IT WAS cold on Dublin’s NorthWall Quay yesterday. The sky was dark grey and a sharp wind howled, but the scores of youngsters waiting outside The O2 arena for the Cheerios Childline Concert couldn’t have cared less.
“I’m here since 10 o’clock this morning,” said Laura (16) from Ballybrack in Dublin. “I’m here to see JLS . . . they’re just the best.”
Would it all be worth the cold nine-hour wait? “Yeah, definitely,” she replied.
Laura was one of dozens of teenagers who had seemingly taken a day off school to come to see their heroes at the sold-out gig.
JLS were joined on the bill for the charity concert, which was expected to raise more than €400,000, by last year’s X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, girl group the Saturdays, electro pop act Cascada, Brit Award winner Taoi Cruz, boy band the Boulevard and Irish crooners Westlife.
“Croke Park was the last time we played here, which was a year and a half ago now,” said Westlife’s Shane Filan. “It’s a bit of a comeback tonight and we’re really looking forward to it.”
His bandmate Nicky Byrne said the Childline Concert held a special place in Westlife’s collective heart, as it was where the band received a big break back in 1999. “It really is a good thing for everyone – the charity, the kids, the music industry and the country,” Byrne said.
