night, the trip also took them to Dubai. Keating had a terrific career outside of the band, performing with Elton John at Madison Square Garden, singing for the Pope and serving as a judge at X Factor Australia.
The well-dressed 45-year-old is looking forward to traveling to the city where he plays with Boyzone, shoots music videos and hosts charity gala events. The pandemic has severely affected the artist, and he says only time will tell how much it takes him. But now he’s happy to be back on stage to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Coca-Cola Arena on March 18.
“It was a real struggle and it had a big impact on me,” he admitted. “It’s such a joy to be back on stage again on the 18th. The Coca-Cola Arena looks incredible. I appreciate my song being a part of other people’s lives because it’s such a big part of my life.”
The reason he is most excited is that he will be doing a solo show in Dubai after almost 15-20 years, he can’t wait to get back to the city, besides concerts he is looking forward to meeting friends, exploring nightlife, and just being in the Enjoy the sunshine in “the most beautiful gem of the city”. Excerpts from our Zoom conversations:
How does it feel to be back on the Dubai stage?
It’s always a pleasure to play a shiny new arena. It will be incredible. Everyone’s going to be happy with the list I put together for tonight, because there’s no curveball; it’s just songs that people want to hear. There are also some Boyzones out there for people who want to fix their Boyzones. You just take the lid off and I’m good to go. It’s been 2 years since I was blocked. I’m like a racehorse ready to go, but caught in a trap!
Your songs are as important today as when you first sang them. What makes them so evergreen?
Song selection… Whether you’re writing a song or recording someone else’s song, find the right song. It’s their message and it’s their voice.
It’s really important to work with the producers and make those songs sound timeless.Producers like Stephen Lipson that I’ve worked with when you don’t say anything, with Annie Lennox. When you listen to Annie’s songs on Diva’s album, they’ve also stood the test of time; you can listen to it any year and they’re still relevant.
So I think the producers I’ve worked with over the years have really left their mark on it and made this song forever.
At 16, you have it all – mass hysteria, fan adoration, world tour. But looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t take yourself too seriously. I wish I could have enjoyed it more in the 90s – it’s vaguely passed and I take it seriously. I mean it’s important; you have to take it seriously, but I can’t just circle it because the next day we’re on a plane, then we’re in the next city, and then we’re in the next city.
I didn’t enjoy it. Didn’t see where I was, didn’t feel the energy I was supposed to have, and didn’t really celebrate the success we had.
Are you better now?
Yes. I can experience towns, cities and people. I’m 45 now, and for me, life is for living. You realize this as you get older; it’s about going through your life experiences with your loved ones, so I make the most of it every day.
How do you balance it today?
My family stayed with me as much as possible. We went to a big charity event in South Africa and Storm (his wife) and I brought our young children. Older people are here (in the UK) they have jobs or are at school, so it’s harder for them to travel. But we travel as a unit as possible. This is very important. I want them to have a chance to experience what I have.
As part of Boyzone, you may be used to relying on each other. What are the joys and challenges of being a soloist?
I love that it’s my time; it’s me, the decisions I make, it’s all on me; the creative moments I pour into them, they come from me. It’s a powerful feeling when I’m alone on stage doing my thing, and it’s just me.
I miss the camaraderie (of the band), I miss the friendship, the brotherhood, the humor, the bubble we created around us to protect you. It also has some kind of irreplaceable energy. So I miss that in the band, but from a personal standpoint, I love that whole-hearted energy – what you see is what you get.
In addition to your music, you work to raise awareness of breast cancer through the Mary Keating Foundation. What’s the most important message you want people to get from it?
Early detection is your best chance of survival. “Educate people about cancer has always been the Mary Keating Foundation’s most important message because when our mom died, she died of the most curable form of breast cancer, heartbreakingly. If we had caught it earlier, she would still be able to do it today. With us, so education is key. My mom’s generation is afraid to go to the doctor and get breasts checked. As men today, we are afraid to get our testicles checked. We are afraid of bad news or a big C. (We need to ) get rid of it and be body conscious; listen to your body, listen to the information your body is trying to give you, and then take action. You know, go to the doctor and say–“Oh, I’m in pain, I’m not feeling well, I’m tired”. Just go ask this question. You want to live a long and healthy life.
Catch Ronan Keating live on March 18 at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Coca-Cola Arena. The concert is managed by Navin Rishi’s Speed Entertainment Dubai and By Arrangement with Solo. For tickets visit Platinumlist.net, Bookmyshow.com, coca-cola-arena.com
[ad_2]
Source link
