0:00:02 > 0:00:05In rural Ireland, country music has never been so popular.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10A host of new country stars have tempted a generation
0:00:10 > 0:00:12to turn their back on the nightclub,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15don their Stetsons and jive the night away
0:00:15 > 0:00:17from Ballymena to Ballydehob.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24This week, we are on the road with Irish country music's biggest star.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Oh, you smell gorgeous!
0:00:27 > 0:00:31Nathan Carter has sold out venues across the country...
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Music is my life.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34..had three number one albums...
0:00:34 > 0:00:37We love Nathan Carter!
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..and has thousands of obsessive fans
0:00:39 > 0:00:41that would make One Direction jealous.
0:00:41 > 0:00:42He is my friend on Snapchat.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44I hope he'd snap me back one day.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Nathan!
0:00:46 > 0:00:52In summer 2015, Carter-mania reached fever pitch
0:00:52 > 0:00:55as Nathan played a record number of shows leading up to his biggest ever
0:00:55 > 0:00:58gig at the marquee in Cork.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Good evening, everybody!
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Welcome to the fanatical world of Irish country music.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25# ..Tryin' to get a move on before the sun
0:01:25 > 0:01:26# I hear my baby comin' in... #
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Hailing from Liverpool,
0:01:28 > 0:01:3225-year-old Nathan Carter exploded onto the Irish music scene
0:01:32 > 0:01:35in 2012 with his massive hit, Wagon Wheel.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38# So rock me, Mama, like a wagon wheel... #
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Since then, Nathan has crisscrossed the country with his band,
0:01:42 > 0:01:47playing sold-out shows for audiences who just can't seem to get enough
0:01:47 > 0:01:50of his fresh take on Irish country music.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52We have so many fans that come to lots of shows.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55I'm sure there are people that will be in Kilkenny tonight that will be
0:01:55 > 0:01:57there tomorrow and Sunday,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00and be at the Marquee as well for the big gig then in Cork.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04I have about 10,000 fans following me on Snapchat.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Part of the appeal of these new country music stars
0:02:07 > 0:02:09is their connection to fans online.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Hi, guys! Looking forward to playing a sold-out show in Kilkenny tonight,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Ballynahinch rugby grounds tomorrow and Cookstown on Sunday.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Hope everyone has a good weekend. See you soon!
0:02:19 > 0:02:23They send Snapchats back, but as you can see,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26it takes hours upon hours to go through them.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29# I'm on the road back to the one I love... #
0:02:29 > 0:02:35Like every band on the road, a healthy, balanced diet is essential.
0:02:35 > 0:02:36So are we stopping at Cavan?
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Silly question. What's it going to be, spicy or southern fried?
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Most people would think we eat, like, extravagantly,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44but we really don't. We have chicken wraps all the time.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46And there is a young girl called Tina in there
0:02:46 > 0:02:48we always have the craic with.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50I used to think that she liked me.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53But it turns out she doesn't really like me that much.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- It's actually Gareth she really likes.- It's you, Gareth.- Oh, no.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- It is. It is, Gareth.- Not at all.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03There she is. Hello, Tina!
0:03:03 > 0:03:05I've never seen you so quiet, Tina, in my life.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08I didn't expect to see you both back in here again.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11In my life! Tina, can I get a bit of extra chicken?
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- You're too good to me.- Have a lovely day, mate.- You too, Tina.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15And don't be kissing too many girls.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- Sure you don't want to come with us? - No, thank you very much.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- Are you sure?- Yes, I'm sure. - I'll put you in the truck.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26It's fantastic stuff.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28And of course, Tina is here.
0:03:28 > 0:03:29Are you all right? Are you full?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- How was your chicken?- I am. That was amazing. Thank you very much.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- Are you all right, boys?- Oh, yes.
0:03:34 > 0:03:35Would you like anything else?
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- No, that is spot on.- Have a lovely day.- Thank you very much.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- See you again.- Chat you later on.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46She's some craic, isn't she?
0:03:54 > 0:03:56ALL: We love Nathan Carter!
0:03:56 > 0:03:59# Our love will last much longer than the road
0:03:59 > 0:04:01# That lies ahead
0:04:01 > 0:04:05# The only thing between us is the night... #
0:04:05 > 0:04:10People travel from Cork, from Dublin, from Mullingar,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12there were a couple came from Mullingar,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and a bus has come from Belfast to be here.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16So you know, they've travelled.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19But they come all over the place. It's amazing.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22You know, I'm gobsmacked every time I see them.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24MUSIC PLAYS, SCREAMING
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Good evening, Kilkenny!
0:04:34 > 0:04:38# Headed down south to the land of the pines
0:04:38 > 0:04:41# I thumbed my way into North Caroline
0:04:41 > 0:04:43# Starin' at the road
0:04:43 > 0:04:46# Pray to God I see headlights
0:04:48 > 0:04:51# I made it down the coast in 17 hours
0:04:51 > 0:04:54# Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
0:04:54 > 0:04:56# And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh
0:04:56 > 0:04:59# So I can see my baby tonight... #
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Amongst the predominantly female audience in Kilkenny is local girl
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Noelle Maher and her sisters.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09We are big Nathan Carter fans.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11We love coming to Nathan. He is great craic.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Yeah, Noelle follows him on Snapchat.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Snapchat. He's my friend on Snapchat.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17I hope he'd snap me back one day.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I snap him the whole time.
0:05:20 > 0:05:21Nathan!
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- He's not interested enough.- No.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25No, he's not interested enough.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27But, yeah, he's great craic and all.
0:05:33 > 0:05:34Good evening, Ballykeefe!
0:05:34 > 0:05:36I remember walking through the kitchen,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38and my mother was like, this man, Noelle!
0:05:38 > 0:05:40This man is for you! Going, all right, Ma!
0:05:40 > 0:05:44And then I listened to it and I was like, oh, my God, he is unreal.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46It's just he's really good looking and he's a great singer,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48and he's just the whole package.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51I've been playing accordion since I was five.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53I got my first accordion at five,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56and I used to pretend to be a fellow called Brendan Shine.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I don't know if you've ever heard of him.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04At five years old, I was singing Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down?
0:06:04 > 0:06:06And I didn't even know what a lobby was.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12The music itself isn't enough to satisfy the superfans...
0:06:12 > 0:06:16who like to get up close and personal at the end of every show.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- It's wonderful to see you.- Good to see you.- You're absolutely gorgeous.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20Oh, thanks.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23You're making me red now!
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- How are you!- She said she'd love to have given birth to you.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28I would!
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Nathan can sometimes spend more time backstage with his fans
0:06:31 > 0:06:33than on stage performing.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39We're big fans, like, so Mam would be delighted now.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40Mam's favourite son-in-law.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43I think she'd welcome him with open arms if ever you walked in with him.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Yeah. Mam said if I didn't bring him home tonight
0:06:45 > 0:06:46it was only a cod, so...
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Up the sesh!
0:06:48 > 0:06:50On the sesh!
0:06:50 > 0:06:51On the sesh!
0:06:52 > 0:06:55He actually told us there that he could bring us to the next gig,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59we could go on the old bus there with him, so you know, I'd hop on it
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- no bother! - THEY ALL TALK AT ONCE
0:07:02 > 0:07:09I've nothing to do it tomorrow or the day after, so...
0:07:09 > 0:07:12We'll probably be about two hours, I'd say, and then I'll come back,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15get changed, and then we'll head back for Enniskillen.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19So should be back about 5am.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Hey, girls, you good? See you tomorrow.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Ashley, all the best, see you tomorrow. Derek, see you tomorrow.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36And here this evening, I'm going to introduce to you a young gentleman
0:07:36 > 0:07:37that I met back in Liverpool...
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Nathan grew up in an Irish family in Liverpool, and from a young age,
0:07:41 > 0:07:44all he wanted to do was to perform on stage.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46# Wait for the tooraloora laddie
0:07:46 > 0:07:49# Wait for the tooraloora lay
0:07:49 > 0:07:51# Wait for the tooraloora laddie
0:07:51 > 0:07:55# Wait for the tooraloo ra lay! #
0:07:55 > 0:07:57CHEERING
0:07:57 > 0:08:01And from those early days in the Irish centres of England,
0:08:01 > 0:08:03one person was constantly by his side,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07giving advice and flogging the CDs.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08Counting the CDs...
0:08:18 > 0:08:19These days, however,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Nan has considerably more merchandise to sell.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26This has got that little logo on.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28"Rock me, Mama."
0:08:28 > 0:08:29They like that.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34And the girls like this one, the sparkly one.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38I wear one of these.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40In a large size.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43# Now me I went to Nashville, trying to be the big deal
0:08:43 > 0:08:46# Playing down on Broadway, getting there the hard way
0:08:46 > 0:08:48# Living from a tip jar, sleeping in my car
0:08:48 > 0:08:52# Hocking my guitar, yeah, I'm gonna be a star... #
0:08:52 > 0:08:57There is a lovely picture of Nathan, I think he's about five or six,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and the television is in the background with Daniel O'Donnell on,
0:09:00 > 0:09:04and Nathan is pretending he's Daniel O'Donnell singing.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08We used to come in our lounge and pull the chairs across.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11I'm from a big family, I'm one of ten.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15So everyone would come along to listen to Nathan's concert,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17which wasn't, truthfully, very good then,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20but he thought he was Daniel, you know, singing away.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Hiya, Nan.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32How are you? How's things?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Another day, another gig.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Only home at 5am, Nathan is at Ballynahinch Rugby Club early,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41which is already filling up with fans from across the North.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45# Singing in the choir, me, I heard another song... #
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I don't think we are going to sell all these mugs.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- I think we will.- No.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53You know the story about the mugs.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54Yeah, Nan...
0:09:55 > 0:09:59..tells all the women that if they buy a cup,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02that these are like magic cups, that when they put the hot water in,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05all my clothes fall off, so...
0:10:07 > 0:10:09I know he's got hundreds and hundreds of fans,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12but I'm the number one star fan.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14And always will be.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16# So get up, get up
0:10:16 > 0:10:19# There's dancing to be done
0:10:19 > 0:10:21# The party's just begun
0:10:21 > 0:10:24# Everybody's gonna have a good time
0:10:24 > 0:10:28# So get up, get up, let's celebrate our love
0:10:28 > 0:10:30# For one another
0:10:30 > 0:10:33# All day, all night, yeah,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35# It's a beautiful life... #
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Nathan and the band are only two weeks away from playing
0:10:38 > 0:10:41their biggest ever gig at the Marquee in Cork.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44With every show now acting like a dress rehearsal,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47the occasion is never far from the minds of the crew.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50The stakes are very high. Very, very high stakes.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52It's a big gig to be doing.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57From here his next step would be the O2, arenas, you know what I mean?
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Bigger, lot more people in it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Everyone is on edge.
0:11:01 > 0:11:07# Oh, yeah, it's a beautiful live. #
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- Yeah! - CHEERING
0:11:16 > 0:11:20# Now I have moved, and I've kept on movin'
0:11:20 > 0:11:24# I've proved the points that I needed provin'
0:11:24 > 0:11:28# I've lost the friends that I needed losin'
0:11:28 > 0:11:30# And found others... #
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Nathan moved to Ireland when he was just 19 to pursue his dream
0:11:34 > 0:11:36of performing on the Irish music circuit.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Since then, his rise has been meteoric.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42# ..Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denyin'... #
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Even at home in Enniskillen, his fans like to keep in touch.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Morning, boys. There's your post, Nathan.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Oh, right.- Lots of post today.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Lovely. There is a lot of them who have supported me since I kicked off
0:11:53 > 0:11:56over here in Ireland, six years ago.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58And then we met people on the way
0:11:58 > 0:12:03that have become fans and have been fans the last couple of years.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06But it's amazing - I mean, we toured England and Scotland there
0:12:06 > 0:12:08for the last three months, on and off.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11And a lot of the fans would have come from Ireland to the shows.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17Just, you know, bought flights, paid to get buses, taxis to the shows.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19I wouldn't be here without them, like, so...
0:12:19 > 0:12:21With the big gig in Cork inching ever closer,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25younger brother Jacob has arrived from Liverpool to lend some support.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Jake used to dance.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Jake, you used to dance.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Yeah, you did dancing.- You did! You did a bit of Irish dancing.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35We've got you on video to prove it, yeah.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- Michael FLATFOOT.- Wait, till it's his turn...
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- I was no Michael Flatley, anyway. - Flatfoot!
0:12:41 > 0:12:43It's a great buzz, like,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47even standing at the side of the stage and seeing Nathan on stage
0:12:47 > 0:12:49enjoying himself, the crowd going mental.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54It's great excitement and hype about it, even being there watching it.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56So it's great.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59He gets more pictures than me.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Oh, yeah, the girls - they're good too, yeah.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Some of them are nice!
0:13:03 > 0:13:06# It's been a long week
0:13:06 > 0:13:09# I've been working overtime
0:13:09 > 0:13:11# Making some money
0:13:11 > 0:13:13# Well, I've got to make this weekend mine
0:13:13 > 0:13:15# I got some bills... #
0:13:15 > 0:13:20The female fans' worship of Nathan covers the entire island,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22whether it's in the sticks or in the city.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Here we are.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27Lovely.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28Oh, you smell gorgeous!
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Good evening, Belfast! It's great to be here with you all.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Are we all in good form down there tonight?
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Let's see all those hands in the air.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40This is a song for the goodtime girls.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43# Goodtime girls, won't you come out tonight
0:13:43 > 0:13:45# Chill out tonight, chill out tonight
0:13:45 > 0:13:48# Goodtime girls, won't you chill out tonight... #
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Nathan is loved by young and old.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52It's a display of dedication
0:13:52 > 0:13:55that's only ever been seen before with Daniel O'Donnell.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57The amount of fans out there tonight is unreal,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and the weather is not great, it's raining,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02and they have still turned up with their umbrellas,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05their Macs and cagoules and all.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08I know there are all different ages, from right young
0:14:08 > 0:14:12up until...the more mature age group, should we say.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14INSTRUMENTAL
0:14:49 > 0:14:52FANS CLAMOUR
0:14:54 > 0:14:58# Precious time slippin' away
0:14:58 > 0:15:02# You know you're only king for a day
0:15:02 > 0:15:05# It doesn't matter to which God you pray
0:15:05 > 0:15:08# Precious time is slippin' away... #
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Hello.- All right, folks.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17All right, folks.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21Nathan's gig at the Marquee in Cork is the biggest of his career,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25and because it's also being recorded for a new DVD,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27he wants to be looking sharp.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30# You know she's only queen for a day... #
0:15:31 > 0:15:35This video is going to be shown hopefully all around America
0:15:35 > 0:15:36in the future, like.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40It's going to be hopefully used for promotion in Europe.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44So if I'm looking like a complete eejit, then I...
0:15:44 > 0:15:47I'm going to be kicking myself for the next five years.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- It's a lovely jacket, like, but... - The Gary Barlow look.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Nan may be his number one fan, but when it comes to clothes shopping,
0:15:54 > 0:15:56her patience can be severely tested.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59You're ever so fussy, aren't' you?
0:15:59 > 0:16:00You really are fussy.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- Good job it's only one gig. - Only one gig, yeah.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Yeah. For a month. - It's in two days' time.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10I am taking root here.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14# But the fire's still in me and a passion that burns... #
0:16:14 > 0:16:15Colour is a bit different.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- It's not the blue you wore for your last one here.- Cool.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22So this blue one for first one on?
0:16:22 > 0:16:24No, I didn't like that one.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Oh, for God's sake!
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- You'll hit the town afterwards? - I think so.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33I might hit it before, the way it's going on!
0:16:35 > 0:16:36You might be right.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39It's either that or we're booking a B&B if he doesn't hurry up.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43That was a long time in the shop. Three hours.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Hope you're buying me a gin and tonic.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- I will. No problem.- You will? - I'll buy you a gin and tonic.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52# You know the way that you love me
0:16:52 > 0:16:54# Makes my heart skip a beat
0:16:54 > 0:16:58# The way that you smile at me every time we meet... #
0:16:58 > 0:17:01The gig in Cork is only days away.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03This is for Cork.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Looking forward to it is superfan Oonagh Doherty from Rasharkin.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09What kind of lifestyle I have, and there are different venues,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11from Liverpool, and I have...
0:17:11 > 0:17:13These are Scottish tours.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15She's been to over 200 shows,
0:17:15 > 0:17:19and she cherishes her pictures taken with her favourite singer at the end
0:17:19 > 0:17:21of every one.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24There's Spain. We were in Spain with him last year.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28There is practically every county in Ireland covered in that.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Liverpool was his home gig, you know,
0:17:30 > 0:17:34and I travelled over to the concert in Liverpool, and Nathan, of course,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36wasn't expecting me to be there.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38See his face? Do you see his face?
0:17:42 > 0:17:45I thought it was a good one.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48For Oonagh, Nathan has edged out another superstar
0:17:48 > 0:17:51in the race for her affections.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54# Brought such meaning to my life... #
0:17:54 > 0:17:57I used to go a lot to see Daniel.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00I still bought the odd time to see Daniel, but he's not about as much,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and Nathan Carter comes along, and he's doing the same thing for me,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07and it just keeps me from being depressed, keeps me young,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10it keeps me working to get money, and as well as that, I enjoy it.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11I thoroughly enjoy it.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18BAND PLAYING
0:18:27 > 0:18:30In the run-up to his big night in Cork,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Nathan and the band take to an industrial estate in Dundalk
0:18:33 > 0:18:34for rehearsals.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41No matter where he goes, there are always fans.
0:18:47 > 0:18:53# It's wonderful with you by my side
0:18:54 > 0:18:59# All that I ask, to see your sweet face
0:18:59 > 0:19:03# It's a good morning beautiful day... #
0:19:03 > 0:19:07It's coming together, anyway. We had a break for an hour,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10and then we're going to come back at 7:30,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13run through the two-hour show.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I'd say we'll be working till about 10:30.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18But God help the crew - they've got a big job ahead of them tonight.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I mean, after we've finished, they are stripping all of this PA,
0:19:21 > 0:19:26they're trussing the stands, the whole staging, all the instruments,
0:19:26 > 0:19:27all in the artic truck, you know?
0:19:27 > 0:19:29So there is a lot for them to do.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32But sure, we've got the best crew in the world.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38With the enormity of the Cork show beginning to hit home,
0:19:38 > 0:19:43Nathan appreciates how far he's come in such a short space of time.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Music is my life.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57This is my whole life,
0:19:57 > 0:20:01and everything I do revolves around this and music.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06And it's built up from me playing in little pubs,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09playing in nursing homes, with me and Nan travelling around,
0:20:09 > 0:20:15to now having an entourage today of 15, 16 people, you know?
0:20:15 > 0:20:19So it has to work, and it will work, if you think that way.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22I think you always have to be positive.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24OK. Let's go.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28A special gig needs a special entrance,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31and crewmember Derek has built a hydraulic lift
0:20:31 > 0:20:33that will deliver Nathan to his fans.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Good evening, everybody!
0:20:41 > 0:20:43This isn't something they've ever tried before.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Getting it wrong in front of 4,000 people and 16 cameras
0:20:47 > 0:20:49could be very embarrassing.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51I've tested the hydraulic lift.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Nervous about that, because I'm not only just coming up on it,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57at the end of the show, I'm now going back down.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00And Derek is underneath, bringing me down, but he can't see me,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02so he needs a cue to tell him.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04So I'm either going to... I think I'm going to shout...
0:21:04 > 0:21:06When he hears me say, "Goodnight, God bless."
0:21:06 > 0:21:08I just hope he hears it!
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- He's waiting on you, like. - You see, I can't...
0:21:14 > 0:21:16I was waiting for you to tell me that.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- I'm not going to be here on the night!- I know.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21But all I can see is...!
0:21:21 > 0:21:24No, that's a great job.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Well done. You've worked hard on that.- Hopefully it works now.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29I'm sure it will. I'm sure it will.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Sure if it doesn't, we'll just do it again.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33No, great job, anyway. It looks really cool.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36It's all going to go good. It's all going to go good.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38We never were beaten yet.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42# The crowd is jumpin'
0:21:42 > 0:21:45# Party's goin' strong Music's pumpin'
0:21:45 > 0:21:48# I could dance all night long... #
0:21:48 > 0:21:53It's the big day, and the rain in Cork won't stop Noelle
0:21:53 > 0:21:55and her sisters enjoying the highlight of their summer.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02It's Nathan's DVD night, his new DVD, which...
0:22:02 > 0:22:04It's really important that we are all done up,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07because you never know, you can get on the DVD.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09And then, obviously, it's his DVD, so he'll be looking back at it,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11so you might get a mention.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19Like many fans, Noelle's attraction goes far beyond the music.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Noelle actually thinks she's going to marry Nathan.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24She really thinks that she's going to bring him home here
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- to Mammy Maher. - Yeah, she really does.
0:22:31 > 0:22:32THEY LAUGH
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- It works with your black hair. - It does, yeah.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Wear it down to the concert. Can spot us, anyway.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43The marquee in Cork has been hosting
0:22:43 > 0:22:46some of the biggest international acts for over ten years.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50It's a long way from the traditional heartland of country music
0:22:50 > 0:22:53in Ireland, so the pressure is on.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Aye, definitely. I mean, we've got to put on a show as well tonight.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58It's not just a DVD recording.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01This is a show for 4,000 people, so it has to be bang on.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04You know, the Coronas were in last night.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05Lionel Richie was here.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07You know, they are all putting on massive shows,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10so our show has to be incredible tonight,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13and it has to be good for DVD and camera as well.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14MUFFLED MUSIC
0:23:19 > 0:23:21For Nathan's number one fan,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25seeing the venue brings home just how far her grandson has come.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30It's wonderful.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33Such a marvellous big place.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38He is definitely a big star now, isn't he?
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Anyway, good luck, Nathan, for tonight.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49I can't explain.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52I think I must sleep and die Nathan.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56It's probably not fair, because I've got seven more grandchildren,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58but Nathan was there from the start,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02and always entertained us from a very young age.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06And I love the others as much, but Nathan is special.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Can't help it, can you?
0:24:08 > 0:24:12When I came in tonight, I was so emotionally...
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Just couldn't believe it,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17seeing this little boy grow into a superstar.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20# When we're all having
0:24:20 > 0:24:23# Fun with friends
0:24:23 > 0:24:28# We don't want this night to end... #
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Amongst the 4,000-plus crowd arriving into the venue
0:24:31 > 0:24:34are some of Nathan's most dedicated fans.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Oh, Denise, what are we like? We're like a pair of recycled teenagers.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41To them, each gig is just like their first.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Oh, Denise, look at the... - The size of it!
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Oh, my God, look at the place.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49We are in block B. I wonder where that'll be.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51That's C over there. Look at the stage.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Oh, that's fantastic.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56There's some work put into all that.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Backstage, Nathan's family are over from Liverpool to share the moment.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02- How are you?- Looking good!
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Oh, Nathan, you didn't make the weather nice for us!
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- Typical Irish weather out there. - I know.- God bless us.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Grandad might even fancy being centre-stage himself.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14I'm doing You'll Never Walk Alone.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- You are not. Duet?- Not duet!
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- What, are you getting up, Gramps? - Yeah!- You getting up?- Yeah!
0:25:22 > 0:25:24With the arena packed
0:25:24 > 0:25:26in anticipation of Nathan's grand entrance...
0:25:30 > 0:25:33..backstage, he's still getting dressed.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34They're right at the back.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36No, my jeans are in the car.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- And John has the key. - He's at the stage.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Just go on in your pants.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Be all right. You'll get some looks.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53With cameras rolling and 4,000 fans ready to dance the night away,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57Nathan takes his place underneath the stage.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00WHOOPING AND CHEERING
0:26:00 > 0:26:03NATHAN DOES VOCAL EXERCISES
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Derek's hydraulic lift had better work.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14SCREAMING
0:26:14 > 0:26:16MUSIC STARTS
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Good evening, everybody!
0:26:23 > 0:26:26How are we all doing in Cork tonight?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Let's go!
0:26:29 > 0:26:32# Headed down south to the land of the pines
0:26:32 > 0:26:35# And I'm thumbin' my way into North Carolina
0:26:35 > 0:26:40# Starin' up the road Pray to God I see headlights... #
0:26:42 > 0:26:43He's just great in concert.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47He's fantastic. He gets the crowd going from the offset.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Like, whatever song, I think, he comes out with,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52he just has everyone going really well,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54and it is, it's just really good.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58# So rock me, Mama, like a wagon wheel
0:26:58 > 0:27:01# Rock me, Mama, any way you feel... #
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Let's see you singing, come on!
0:27:02 > 0:27:08- # Hey, Mama, rock me - Oh, yes... #
0:27:08 > 0:27:11I think he'd still play music if he wasn't getting paid.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13He'd still do music.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Loves it. And it's very nice getting paid for a job that you love doing.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20That's the secret of it, I think, isn't it? Must be.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22# These are the days
0:27:22 > 0:27:25# These are the things that really matter
0:27:25 > 0:27:27# So get a little closer
0:27:27 > 0:27:30# Sing a little louder... # Let's see those hands!
0:27:30 > 0:27:34# Get up get up There's dancing to be done
0:27:34 > 0:27:36# The party's just begun
0:27:36 > 0:27:39# Everybody's gonna have a good time
0:27:39 > 0:27:41# So get up, get up
0:27:41 > 0:27:46# Let's celebrate our love for one another, all day... #
0:27:46 > 0:27:50During the concert, I mean, he entices you to tap and do all sorts,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54sing along and that, and it's really a very enjoyable event, you know?
0:27:54 > 0:27:56And you always come out on a high from it.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Never come out of a concert and said I didn't enjoy it.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02And it's his music and his singing and his personality -
0:28:02 > 0:28:05it's just a great combination. He has it all, you know.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09# ..Now, it's a beautiful life. #
0:28:09 > 0:28:11INDISTINCT CONVERSATION
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Literally, I looked at my watch and there was ten minutes to go,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23and I couldn't find my jeans, I couldn't find my hair gel,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26I couldn't find my deodorant. On a day like today, where you know,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28it's one of the most important gigs of my career.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31But anyway, it all went smoothly, which is the main thing.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34# Everybody sing get up, get up
0:28:34 > 0:28:36# Get up, get up, get up
0:28:36 > 0:28:40# I was gonna party now, yeah
0:28:40 > 0:28:46# It's a beautiful life. #
0:28:46 > 0:28:48APPLAUSE AND CHEERING