Concert Review
Chris de Burgh
The Meridian Centre
St. Catharines, Onatario
Saturday April 22, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Saturday night the Meridian Centre finally came alive to the sight and sounds of the Legendary Chris de Burgh. The show had been put off due to the pandemic. Canada is one of de Burgh’s favorite countries to play and this was the second time he has graced the stage at the Meridian Centre. A crowd of 2000 sounded like 5000 during many of the standing ovations throughout the evening.
The show started with de Burgh alone on stage for the first six songs. During this segment he altered between playing piano and guitar featuring such songs as “The Hands Of Man” and “Lonely Sky”. De burgh was then joined by his band to perform a series of songs from his Moonfleet and Other Stories album. The stage was decked out with several lanterns to give it the feel of being in a pub. A brief 20-minute intermission followed.
The second set was where the show really took off. “Spanish Train” was the first song to really incite the crowd beyond an enthusiastic applause. From there de Burgh mixed in a few songs from his latest release The Legend of Robin Hood which was came out in 2021. Who doesn’t know “The Lady In Red” and the Toto song “Africa”? It was during the latter song that de Burgh invited everyone to the front of the stage transcending the show into a party like atmosphere.
The band was very solid all night especially guitarist Neil Taylor who shone brightly on the standouts “Don’t Pay The Ferryman” and “High On Emotion” which closed out the main set. Back for an encore which began with the classic “Patricia The Stripper” it resulted with several brassieres being tossed up onto the stage. The night could not have ended on a better note as de Burgh urged everyone to use their phones to light up the arena for the grand finale “Legacy”.
Nine dates into his first full tour of Canada since 2017, we find the band in a very fine form. The crowd was totally into the show and it was a treat for everyone to witness one of the unsung performers of the last century. De Burgh delivered a gem, one of which will give memories of a lifetime for the many who attended.
(Solo)
The Hands of Man
Go Where Your Heart Believes
Missing You
The Tower
In a Country Churchyard
Lonely Sky
Set 1 (Full Band)
The Light on the Bay
Have a Care
My Heart’s Surrender
The Storm
Greater Love
The Moonfleet Finale
Set 2
Last Night
The Ballroom of Romance
A Spaceman Came Travelling
Spanish Train
The Tale of Robin Hood
Home From the War, Pt.1
Live Life, Live Well
We’ve Got the Money
Borderline
Say Goodbye to It All
The Lady in Red
Africa (Toto Cover)
The Spirit of Man
Don’t Pay the Ferryman
High on Emotion
Encore
Patricia the Stripper
Legacy
