Bieber fever pulses through city to sold-out performance

OMG! It was the night “true Beliebers” had been counting down for months, the night they were finally able to scream themselves hoarse in the presence of their whey-faced idol.

With “Bieber fever” sweeping Dublin for the previous 24 hours, fans of the pop sensation with the sideways hair and the puppy-dog gaze finally got to unleash their pent up adoration, reducing the O2 to a squealing sea of hormones. The pubescent shrieks that filled the 14,000 capacity venue for the Canadian’s (long sold out) Irish debut were predictably deafening, though the knowing grin that occasionally flickered across Bieber’s face suggested he’d encountered it all before.

In a glittering silver jacket and huge shades, the pint sized singer looked much younger than his 17 years. A disposable mash-up of Donny Osmond and early Michael Jackson his music wasn’t nearly as dazzling as his stage show, which featured gyrating backing dancers and a laser lighting. But, of course, fans adore Bieber not for his disposable songs but for what he represents: a fantasy boyfriend who will always treat you well and would much rather gaze deep into a girl’s eyes and coo sweet nothings than hang around outside the chip-shop with his pals.