Take a bow
Boyzone looks back at 25 years of music and remembers late member Stephen Gately.
IRISH boyband Boyzone is calling it a day after 25 years.
To mark the occasion, its members Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy will be embarking on a farewell world tour, which includes a stop in Malaysia on Aug 24.
Boyzone is also working on its final album, Thank You & Goodnight, due this November.
Ahead of the concert in Malaysia, members of Boyzone look back at their time in the band and remember late member Stephen Gately, who died of a congenital heart defect in 2009, in an e-mail interview with Star2.
You guys have reunited a couple of times for concert tours since officially disbanding in 2000. But for this upcoming tour (and upcoming album), you guys have decided it will be the band’s absolute last. How did you come to this decision?
We’ve had an amazing 25 years but have decided this is the right time to hang up our dancing shoes.
We want to go out on a real high with a brand new studio album and a huge farewell tour.
What can fans expect from the farewell show in Malaysia?
We’ll be making this show a celebration of the last 25 years with all the hits that our fans have loved over the years.
Everything from Love Me For A Reason to Love Will Save The Day.
I Can Dream is obviously a very special song, featuring the vocals of the late Stephen Gately. Share with us the process of making the track. Was it emotional?
It’s wonderful for us to be able to have Stephen’s voice on a brand new track on the new album.
A record producer Stephen had worked with back in 2002 found the original recording and we then worked with (the producer) to build a new song around Stephen’s original vocal.
It’s a beautiful song that I think our fans will love.
What is one thing Stephen Gately taught you that you’ve always carried with you?
Stephen loved performing and came alive when he was on stage.
That infectious smile he had when we performed together is something that lives on with us.
What about the original 1990s sound of Boyzone? Is that still a prominent part of the new album?
There are lots of different flavours on the new album.
Everything from pop, dance, country and urban influences that reflect the very different characters and musical tastes that make up Boyzone.
We’re very proud of it.
Pop stars like Ed Sheeran and Take That’s Gary Barlow have penned songs for Thank You & Goodnight. Tell us about the decision on having them come onboard for this project. And what do you think they’ve brought to the album?
The first single Because was co-written by Ed Sheeran so it’s great to have a song from Ed on the album. It’s a real happy summer song that has clips from our fans all over the world in the video.
Gary has written a song called Love which is a great boy band style anthemic love song.
Boyzone has had so many amazing experiences and achievements throughout the years. What is one particular moment that stands out in this journey?
It’s hard to pick one thing from the last 25 years.
We’re just glad that we have the chance to release one final album and to get out on the road and make some final new memories for Boyzone.
Boyzone’s 25th Anniversary World Tour will take place on Aug 24 in Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. For tickets, priced at RM198, RM288, RM378, RM468, RM568 and RM688, call 03-9223 3667/8605 0195 or visit starplanet. com.my and myticket.asia.