The two legendary bands that shaped our youth went head to head on the 26th of October and there could only be one winner. With the stage shaped like a boxing ring for a full battle effect and the entrance songs were playing to hype the crowd up before the bands take to the stage, paired with intently flashing lights and a thick layer of blue smoke.
A large screen with a TV broadcaster announcing the rivalry led to an emotive montage of video clips of Busted and McFly from their early to present days, which gave us nostalgic chills and reminded us of both bands’ career highlights over the years.
Lights quickly diminish, and the arena is left in complete darkness, when suddenly McFly bursts onto the stage from a trap door in the floor. They immediately deliver large amounts of contagiously fun energy, which seeps into the crowd and within moments, the whole arena is on their feet and jumping in unison, with arms in the air to the catchiest songs we all know and love.
Their performance style is incredibly unique, and their personality shines through; Dougie is bouncing around the stage while delivering ideally-timed bass notes, his movements matching his playing. It’s not long before Tom is lying on the floor playing guitar devotedly. Danny is bringing highly-engaging energy to the crowd, while Harry keeps everything perfectly in time with intent drumming.
They produce intricate stage formations and swap around the stage effortlessly, daisy-chaining and producing flawless melodies while linked to each other and moving unitedly across the stage from left to right and back again. They all get time for individual solos while they point, stamp feet to the beat, and support each other’s spotlight moments in complete camaraderie; their stage presence is phenomenal.
They play a huge mix of old and new songs, and the whole room is continuously involved in this great sing-along. The crowd is prompted to do our own acapellas throughout, and when given the chance to sing the first verse of “Obviously” on our own, it is our time to really shine and one of the loudest moments within the room all night.
Unexpected nostalgic songs are played, such as “Transylvania,” which is acted out to perfection with low stage movements, creepy choreography, and jump scares, theatrical but authentic, with McFly engages with the crowd throughout.
Belting vocals and harmonies with huge musical ranges show off how talented they are. The whole set is ever-changing in tempo, from full throttle energy to slow and emotive, fluctuating effortlessly and at a perfect pace. It’s clear to see they’ve dedicated years to perfecting their craft.
An outer boxing ring wall comes from the ceiling with the words “McFly forever” on it, and as instruments point to the sky playing drawn-out riffs, McFly are covered by this wall as a rivalry Busted montage begins to play and suspense sets in…
A laser-drawn, slow-motion outline of the iconic trio’s silhouette is etched onto the back wall, and the outer cage walls lift to show Busted firmly in place on the stage.
Their set starts dramatically with intense pyro, voice-overs, and high energy. Matt is spinning in circles, giving cheeky grins and wide-eyed expressions to the crowd while maintaining bass rhythms perfectly. Suddenly, they both deliver a unified “Busted jump,” and we’re transported back to our youth. They play songs we never knew if we’d hear live again, and we feel incredibly privileged to be here, and nostalgic, fuzzy feelings take over our senses. Their set is incredibly special and highlights how talented they are throughout. Charlie’s vocals are so versatile and unique. It’s the Busted we all know and love, as they engage with us and really make us feel part of the performance.
They play some newer songs as well as songs from their first album, as Matt states, “We’re about to be taken back to 2002”. The songs “Dawson’s Geek” and “Loser Kid” (the crowd all posing with “L” hand signs to foreheads throughout) are hugely received by the audience, proving their older songs to still be relevant today.
One thing, however, is largely missing from their performance- James Bourne, their singer, songwriter, and guitar player. Matt addresses the crowd around this: “James is missing, it fucking sucks, we miss him and we love him. James is really, really sick, and he can’t be on this tour with us, and it’s been really weird without him, and we’re trying our best without him. Two days before the tour started, we had a chat with him and said, ‘What do you want to do?’ He said, ‘Look, I’ve been told I can’t play the shows (medically).’ We thought we’d have to pull out, but he said, ‘No, I think you should do them without me.’ We were like, ‘Who are we going to get to play guitar with us while he’s sick?’ So we had a discussion (Charlie interrupts, ‘Anyone but McFly!’) and James said, ‘How about my little brother Chris comes and plays guitar with you?’ We thought that would be a really good idea. Please welcome to the stage, Chris Bourne.”
It’s clear talent runs in the family. Chris does an incredible job of filling in for James on guitar, while Matt and Charlie alternate James’ vocal verses.
We, as the crowd, get an acapella opportunity for James’ verse of “Sleeping With The Light On” with our phone torches to the roof, lighting up the whole arena, singing as loudly and as heartfelt as we could, in this stunningly beautiful but incredibly sad moment to be a part of, dedicated to James.
“Bassist roasting” begins, and Matt is on one side of the arena, Dougie on the other, and they’re roasting each other to the tune of a McBusted song. Each side of the audience is split into teams and given prompts that lead to chaotic banter.
Both drummers have a drum-solo beat battle with the same rhythm, each perfectly in sync, while flames and lightning bolts erupt at the back of the stage.
The mood changes when Danny and Charlie come on stage together to do a hauntingly enchanting and echoed-around-the-room medley of slow songs, “3am” and “Not Alone”.
“Every saga has an ending” is now written on the screen, and all musicians from both Busted and McFly come out on stage together. McBusted songs and both bands’ ‘greatest hits’ are now played.
The whole room is singing along equally enthusiastically to all songs, and it’s clear there’s a prevalent fan crossover, as the majority and whether a fan of one or both of the bands, all musicians put on such a good show; the set is lengthy, varied, and massively impressive throughout.
Confetti pours out onto the stage and into the crowd as both bands’ members bow before walking off stage, skipping and holding hands with their ‘rivals’ at the end of this hugely wholesome night.
It is one of the happiest crowds I’ve ever been in, with so many upbeat, colorful, and eclectic people pouring their hearts out through song and dance. Both McFly and Busted are incredible separately, but together, a complete masterpiece. They’re both bands that shaped a generation and will be loved for a lifetime.