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Boyzone: From Dublin to Jakarta
Back in Asia: Boyzoneâs appearance at the Istora Senayan marked the boybandâs return to Asia after almost two decades
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Back in Asia: Boyzoneâs appearance at the Istora Senayan marked the boybandâs return to Asia after almost two decades.(JP/AWO)" border="0" height="307" width="510">Back in Asia: Boyzoneâs appearance at the Istora Senayan marked the boybandâs return to Asia after almost two decades.(JP/AWO)The modest Istora indoor stadium at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, received fresh zest from Jakartans who were eager to see the legendary Irish boy band Boyzone perform on May 22.
Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch were in town for the first time since the group was formed in 1993.
Titled âBoyzone: Back Again No Matter Whatâ, the tour also marked the latest incarnation of the 90s phenomenon after the death of Stephen Gately, two years after their comeback as a group in 2007.
Almost 18 years since their last visit to Asia, Boyzone announced their concert in Jakarta earlier this year. Tickets nearly sold out within two weeks after sales started in March.
Fans swarmed the stadium complex that Friday fully prepared.
Promoter Full Color Entertainment pushed back the start time to 8:15 p.m. to accommodate fans, mostly in their 30s and 40s, who left work late.
âI came with my old gang from college,â said Astrid, an employee of a private company in South Jakarta.
Under the tagline of a special night of reunion, the concert was not only an event for the group and their fans â but also a reunion of long-time friends.
The venue was full of friends donning matching T-shirts or accessories as well as couples. Many enjoyed free upgrades as they were ushered to less crowded seating areas.
The arena turned into a dance floor as Boyzone warmed up the night with âLove is a Hurricaneâ, âPicture of Youâ and âLove You Anywayâ.
There were over 20 songs on the set list from their first album, Said and Done (1995); their latest original album, BZ20 (2013); and from From Dublin to Detroit (2014), an album covering 12 Motown hits.
Fans sang along with âAll That I Needâ and a cover of the Bee Geesâ âWordsâ that sent Boyzone to the top of world charts during the 1990s.
They also sang Ronanâs âWhen You Say Nothing At Allâ in harmonious arrangement.
Shane, who took a video call from back home while on stage, showed off the cheering crowd and told the caller: âThatâs what you missed, âback homeâ!â
Back in Asia: Boyzone's appearance at the Istora Senayan marked the boyband's return to Asia after almost two decades.(JP/AWO) The modest Istora indoor stadium at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, received fresh zest from Jakartans who were eager to see the legendary Irish boy band Boyzone perform on May 22. 'We feel as if Stephen is here on the stage with us. We love you,' said Ronan, holding back tears.
Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch were in town for the first time since the group was formed in 1993.
Titled 'Boyzone: Back Again No Matter What', the tour also marked the latest incarnation of the 90s phenomenon after the death of Stephen Gately, two years after their comeback as a group in 2007.
Almost 18 years since their last visit to Asia, Boyzone announced their concert in Jakarta earlier this year. Tickets nearly sold out within two weeks after sales started in March.
Fans swarmed the stadium complex that Friday fully prepared.
Promoter Full Color Entertainment pushed back the start time to 8:15 p.m. to accommodate fans, mostly in their 30s and 40s, who left work late.
'I came with my old gang from college,' said Astrid, an employee of a private company in South Jakarta.
Under the tagline of a special night of reunion, the concert was not only an event for the group and their fans ' but also a reunion of long-time friends.
The venue was full of friends donning matching T-shirts or accessories as well as couples. Many enjoyed free upgrades as they were ushered to less crowded seating areas.
The arena turned into a dance floor as Boyzone warmed up the night with 'Love is a Hurricane', 'Picture of You' and 'Love You Anyway'.
There were over 20 songs on the set list from their first album, Said and Done (1995); their latest original album, BZ20 (2013); and from From Dublin to Detroit (2014), an album covering 12 Motown hits.
Fans sang along with 'All That I Need' and a cover of the Bee Gees' 'Words' that sent Boyzone to the top of world charts during the 1990s.
They also sang Ronan's 'When You Say Nothing At All' in harmonious arrangement.
Shane, who took a video call from back home while on stage, showed off the cheering crowd and told the caller: 'That's what you missed, 'back home'!'
Nostalgia turned emotional near the midway point as the band acknowleged fans who mentioned Stephen when Boyzone announced their concert plans on Twitter.
'Stephen was always excited about going to Asia and was the one who had wanted to come back,' said Keith.
'We had our best times together with Stephen and some of them were made here in Asia,' added Mikey.
In a tribute to Stephen, a video clip was shown presenting each of the four remembering Stephen followed by group singing 'Give It All The Way', the last song they recorded when the group still numbered five.
It was a double surprise when Ronan said that they would present 'Every Day I Love You' as the most requested song by fans from Twitter. Soon, a recording of the soft vocals of Stephen's voice filled the dimmed venue.
After a break, Boyzone returned to stage. 'Tracks of My Tears', Reach Out (I'll Be There), The Supreme's 'You Can't Hurry Love' and 'A Different Beat' came out as testimony as to how the surviving members have matured over the years in vocal arrangements.
They sang while dancing their signature choreographed moves without losing a beat - or breath, all the while interacting with the audience.
Mikey, Keith and Shane approached the fans at the standing area, shaking hands and posing for photos.
For encore, they sang 'Love Me For A Reason' and 'Life is A Roller Coaster'.
The boys also inserted 'Who We Are' on the set list which Ronan said described Boyzone the best:
'We make mistakes/We rise again/We choose the road we shouldn't take/We bend the rules/We cross the line/It's just enough to feel alive/But it makes us who we are, they sang.'
'It's one helluva night. It's slightly nostalgic but also a celebration of the future because Boyzone is back!' said Ronan.
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