It’s not often you get to see two of Britain’s biggest pop-rock exports of the 2000s go head-to-head on one stage, but Busted vs McFly proved exactly why both bands still command such massive affection decades later...
Round One: McFly come out swinging
There was no listed support act for the show, but that didn’t stop one member of the crowd from conducting a sing-along to Livin’ on a Prayer from his seat on the floor of the Arena. He somehow had the whole place captivated, setting the tone for the night before the main event had even begun.
McFly officially opened the night with pure, riff-driven confidence. Kicking off with Where Did All the Guitars Go?, the band reminded everyone that even after 20 years, they’ve still got plenty of firepower.
But before the music kicked into full gear, there was a slight technical hiccup. Three of the band members rose dramatically onto the stage through trapdoors below — except for Harry Judd, who seemed to be a bit stuck, with just his head poking out. Ever quick-witted, frontman Tom Fletcher laughed, “This is way better — I’ve been waiting for this for 23 years!”
From there, it was a greatest-hits sprint: Star Girl, That Girl and One for the Radio had the crowd bouncing from the first chorus. Dougie Poynter’s band intros were as chaotic and hilarious as ever — “the father of my children” (Fletcher), “the only man who thinks eggs are a vegetable” (Danny Jones) and “long before Harry Styles” (Judd). Jones even leapt into the front of the crowd during Red, shortly after Dougie introduced him as “Paddington Bear, everybody.”
The set had classic McFly energy — unfiltered, chaotic and utterly charming. It was everything fans could have wished for: a perfect mix of old favourites, new material and the pure joy that’s always made them such a beloved live band.
Round Two: Busted bring the noise
Then came Busted, bursting in like a pop-punk hurricane. Their setlist was a nostalgia goldmine — Crashed the Wedding, You Said No, Meet You There and Who’s David, to name a few.
But there was one notable absence. Just 24 hours before the tour began, James Bourne had to drop out, reportedly due to illness. While details remain unclear, it sounds serious — Charlie Simpson cancelled all his DJ appearances around the tour and Matt Willis told the crowd that Bourne is “really f***ing sick,” though it was James himself who encouraged them to carry on.
In his place, the crowd sang along to his opening verse in Sleeping With the Light On and his brother Chris joined the band on guitar for most of the set, adding extra punch and keeping the energy high. Even so, you could sense the weight of concern on both Simpson and Willis as they powered through the performance.
Compared to McFly’s balance of new material and fan favourites, Busted leaned heavily on their early hits — likely a conscious choice given James Bourne’s absence. Their set was still excellent, but there was an unspoken tenderness beneath the riffs, a shared feeling that something, or rather someone, was missing.
Here’s hoping Bourne is back to full health soon and rejoining Busted on stage, where he belongs.
Round Three: The battle concludes
The “versus” section of the show was where the night reached its playful peak. The square, boxing ring style stage couldn’t have been more fitting as the two bands traded riffs, jokes and mock insults for the remainder of the set.
At one point, Dougie Poynter and Matt Willis took up positions on opposite sides of the crowd, shouting good-natured taunts, while Danny Jones and Charlie Simpson joined forces for a stunning 3am / Not Alone mash-up. Their Masked Singer costumes stayed firmly backstage — despite both having won the show — but their goosebump-inducing harmonies easily stole the spotlight.
In true McFly fashion, Poynter later appeared dressed as Robin Hood for Five Colours in Her Hair, adding another layer of glorious chaos to the spectacle. The outfit, no doubt, will get another outing for the band’s remaining Nottingham shows (ending on 8 November), given the runaway success of the tour.
The joint set closed on an irresistible high with Shine a Light and Year 3000 — a one-two punch of anthems that had the entire Arena singing every word.
Verdict: A pop-rock dream match
By the end of the night, it was impossible to pick a winner. Both bands were presented with a “golden arrow” award for playing the venue ten times — a testament to just how evenly matched they remain. As Charlie Simpson quipped, “One of us had a 10-year break in that time,” to laughter and cheers from the crowd.
Between the tongue-in-cheek rivalry, shared history and sheer joy radiating from both bands, Busted vs McFly felt less like a contest and more like a celebration — of friendship, nostalgia and enduring pop-rock brilliance. Two decades on, both bands have evolved, matured and, crucially, still know exactly how to put on one hell of a show.
Twenty years later, it’s clear: the guitars never went anywhere.
Busted and McFly performed at Motorpoint Arena on 14th October 2025.
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