Okay, let’s get this out of the best way: I’m a Busted fan. I’ve been since I used to be a baby. They have been the primary actual band that I listened to, they usually received me, wholly, into the music that has fashioned me over (too) a few years.

So, moving into London’s O2 Arena on October 10, 2023, was a bit nerve-wracking for me. Would they nonetheless be good? Would Charlie Simpson’s voice hit as laborious because it as soon as did? Would I come away with my childhood ruined?

I should not have doubted the lads in any respect.

Opening with a jaw-dropping Back To The Future cameo from Christopher Lloyd (Doc Emmett Brown), Busted introduced the home down with Air Hostess.

Matt Willis was on high type all night time. “Are you ready to lose your f****ng minds?!” he screamed all through the night time. Bouncing across the round stage, always, proving that he is nonetheless received greater than sufficient power, regardless of having been on this Busted journey for 20 years.

Technically, Busted have been flawless. Charlie and James Bourne delivered guitar licks with ease and rhythms that appeared second nature to them by now. Matt’s basslines have been thick, bouncy, and full with continuous gusto – the proper bassist.

That’s not all that was good, although: Charlie-f****ng-Simpson. That man can sing. He all the time has been capable of, however seeing him now, stay, 20 years after he debuted, was like night time and day. Of course, he is honed his vocals in Fightstar and as a Rhino, however he actually does have some of the lovely, pitch-perfect punk-rock voices of the noughties.

Drummer Eddy Thrower is finest identified for giving percussion performances for the unbelievable band Lower Than Atlantis – however as one of many UK’s finest session drummers, Busted merely needed to carry him again for his or her stay exhibits, and I’m so grateful they did.

Eddy is, with out query, top-of-the-line drummers round. His pristine, punchy fills weren’t distracting however have been deep sufficient to actually showcase his prowess. The Busted trio shouted him out greater than as soon as due to how actually basic he was for his or her performances. And I hope they hold him going ahead.

At this level of their tour – 30-something dates in – Busted actually did not play a be aware unsuitable. Sure, they have been taking part in the songs nightly for months, nevertheless it’s a real testomony to their skills that they might play so swiftly and precisely, and nonetheless have enjoyable all through.

Busted aren’t any one-trick pony, both. Sure, the hits (You Said No, Year 3000, Crashed the Wedding, et al) have been flawless and thrilling, nevertheless it was the historically slower songs that have been the true showstoppers. 3am, Who’s David? and Meet You There have been a few of the present’s highlights. Not solely have been they monstrous demonstrations of Charlie’s vocal prowess, but additionally they’re a few of the tentpole tracks of their repertoire that show they will really write nice songs.

Not each occasion of the night time was highly effective, although. The darkest second in Busted’s present was round midway via, after they invited help act Hanson again onto the stage to play their largest hit, MMMBop. The observe is nice, certain, and seeing Busted’s rendition of it stay was a thrill – nevertheless it felt like an odd stopover for the band.

Thankfully, they made up for it with Who’s David?

“Is anyone here named David?” Charlie cheekily requested the 20,000 attendees. “No? How about Ed? Anyone here named Ed?”

For an instantaneous, confusion swept over the followers earlier than the mighty Ed Sheeran stepped out onto stage to play his model of the tune.