I'M not usually the sort of person to say 'I told you so' but when The Shires played Blackburn last April I did say that they were destined for bigger and better things.

Fast forward nine months and the country duo - Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle - are bounding on to the stage of Manchester Arena ahead of the triumphant return of The Corrs.

It's always hard being the support act, possibly even harder for arena shows which lack any kind of real intimacy.

But no-one appeared to have told that to The Shires who stormed through their set, mainly comprising the upbeat songs from their debut album Brave.

To prove how engaged the audience was, a request for them to turn on their phones and wave them in the air during a cover of Dolly and Kenny's Islands in the Stream, created a magical effect as like thousands of stars twinkling in the night sky.

Ostensibly a country outfit, songs like Saturday Night, Nashville Grey Skies and All Over Again showcased some wonderful harmonies and hook lines and in an all-too brief set they completely won over the audience, many of whom were still settling in their seats at the start of their set.

Then it was on to the main attraction.

I'm not sure what they have in the water around Dundalk but 10 years since their last live shows and The Corrs don't appear have changed at all - sisters Andrea, Sharon and Caroline still look like supermodels.

A stunning start with a silhouetted Caroline thumping out tribal rhythms slightly stalled with the first two songs being from the band's new album White Lights.

But as more and more classic material was rolled out and the leather clad Andrea whirled around stage like a punk leprechaun, the show picked up pace.

Let's face it, The Corrs have never been the height of muso cool. But who cares? Millions of album sales speak the themselves and the audience - most of whom had worn slightly less well than their heroes - were just delighted to see them back on the road again.

But this was no 'going through the motions' show.

All four siblings had looks of genuine delight as the audience roared their appreciation for the big hits such as Runaway and Young and Breathless.

Highlights included a powerhouse cover of Fleetwood Mac's Dreams and Ellis Island, which showcased their heart-melting harmonies to perfection.

Behind all the glitz, spectacular light shows and co-ordinated wardrobe (black leather was the theme of the night) The Corrs at heart retain a folk tradition with fiddle, tin whistle and bodrhan integral to their sound.

After a 10-year hiatus, it was just nice to have them back.