In pictures: Boyzone’s concert in Dubai

The group, now reduced to four with the death of Stephen Gately in 2009, had to also make do with the sudden absence of Michael Graham, who remained in Ireland due to a family bereavement.

Ronan Keating who did most of the heavy lifting — and his husky voice was in fine form throughout the performance.

Coming on stage dressed in sharp tuxedos, the trio kicked it off in surprisingly low-key fashion with Nothing Without You.

The follow-up, Pictures of You, deservedly got the crowd on their feet; the 1997 track remains a euphoric treat with the backing six-piece band enhancing the song’s Motown appeal.

For all the talk that Boyzone is a democracy, Ronan Keating it is clearly the leader. Front and centre most of the time, he cut a slightly serious figure as he led the band in most of the 20-track set list.

Keith Duffy and the impressively bearded Shane Lynch were the hype-men, with a job description to shout “Come on!” when sensing any hint of crowd fatigue.

Boyzone returned to the Dubai Tennis Stadium as part of their 20th anniversary BZ20 tour. All photos by Satish Kumar / The National.