Boyzlife is a unique mash-up of two of the most popular UK boybands of all time, combining the success of Boyzone and Westlife into one thrilling night of pop sensations. With over 21 UK number ones, a worldwide audience, and a career spanning decades (32 years for Boyzone!), both bands have had an extraordinary and undeniable impact on pop music and the hearts of millions with hits like ‘Words’, ‘No Matter What’, ‘I Love The Way You Love Me’ by Boyzone, and ‘Uptown Girl’, ‘My Love’, and ‘Fool Again’ by Westlife.
A particular point of fascination for me has always been the variety of age ranges that their music attracts. It’s wonderful to see children filled with as much excitement as I was when I first listened to their music, people my age listening to what have essentially become the anthems of our childhood, and older generations equally as enthralled by their luscious harmonies, catchy tunes, and heartfelt lyrics.
With the upcoming release of Boyzone’s No Matter What documentary, and my love of boyband music only increasing with my recent boom in 00s nostalgia, what better time to see my two favourite Irish boybands unite with Boyzone’s Keith Duffy and former Westlife member Brian McFadden?!
Boyzlife’s opening act was the multi-talented Qymira, brandishing a violin before an entrancing (albeit too bassy and distorted to fully appreciate) performance of ‘Melodrama’ alongside her on-stage logo. All sound issues were rectified in later numbers, fully allowing the audience to immerse themselves in Qymira’s talents during her biggest hit, ‘Labyrinth of Life’. Her upbeat and meaningful vocals combined with a variety of backing dancers made for a strong act. Her songs aren’t particularly catchy but the drama and talent behind her performance more than make up for it – her passion and creativity constantly shining through and making her one of the most surprising and musically unique acts I’ve seen in a long time.
Esmae was the show’s second support act, a nice but slightly surprising addition, as audiences were initially told Boyzlife would be appearing after Qymira’s finale. Nevertheless, Esmae was a bouncy-pop treat with her most-popular ear-worm ‘Fire’ being received particularly well alongside her rendition of TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’. Appearing alongside her name in a golden lit triangle and two backing dancers (one of which absolutely slayed throughout!), the limited staging seemed to be no issue.
Both support acts were great openers but felt a tad out of place stylistically when paired with Boyzlife. I was admittedly amused at the contrast between the Magic Mike-esque dancing of Qymira’s enterauge and Boyzlife’s funky dad-dancing (a common trope I’ve always loved among 90s and 00s boybands).
After a video of new the Boyzlife single ‘Dancing with the Echoes’, and a Neil Diamond sing-along later (may I start the petition for a new crowd-pleaser hit), the boys finally graced the stage.
Being a theatre primarily, the Winter Gardens Opera House felt perfectly dramatic with its grand balconies and sprawling roofs, yet oddly intimate. While some drunken antics from nearby audience members dampened the mood from time to time (one of which screeched rather shrilly throughout Boyzlife’s set), their performance was filled with heart and a clear appreciation of their fans who were (mostly) harmoniously joining their chorus.
Boyzlife’s set opted for the classic big screen – a tired but effective tradition that worked well with their introductory video montage, tributes, and accompanying music videos. A drum with the pairs faces also “dressed” the stage along with some pyrotechnic effects that went off a little too often for my taste – they have some big numbers but not all of them warrant fire and smoke! All in all, a little bland but rectified with some great costume changes; glitzy suits, a bedazzled Kiss jacket and glow-in-the dark shoes? Yes please!
Their hits were peppered with hilarious dad moments from corny moonwalks to gimmicky attire – dated to some perhaps, but a visual treat for this 00s girl.
For me, without the soaring vocals of the late Stephen Gately, or his equally astounding Westlife counterpark, Mark Feehily, the rich harmonies are always going to miss that enigmatic spark. Thus, my main concern with Boyzlife was how well could TWO men perform songs originally intended for a whole group with different ranges? The answer: shockingly well for the most part.
While songs like ‘No Matter What’ don’t quite reach the same dramatic heights without the rest of the group, the majority of their catalogues are surprisingly well-suited for the duo (along with a female backing singer and the occasional backing track). Occasionally, I had a little trouble hearing Duffy’s vocals underneath some of the layers of music, but I was delighted to hear both artists still had their versatile voices. Brian McFadden’s vulnerable gruff tones work wonderfully in his duet with his female backing-singer before mellowing into his addictively versatile harmonies and high notes in his ‘Flying Without Wings’ solo.
Even though Boyzlife dips closely into tribute act territory and doesn’t quite match the grandiosity of seeing either band live, I’m pleasantly surprised by the duo’s enduring talents and thrilled that their songs can continue to inspire generations new and old. Boyzlife is a fabulous time-capsule of 00s nostalgia with two incredible artists at the reins. It’s a night of heart-warming pop-anthems like no other.
JADAR 