JLS are 'outta this world' at the Odyssey
by STACEY HEANEY
JLS rocked the Odyssey Arena this week as they arrived in Belfast for four sold out concerts in the city, bringing a show that really is 'Outta This World'.
The boy band, who released their second album 'Outta This World' in November, are touring the UK and Ireland with their first arena tour, but from this performance you would think they were seasoned pro's.
Fans went wild as the four members of JLS soared above their heads, flying over the 10,000 strong crowd in a flash car - and it was the first of many surprises in store for fans.
Kicking off the night with the title track to the latest album, 'Outta This World', the boys were all swagger and style as they cruised over the crowd.
Having made it back to the stage, set up like an American drive-thru, the band launched into new track 'That's My Girl' and forthcoming single 'Eyes Wide Shut', featuring Tinie Tempah, a sure-fire hit, which is destined for the top of the charts.
Singer Aston Merrygold, whose family are originally from Dunmurry, reminded the packed crowd of his local origins, with his proud family descending on the city to support him for the gigs.
Intricate costumes, Michael Jackson-esque dancing and vocals that showed just why JLS made it all the way to the final of X Factor in 2008 were the order of the day.
Transforming into suits, reminiscent of the American civil war era, and surrounded by vampiric dancers, the guys launched into 'Heal This Heartbreak', an album track from their self-titled debut album, their massive hit One Shot' and the number one smash 'Beat Again', before a wall of fire descended and the guys performed Rihanna's 'Umbrella', a song which takes them back to their X Factor days.
The band, Aston, Marvin Humes, Jonathan 'JB' Gill and Oritse Williams, had the Belfast crowd eating out of their hands as they sang, danced and back-flipped their way through the almost two hour performance.
Slowing things down, the guys took to a walkway which took them out across the crowd once again, where they caused hysteria amongst the coloured-hoodie wearing fans, performing several new album tracks and finishing with the number one Children In Need single 'Love You More'.
It was boy band Heaven for fans as the band paid tribute to two of their favourite boy band's, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, singing hits from the US giants such as 'I Want It That Way' and 'Pop'.
Next up was a giant robot, Titan, who joined the boys on stage for 'Superhero', wowing fans, who then went wild for the number one smash 'The Club Is Alive'.
Back on stage for the encore, JLS returned to their roots wearing their individual 'colour' as they finished the night with the huge number one hit 'Everybody In Love', and the fans certainly were in love with JLS as they left the Odyssey Arena.
Some 40,000 fans saw JLS during their four night stay in Belfast and anyone who was lucky enough to have tickets was certainly not disappointed. The boys pulled out all the stops for their first arena tour, proving they are the number one boy band for this generation.
Ulster Star
14/01/2011
