Irish pop singer Ronan Keating has been roasted on social media during his performance at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Performing alongside Ricki-Lee, the former Boyzone star sang his hit song When You Say Nothing At All (the cover of the Keith Whitley song) and then performed Lovin’ Each Day with the Aussie pop diva.
To be clear, fans (in the main) did not question the quality of the performance.
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But questions did quickly arise about Keating’s relevance to a 2024 audience.
When You Say Nothing at All was a hit in 1999, and Lovin’ Each Day was released two years later.
In fact, Keating’s last big hit in Australia was in 2002, while Boyzone’s second incarnation ended in 2019.
When Keating appeared for the pre-Cup entertainment, observers all quickly took to social media to ask one question.
“Ronan Keating … always wondered who makes these decisions. Racing industry trying to lure the younger crowd but here we have a man whose last hit was in 1991. Embarrassing,” one fan said on X (formerly Twitter).
While another fan asked: “I’m sorry, but who organised the entertainment for the Cup?? Like really? Ronan Keating???”
And another: “How desperate is the Melbourne Cup 2024 getting in Ronan Keating, was no one else available?”
And another: “Having lived in the UK in 1998 when Boyzone were everywhere, Ronan Keating‘s present-day revival as an Australian B-lister continues to feel very surreal.”
And another: “As an Irishman apologies to Melbourne for Ronan Keating making random noises. Ye’re welcome to keep him. We really don’t want him back.”
And another: “Ronan Keating is such random entertainment.’
Keating did have his supporters, however.
“Great performance from Ronan Keating, with his classic hit, “When You Say Nothing At All” at the Melbourne Cup,” said influencer Sue Diamond.
Keating earlier confirmed he and his family were here to stay for the time being.
“We are in Sydney mainly and we will be here until next year,” Keating told 9News.
“We have re-evaluated life a little bit and the plan is to spend more time here in Australia and near family, we love being here.”
The couple – who married in married in 2015 after meeting while the former Boyzone star was a judge on x-Factor in 2011 – wanted to give their two children an “Aussie lifestyle”.
His wife hails from Australia, she grew up on a cattle station in Far North Queensland before moving to Los Angeles where she interned at HBO.
“Storm and I, we generally love being in Australia, first-hand, but to be here this week and in particular in Melbourne and at the Melbourne Cup,” he said.
“It is very special, the effort everybody makes and the sheer beauty of this place.
“It is quite magnificent.”
– With PerthNow