WORDS DESH KAPUR / IMAGES PAUL DIXON
Busted’s 20th Anniversary Tour at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena on September 15th, 2023, supported by Hanson, was an unforgettable night that took fans on a nostalgic journey through two decades of music. The evening kicked off for me with a blast as American pop-rock trio Hanson celebrated their impressive three-decade career. and its incredible when you think that the three brothers were just 16, 13, and 11 when they first shot to stardom.
They brought to the stage a contagious energy that instantly connected with the crowd. With a simple, “How you doing?” and “Are you feeling good?” they transported us back to the simpler times of the late ’90s.
As Hanson’s tunes filled the arena, the punchy set of feel good pop had the crowd eating out of the palm of their collective hands.
It was a high-energy and fun way to kick off my night.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for—the entrance of Busted, consisting of Matt Willis, James Bourne, and Charlie Simpson. Busted, formed in 2000, had a remarkable career with four UK number-one singles, over five million records sold, and two Brit Awards to their name. They’ve released five albums, including their latest, “Greatest Hits 2.0” in 2023.
Their 90-minute set was a rollercoaster ride through their greatest hits, exclusively chosen from their first two albums. They launched into their set with the classic “Air Hostess,” setting the tone for the night—loud and at full throttle. A golden moment occurred when Hanson joined them on stage for a cover of “MMMBop,” leaving the crowd dreaming of future collaborations.
There were lots of standout moments, including “Thunderbirds Are Go,” with Matt sharing the amusing backstory of how they ended up with a great song despite the movie’s flop. “Crashed The Wedding” brought an infectious energy to the night, and starting the encore with “Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones was a brilliant touch. The energy was palpable, with both the band and the crowd feeding off each other.
Busted’s cheeky and playful nature was on full display throughout the performance. Matt and James ran along the stage, spinning around, while Charlie encouraged the crowd to sing along. Not that they needed much encouragement—fans were in full voice all night.
One of the highlights of the show was the nostalgia factor. The video screens featuring old Nokia phones and MSN Messenger-style chat boxes, alongside clips from their early years, added a sentimental touch.
Busted delivered an awesome show from start to finish. It was a loud, high-energy, and hugely entertaining performance filled with pure joy. Their special connection with the fans was evident, making it a night that will be cherished by all who attended.
Busted proved once again that they are masters of their craft, and their 20th-anniversary celebration was a night to remember.
SET LIST
1/ AIR HOSTESS
2/ MEET YOU THERE
3/ LOSER KID
4/ YOU SAID NO
5/ EVRYTHING I KNEW
6/ MMMBOP (Hanson Cover/with Hanson)
7/ SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHT ON (With Hanson)
8/ GOOD ONE
9/ WHAT I GO TO SCHOOL FOR
10/ WHO’S DAVID
11/ FALLING FOR YOU
12/ THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO
13/ SHE WANTS TO BE ME
14/ 3AM
15/ CRASHED THE WEDDING
ENCORE
16/ TEENAGE KICKS (UNDERTONES COVER)
17/ YEAR 3000
FOLLOW BUSTED
FOLLOW HANSON
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago