Boyzone - Live Review

Boyzone @ Derby Cricket Grounds, Derby - 16/09/17

So, it was a grim Saturday afternoon as we headed to the most unlikely of Pop venues, Derby Cricket Grounds. Being on Derby’s doorstep, we admit to not knowing this place even existed, until Elton John played here a few weeks ago at least. As we enter the venue we were literally taken aback. It was like “Boyzone Festival!”. There’s seating, people scattered around sat on blankets, trailers offering drinks, merch, food of all types, and the stage is huge! Getting on for second stage Download size-wise, all for this “boy” band who were popular twenty years ago… 

Psychologists and motivators alike will tell you the power of happy memories, of reminiscing to a time when you had fewer problems, when life was easier and the simplest things elated you. Listening to music you grew up with is reminding you of a simpler time, it’s like snuggling under a blanket and watching and loving a Disney movie aged 30, it reminds you life needn’t be that difficult. 

Our first blast of positive memory reinforcement came in the shape of Brian McFadden, hitting the stage solo he treated the crowd to some witty banter and some Westlife tunes. Brian was actually a nice surprise as a support, he’s got a really nice voice and his performance of the songs was practically faultless. The winner of his set though was his comedy value, we think he should look into presenting or stand-up, he had the crowd in fits of laughter, one of those at the expense of our cold little photographer trying to shoot him from the pit. 

Boyzone are celebrating 25 years as a band. 25 years, goodness me. That’s a really long time. And they’re called Boy zone. Even with this contradiction of a name, these guys aren’t the naff pantomime show one would expect of a “come back” 90’s group. Boyzone are one of the few that actually were truly talented, that actually did form a true bond, and enjoyed what they did. Performing with class, supported by the live band and owning the stage, nothing has changed here. This group of men have something that is enigmatic and mesmerising. They’ve managed to carry themselves over from the “smash hits” days to the present, where themselves and their fans are more mature, but they’ve got there with dignity, they’ve adapted their sound just enough to bridge that gap. 

Songs, one after another were screamed back at the stage, the crowd were louder than the speakers on nearly every song, it almost became annoying! “We kinda came to hear them sing guys?! Sshh?! ” But on stage, receiving that kind of love and support, 25 years on no less, must be absolutely amazing. 

The bands of your youth truly become a part of you. What an amazing opportunity to go back and revisit that with them. Boyzone are back in the studio, so our journey with them is not over yet. Maybe it’s our turn to introduce the next generation to our BZ boys…

One final note, the staff could not have been nicer, everyone we dealt with was super friendly and really helpful, we’d like to thank them for that. But having been stood next to the disabled area, we did notice some discord in the organisation, a few unhappy campers were noticed, everyone helped as much as they could, but some people were still left struggling, an issue to try to solve in the future DCCC guys .