Lineup
Essex trio who scored numerous hits with their trademark energetic pop punk
Few bands have as radically different first and second chapters as Southend trio Busted. Longtime friends Charlie Simpson, Matt Willis and James Bourne initially set about highlighting the pop in pop punk, scoring a string of cheeky hits in the early 00s. By the time they’d split and reformed, the band had matured and evolved into a slick 80s-influenced band with more in common with Bruce Hornsby than blink-182.
The trio formed in the Essex coastal town in 2000, landing chart success with singles ‘What I Go To School For’, ‘The Year 3000’, ‘Sleeping With The Light On’ and ‘You Said No’, all taken from their self-titled debut album. Their 2003 follow-up A Present For Everyone yielded three No.1 hits and cemented the band’s popularity.
However, the band’s meteoric rise was abruptly halted when frontman Charlie Simpson left the band in 2005 to focus on his new harder-edged group Fightstar. Willis and Bourne put Busted on ice indefinitely and went in search of their own solo projects. Willis entered and won reality show I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here and discovered an aptitude for acting, including an appearance in celebrated West End chiller 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Willis and Bourne were brought back together in 2013 when the band’s successors in cheerfully cheeky pop punk, McFly, proposed a collaboration. Willis and Bourne signed up and the two bands toured together as McBusted, discovering that Busted’s audience may have grown up in their absence but had lost none of their love for the band. Simpson was entreated to return and agreed, the reunion cemented in 2016 with the album Night Driver, a synth-driven album with an 80s sheen produced by John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, Jonas Brothers).
Despite the radical departure, Busted’s new direction was well received. That didn’t stop the band from re-embracing their former selves on 2019’s Half Way There, a return to the caffeinated pop punk of their first two records. In 2023, Simpson followed bandmate Willis into reality TV when he won ITV’s mystery singer series The Masked Singer.
Busted are celebrating their 20th anniversary in style in 2023, with plans announced for a major UK arena tour as well as a brand new album of re-worked classic hits.
Matt, Charlie and James on their upcoming 20th anniversary tour. Also baked beans, alien lobsters and Jim Carrey.
Had a brilliant night at Scarbrough open air theatre.The two support bands were great and Busted were brilliant.The staff went above and beyond for my disabled daughter and my grandson's first concert.
Absolutely fantastic concert, fantastic set list and great vibe! Next tour will be going to see them again!
Can't wait to go again and see busted great venue great atmosphere
Such fun, the boys are joyful and funny. Great interaction with all the audience, and participation in Scarborough! Maybe play Night Driver occasionally!! Loved the evening.
The venue is good for parking and getting in and out. We were advised where our seats were by a steward and got settled in. Busted arrived on stage around 9pm and were just wonderful. It is great to be outdoors and enjoying the pleasant evening surrounded by thousands of like mixed people all having an amazing time singing along and dancing to Busted. The band were entertaining and cared for the audience. My highlight of the evening was when the band got Jan on stage who had been to every show in the tour. It was fabulous to see them interacting with him and his dance moves were fabulous!! If you can go see Busted live, every song is a hit and you'll dance all night
Busted we're amazing as always. I did feel mics needed turning up a little bit. Staff spoiled atmosphere telling people around us to not vape (only needed to be said once and she repeated several times in the one occasion) yet it's okay for those in standing and on stage to be vaping. It's an outdoor venue.
Scarborough open air was an amazing venue with clear stage views from every angle. Busted were absolutely phenomenal the show and atmosphere were great. Can't wait to book again x
As usual, Busted put on a fabulous concert. Scarborough open air theatre is always a pleasure to visit, and the crowd are enthusiastic and involved. Great views for all due to the tiering. Wonderful evening.
Went to see Busted with my mum and some friends. What a show! It was so so good! The boys are fabulous, still got it and are so passionate about what they do.
So easy to get into and tickets were easy to use. Had a great night definitely recommend
