The Wanted at The O2, Dublin, 24th March 2013

Boy bands are a strange breed. The world went through a phase where it all it wanted was the next big one. Now, it seems we have reached saturation point, and after two tours, a reality show and a mere four years in the game, The Wanted have decided to call it quits. Following the natural boy band formula, the boys decided to visit The O2 one last time for their farewell tour.

Boy/rock band hybrid The Vamps open The Wanted’s ‘Word Of Mouth’ tour. Bizarrely, the band’s music video for Last Night is shown before they even grace the stage. Not that this bothers the fans as drummer Tristan Evans’ arrival on stage and incites frenzied screams. When his band mates join him, it’s not hard to see why.

Genetically blessed and expertly dressed, singer Brad Simpson, (a Harry Styles doppelganger), cranks up the charm for pop-rock opener Wild Heart. Simpson is well able to throw his weight around the stage, and displays the confidence of a well-seasoned pro.

As he begins shredding along to Last Night, live this time, he is met with raucous applause. Their material is by no means original, but it sure is catchy – Can We Dance follows a similar vein, but the novelty has yet to wear off for the pre-pubescent crowd.

As their set draws to a close, it becomes less of a concert and more of a business pitch, as guitarist James McVey is only too happy to plug the band’s upcoming album. The night ends on a strange note, with a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s Cecilia having the entire crowd singing despite the tender age bracket. The Vamps know who they are and they are not ashamed of it.

It’s time for the The Wanted to show how a boy band really does it. The band remind us via video of their time together and that they have in fact sold ten million records worldwide. The stage is lit to show the boys’ silhouettes, before the curtain drops as the five-piece open with Gold Forever. Harmonies are impressive throughout, but initially the band appear tense and show a lack of unity.

The Wanted are not dancers – what follows is a lot of awkward, well-rehearsed, dramatic walking around. Surprisingly, however, they are great singers, Tom Parker and Jay McGuinness particularly on fan favourite Glow In The Dark.

At times, it almost feels like a bad break-up. The band talk about “going out on a high” and how it’s “all about the fans tonight.” Slowing the pace for Running Out Of Reasons, they finally appear to relax into the set, and that’s when the real fun begins.

The band deviate from boy band norms by picking up instruments for self-written song Demons; all except Jay, that is, who stands awkwardly as the others play on. The show plays out like an elaborate melodrama, complete with flames and smoke for Warzone.

As the boys nip off to change, a Wanted ‘highlights reel’ is played on the screen, with candid camera-esque clips and interviews, before the band elevate from the stage to deliver a medley of Behind Bars, Replace Your Heart and Lose My Mind. Album tracks are well received, but it is singles such as the latter that receive the best reaction.

Irish member Siva Kaneswaran is baffled by the reception – “I can’t stop smiling, it’s ridiculous.” Despite this, he is adamant when it comes to keeping his clothes on, much to the disappointment of the surrounding girls.

The band’s youngest member Nathan Sykes has the most potential when it comes to a solo career, despite almost losing his voice last year, and the twenty year old’s falsetto overpowers throughout the show.

“Don’t you love a good boy band ballad?” he says. Don’t we just – most recent single Show Me Love provokes tears left, right and centre. Here, they seem most relaxed, with Jay pushing Siva playfully down the steps.

The group attempt to dance for Walks Like Rihanna, providing some much needed comic relief, which the crowd lap up. It is evident however, that the band are losing energy, and don’t quite manage to hit the high notes of I Found You.

As the show draws to a close, Nathan informs the crowd that they are like extended family, “and just because you don’t see your family all the time, it doesn’t mean you don’t love them.” Queue tears galore as they launch into the intense finale of All Time Low and Glad You Came.

The cynical among us may be baffled as to how a manufactured boy band such as The Wanted could have had any sort of impact given their short life span. Though disjointed at times, they give an impressive performance that will see them going out on a high, leaving several emotionally unstable girls contemplating a future without them.