By Thom Kennedy

Last updated 14:12, Tuesday, 26 August 2008

The first day of Carlisle Live avoided the rain, but the crowd were left in floods of tears by the time the day was through.

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Come dancing: Ronan Keating

A crowd made up a screaming teens, young couples, and clutches of nostalgic women danced, hugged, and sobbed their way through the final date on Boyzone’s comeback tour.

Every mention of the boy band, who hit fame in the 1990s, was met with a deafening squeal of excitement from the massed ranks of teenagers at the front of the stage in Bitts Park on Saturday.

And fans throughout the site seemed happy with their performance.

Vicki Boak, from Carlisle, said: “I have seen Boyzone four times, years ago, and it is really good to see them here.

“We need bigger bands to come to Carlisle as we have always got to travel, and if more people came here we could really make a thing of it.”

Edith Corcoran, from Dumfries and Galloway, added: “I am a long time Boyzone fan, and it’s really nice to see them live in the local area.”

Boyzone played a set littered with costume changes and pop references – at one point the whole band emerged for a Michael Jackson medley, complete with jewel-studded gloves.

The Irish boy band closed Saturday’s events, after firing efficiently through many of their hits, including Father and Son, Isn’t It A Wonder, and encore No Matter What.

But by the time they appeared at dusk, the crowd had already enjoyed other acts including Carlisle’s own Andrew Johnston, Hope, who finished fifth in 2007’s X Factor, and local girl A.M.A.N.D.A.

Wendy Little, from Dumfries, said: “It was good, and all the better for seeing Boyzone at the end.

“We were here from the start, from about 2pm. Andrew Johnston was really good, and we were impressed with Hope.

“They were rubbish on the X Factor, but you could tell they were quite good singers here.”

Joyce Fletcher, who brought her daughters Dominique, 14, and Cherie, 11, from Maryport to see the concert, added: “We are here for Boyzone and McFly, but Andrew Johnston was very good.

“He has a lovely voice, and has got all the girls at the front cheering.”

Although the event appeared to be down in numbers from previous years, staff on the merchandise stall reported a brisk trade.

Andrew Kidd, who manned the stall, said: “We have been busy, we certainly can’t complain.

“There’s maybe less here this year but there’s lots more going on, and it’s a better show.”

Sergeant Mike Kelly added that the event had been a simple one to police.

He said: “There has been no disorder, no crime, nothing at all. Everybody has been in good spirits.

“We are just here really for public reassurance and safety, just like any other function.”

TKennedy@cngroup.co.uk