These days I often forget why I’ve come into the kitchen, but take me to a Steps concert and I can remember every word from my teens.
2017 marked 20 years in pop, yet despite their 90s legacy the band looks set for the biggest come back in lycra-clad-cowboy-boot-rootin’-scootin’ history.
Their idea of a one-off show to celebrate their anniversary resulted in a huge arena tour, a gold-selling album Tears on the Dancefloor, and now they are on the road again.
On Saturday night the party came to Colchester’s Castle Park.
The evening was a festival of pop, a riot of neon and unashamedly good fun.
Even before Steps hit the stage, the party mood was set.
Supporting act, Blue, were surprisingly stand-out.
Famed for their hits One Love and All Rise, their close harmonies were impressive and the set was peppered with humour – cheekily embracing the dance moves they were known for 18 years previously.
Just as the sun began to set, Steps were welcomed with rapturous applause.
One of the five-piece, Lee, was unable to perform because of a family illness, but these touring veterans pulled-off the last minute re-staging with ease.
The band – once quoted as looking like ‘tropical fruit’ – didn’t disappoint with elaborate costumes.
There were sequins, glitter and tassels.
At one point, the backing dancers came on with giant disco balls. This wasn’t a subtle gig. The audience clearly had a ball.
The energy built with the first chord of every song.
Kicking off with Summer of Love (in bright magenta), other hits included It’s The Way you Make Me Feel, One for Sorrow and then the encore, Tragedy, with the trademark routine.
New songs included No More Tears on the Dancefloor and Glitter and Gold.
The band’s friendship was a pleasure to watch as they misbehaved – slapping bums and pulling faces at one another.
At one point, H, who had some serious fans in the audience, forgot his lines – sending the others into contagious giggles.
Barely looking like they’ve aged at all, it’s obvious they still love to perform.
This is a band with longevity past the nostalgia. Here’s to the next 20 years.
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