Last updated 05:38, Friday, 29 August 2008

Boyzone and McFly headlined two days of music in Bitts Park as Carlisle Live was hailed a Bank Holiday weekend success.

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Live and kicking: Left, Go:Audio; right, the crowd at night; far right, Louis Walsh and Shane Lynch judge the Stobart Factor

Crowds were lower than expected but those who did turn up witnessed some excellent performances.

Saturday started with The Boogie Babes performing their fun dance routines, followed by The X-Factor finalists Hope.

Carlisle’s own talent show star Andrew Johnston was next on the bill, captivating crowds with his unique voice.

Special guest judges, X-Factor’s Louis Walsh, Boyzone’s Shane Lynch, vocal coach Lucy Phillips and Andrew Tinkler, watched over the Stobart Factor final. Four regional heats had created hundreds of hopeful entrants, yet only six young potential stars had been chosen to perform at this main event.

The finalists, Alice Barlow, Lucy Bradshaw, Georgia Overton, Ian James Sweeney, Ami Vaziri and January Woodhead, wowed the crowd, with Alice Barlow from Macclesfield the one who shone through to became the winner.

eScala, a classically trained quartet produced a contemporary style of music for Carlisle Live, bursting with energy.

In the Children’s Zone, Ultrabeat’s sound, The Blackout Crew’s rhythm and DJ Krafty’s decks, got Cumbria’s youth into the party spirit for the headliners later that night.

Boyzone – Ronan, Shane, Keith, Stephen and Mikey – walked on to welcoming screams from the Bitts Park crowd.

Playing their hits from the 90s, Carlisle Live witnessed Boyzone at their best. Choreographed with exotic dancers and many costume changes, the main stage came alive for the group’s final tour date – a tour which started last year.

The Irish lads closed the show with encore No Matter What, after A Different Beat, Father & Son, and Isn’t It A Wonder received huge responses.

Sunday’s sun shone for the second day’s bill at Carlisle Live. Thousands returned to watch as the City Girls got the party atmosphere started. Second showstopper was followed Chico, fast becoming a local favourite.

Avenue, Billiam and Go:Audio all performed well, each with their unique style, while in the Children’s Zone, young stars including DJ Ironik, who later took to the main stage, performed alongside 23 Deluxe and Show Me Happiness.

The Hoosiers performed early in the evening, their funky pop warming up the crowd for Sunday headliners McFly.

The guys were on great form having flown in by private jet from performing at the Olympics concert in London.

A huge teenage audience gathered in anticipation of seeing their heroes, and they weren’t disappointed.

Everyone joined in to their smash hits, including 5 Colours In Her Hair and That Girl. The energy and mischievous sense of fun oozed to the crowd, before a fireworks display illuminated the skies and the thousands set about leaving Bitts Park, until next year.

SARAH WRIGHT