There’s something refreshing about reliving the past under pleasant circumstances.
It might have been 18 years since Boyzone’s last visit to Manila, but the Irish vocal group and its songs seem to have aged well. The members cut dashing figures in blue suits as they sang old and new hits, and the fans screamed and sang along like the teenagers they once were. (Only this time, they had smartphones and social media to capture the moment.)
Unlike most of its dance-pop counterparts, Boyzone was more known for its “senti-pop” music which included Motown covers as well as original ballads. After three multiplatinum-selling albums, numerous chart-topping singles and successful shows across the globe, the group went on hiatus to pursue solo projects, but later reunited for a new album and tour.
Boyzone dedicated its comeback record to its “brother” Stephen Gately after his untimely passing in 2009, reportedly due to complications from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Now in their late 30s to early 40s, the remaining members— Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham, and Keith Duffy—returned recently to Manila for a concert at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Touching tribute
The group’s touching tribute to Gately served as the highlight of the night. After a black-and-white video montage of its early years, Boyzone surprised the crowd by singing together with Stephen’s recorded vocals. The reggae-infused ballad “Gave It All Away” from 2010’s “Brother” was one of the last songs to feature Stephen’s vocals, and was released posthumously.
When the group performed “Every Day I Love You,” not a dry eye was in sight. It was heartbreaking to see the solemn expressions on the members’ faces as Stephen’s beautiful falsetto parts filled the air, or to hear Ronan admitting that it had been difficult for the group to return to places they’ve performed with Stephen years ago.
“On the other hand, it’s really fantastic and beautiful that we’re reliving those memories again…because when the four of us are together, we feel that he’s in the room, he’s on this stage tonight. Thank you for allowing us to come back and do this,” Ronan told the crowd.
Special treat
Although Boyzone retained its 22-song setlist for the 2015 tour, the group also prepared a special last-minute treat for its Filipino fans. Asked during a TV show guesting the day before the concert if it would perform its popular cover of the ’90s country ballad “I Love The Way You Love Me,” the members said it wasn’t in the setlist, but later changed their minds and put together an impromptu number.
It was evident in the way Ronan’s voice faltered during the first few bars that Boyzone has not performed the song in a long while, but the flub only endeared them more to the smitten audience. The kilig moment extended into “When You Say Nothing At All” from the “Notting Hill” soundtrack.
Goofy dance moves
Switching to a fun vibe, the group did goofy dance moves during covers of “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “Can’t Hurry Love.” By that time, the band and the crowd had loosened up and genuinely enjoyed themselves.
Ignoring house rules, fans rushed near the stage to get up close and personal with their idols; Boyzone obliged, posing for pics and taking selfies.
Before doing “No Matter What,” the group asked female backup singer Joan to sing Stephen’s parts; the hair-raising a cappella ending featured Ronan belting out the last note amid haunting backup harmonies.
The group wrapped up the main set with three singles from its 2013 album “BZ20”: the punchy, rock-tinged track “If We Try,” followed by uplifting anthems “Love Will Save The Day” and “Who We Are.”
A departure from the usual ballad/cover song repertoire, Boyzone’s latest album echoed the surviving members’ newfound optimism as a group while celebrating over 20 years of fame and friendship.
Responding to the crowd’s shouts for an encore, the group hopped back onstage and sang three mid-tempo fan favorites.
The crowd yelled along to the “yeah-oh” chorus in “A Different Beat” from the chart-topping 1996 album, complete with heartfelt salute.
Fans squealed the loudest in “Love Me For A Reason,” Boyzone’s seminal cover that had paved the way for the group’s worldwide success.
The show ended with an interesting choice: Ronan’s solo hit “Life Is A Rollercoaster,” which he sang with Keith.
Timeless songs
Occasional off-key moments aside, Boyzone’s Manila gig was as good as one could expect from one of the most successful boy bands in pop music history. Its songs are timeless and, despite their ages, the members can still elicit adulation among loyal fans.
Now that everything’s much more accessible, fans created and captured more memorable moments than their younger selves would have ever thought possible. Just ask the lady who squealed like a girl half her age when the Boyzone smiled and posed for her iPad, or her bemused teenage son who was recording the scene on his own gadget.
There’s also the lovestruck fan who was personally asked by Ronan to tweet that epic group shot of the group with the entire audience from her phone. Not to mention the handful of lucky concertgoers who took home exclusive closeup shots of the band, all because snap-happy Keith had “borrowed” their gadgets to play cameraman onstage.
We would have loved to hear more of Boyzone’s older original songs: the mushy ballad “Key To My Life”; the danceable ditty “So Good”; and harmony-filled singles “Coming Home Now,” “Isn’t It A Wonder” and “All That I Need,” among others.
But more than reminiscing about the past, the Boyzone concert was about celebrating the present and looking forward to the future.
These Irish lads stand out for being a class act; they don’t have to bare their chiseled abs or gyrate their hips to sustain fan interest.
And, despite the tragedy of losing Stephen, the surviving members soldier on, keeping his spirit alive and making fans happy with a good show.
For that, we will always be grateful.
