Battle of the Boybands | Busted Vs McFly at Manchester’s AO Arena
The clash between McFly and Busted at AO Arena on Friday 17th October 2025 was a show of two halves. This was not just a gig. It felt like two heavyweight pop bands squaring up with guitars, humour and nostalgia.
McFly took the first round with a set stacked with number one hits. The crowd were on their feet from the opening chord. Tom Fletcher brought flamboyancy and flair, working the stage with effortless confidence. Dougie Poynter carried the energy like a live wire, never standing still for a second. Danny Jones, the former judge of The Voice UK, hit every note like he was still on the judging panel, only this time the audience was doing the turning. Harry Judd locked down the rhythm with precision, keeping the tempo tight while the others played off the crowd.
Then came the switch. Busted stepped in and the tone changed. James Bourne was missing after leaving the tour for health reasons. Matt Willis took a moment to address it, his voice cracking as he explained the situation. It was a raw, human moment that cut through the noise. His brother Chris stepped in to cover, a familiar face for long-time fans who remember him from the Year 3000 video. It wasn’t a forced replacement. It felt like a natural continuation.
Matt Willis brought the alpha male presence, owning the stage. Charlie Simpson delivered the vocals and flair that defined the band’s sound. The second half had a punchier, heavier feel. It was Busted at their best.
The crowd was a mix of ages. Teens sang next to parents who were clearly reliving their early 2000s. When the encore began, things turned playful. Dougie and Matt popped up in opposite sides of the arena for a roast battle. It was teenage boy humour at its peak. Emma Willis, Matt’s wife, got pulled into the jokes, and the crowd loved it.
The two bands then joined forces on stage. Seven men turned into seven teenagers again, laughing, jumping and feeding off the roar of the arena. It was the definition of a battle of the bands. Not a competition. A celebration.
For a lot of fans this wasn’t just a concert. It was a throwback to simpler times and for two hours on a Friday night in Manchester, the clock turned back.
Photo Credit: AdamRoss Williams (@adamrosssi)Written by Tom Rogan
