LIVE REVIEW: Busted & McFly @ Utilita Arena, Cardiff
BUSTED and MCFLY have been intertwined since the very beginning. MCFLY‘s first shows were supporting BUSTED, and the two groups have shared writing credits, collaborations, and even an official supergroup in MCBUSTED. So their decision to reunite for a joint tour hardly comes as a surprise.
After last summer’s playful back-and-forth at live shows and online, the tour was billed as “Every saga has an end,” setting high expectations for what was to come. Would the night descend into a wrestling-style showdown, or perhaps a Guitar Hero–inspired face-off with a live crowd counter? The details were kept tightly under wraps —- the only way to find out was to show up. So we did, catching the tour midway through its run in Cardiff to see how this musical battle would unfold.
From the moment the arena lights dimmed, the crowd made their allegiances clear. Team MCFLY and Team BUSTED merch filled the floor, with fans migrating across the standing area to find others rooting for the same side.
Round One:
With no support act, MCFLY literally exploded onto the stage amid sparklers, launching straight into Where Did All the Guitars Go? – and just like that, Round One was underway. Their set was a celebration of two decades of hits, catering to both lifelong fans and casual listeners. But it was the early favourites – That Girl, Star Girl, and Obviously – that really ignited the crowd. Danny Jones extended the outro of Obviously into a crowd-led harmony, the kind of spine-tingling moment MCFLY have built their reputation on.
They even dipped into deeper cuts, with Red, a B-side from recent years, giving Jones a chance to ditch the guitar and take centre stage as a frontman, bounding across the platform and even perching on the barrier to sing over the crowd. It’s a dynamic, infectious performance, though the song itself seemed to go over the heads of less dedicated fans.
As their set closed with The Heart Never Lies, the lights dimmed, the MCFLY logo fractured, and darkness swallowed the stage. Then, bang, it was BUSTED‘s turn. The band burst onto the scene with a ferocious FIGHTSTAR-era scream from Charlie Simpson, ripping straight into Crashed the Wedding. For the emos in the audience, it was a nostalgic thrill; for everyone else, a jolt of adrenaline.
Their set leaned heavily on the first two albums – the golden years of early-2000s UK pop-rock – delivering pure nostalgia in spades. Deep cuts like Dawson Geek, Britney, Nerdy, and Why made a welcome appearance in a slick medley for long-time fans.
Still, there was an undeniable gap left by James Bourne’s absence. “We weren’t sure who we could ask — we even asked Jedward, but they weren’t available,” Matt Willis joked, to which Charlie quipped, “Anyone but MCFLY.” Without Bourne, the trademark banter between songs was noticeably thinner, leaving most of the talking to Matt.
Musically, though, the addition of James’ brother Chris on guitar gave the set some welcome weight, rounding out their sound beautifully. With BUSTED playing it safe Round One goes to them.
MCFLY: 0 / BUSTED: 1
Round Two:
As the lights shifted, drummers Harry Judd and Eddy Thrower took centre stage for a pounding drum battle that served as both an interlude and a palate cleanser. It was a fun, high-energy display of skill – and a reminder of just how tight both rhythm sections are. Round Two (of the evening) went to MCFLY.
MCFLY: 1 / BUSTED: 1
Round Three:
Next came Dougie Poynter and Matt Willis, squaring off from opposite balconies for I Hate Your Guts, a throwback to their MCBUSTED days. The crowd erupted as each side chanted insults on cue – “Matt sucks!” “Dougie has a small penis!” – all in good fun. For fans who lived through the MCBUSTED era, it was a joyous moment of chaos and nostalgia, though ultimately this round went to BUSTED for Matt’s command of the crowd.
MCFLY: 1 / BUSTED: 2
Round Four:
Things slowed for a beautiful acoustic moment as Charlie and Danny performed stripped-back versions of 3AM and Not Alone, each taking on the other’s band’s song. The result was raw and heartfelt, offering new meaning to two well-loved tracks. MCFLY edged this round, just, on emotional impact.
MCFLY: 2 / BUSTED: 2
Round Five:
The final round saw both bands return for one last push. BUSTED fired up Air Hostess, sending the crowd into frenzy, before MCFLY‘s answered with their biggest anthem, Five Colours in Her Hair. The moment that familiar guitar riff rang out, the entire arena was bouncing, chanting, and waving along. After a night of close calls, MCFLY took the crown – Five Colours in Her Hair sealing the victory.
MCFLY: 3 / BUSTED: 2
Individually, both bands remain masters of their craft. Over two decades in, MCFLY and BUSTED continue to deliver sharp, entertaining performances that prove their staying power. But while the concept of a “battle” tour promised something fresh and unpredictable, the structure didn’t quite live up to the hype.
At times, the show dragged slightly during each band’s solo sets, with the real excitement coming in the final forty minutes when they shared the stage, traded songs, and leaned into the playful rivalry. If the entire show had carried that same spirit – much like the McBusted tours of old – it could have been something truly special.
Still, the closing trio of What Happened to Your Band, Shine a Light, and Year 3000 brought everything together beautifully. By the end, there was no “Team BUSTED” or “Team MCFLY” – just one massive, smiling crowd celebrating two bands who helped define a generation of British pop-rock.
MCFLY vs BUSTED might not have been the battle we expected, but it was a heartfelt, high-energy reminder of why both bands still matter decades after their initial breakthrough.
Rating: 9/10