Music
Busted
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Fiona McKinlay
four stars
THEIR initial ascent to pop stardom was too rapid for Busted to have bothered with a theatre tour on the way up, so their giddy reaction as newcomers to the Usher Hall's beautiful interior is understandable. Nobody else takes their eyes from the stage, though – transfixed by the sighting of a handsome sasquatch in a silver jacket.
Yes, Charlie Simpson really is back, the 2016 comeback tour wasn't a one-time cash cow, and he seems quite convincingly to be having fun. The moody one who was, for 12 years, too cool for Busted, is now shimmying in front of synthesisers, centre stage in shiny clothing. He appears to have, intentionally or otherwise, become Busted's frontman – roaming around the stage clutching a microphone, throwing his hands in the air.
Busted 2.0 is a pretty major update: much more than just a few minor bug fixes. The new package could take serious adjustment for even the most seasoned user, but is worthy of much success.
Starting their set with a trio of new songs, Busted make clear early on what they've come to do – and that the night won't be a total nostalgia-fest. While they do squeeze in the majority of their biggest hits – each one to an electric reaction from the crowd – the focus of the show is new material.
Tunes from the 2016 album Night Driver sound bigger and brighter in the live setting than on CD. The irresistibly dance-friendly I Will Break Your Heart and anthemic New York are highlights. Set closer Those Days Are Gone, which starts delicately with Charlie singing and James Bourne playing piano before bounding into a big Bieber-esque dancefloor filler, offers a perfect ending to a very strong show.
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