Music Blogs

As Take That storm the UK off the back of record-breaking ticket sales for their "Circus" UK tour, spare a thought for their former pop foes Boyzone. While Gary Barlow and co can afford to snub ex member Robbie Williams, one of the globe's biggest stars, and are playing at stadiums in every town, Ronan Keating's rather naffer manband are struggling to fill arenas on their comeback. Did they really think it would be easy?

According to claims in the British press today, their live dates have been mildly received affairs played out to half full crowds. A recent concert in Liverpool saw only 5,000 of the near 11,000 tickets sold, with the group reportedly having to resort to selling tickets two for one and offering them up for competitions on local radio. Describing the scene at the city's Arena venue, a fan told Metro: "Shane looked really p*ssed off! Ronan and Stephen still carried on like true professionals, they carry the other three".

The band may have achieved 16 consecutive top five hits and six Number One's but the "Better '09 Tour" looks to be a reality check for the quintet. With plans for a new album in the pipeline and Mark Ronson supposedly lined-up to produce, Famethrowa can't help but wonder how long Boyzone will last. Speaking at the time of their reunion in 2007, Keating told reporters: "We've been talking about getting back together for some time now. I can't wait to be back on the road and all the guys feel the same". Perhaps they could ask Take That for a support slot?