The remaining members of the popular 1990s pop band Boyzone—Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch—will take the stage and perform for their Filipino fans one last time at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Aug. 26.
The concert—mounted by Ovation Productions—is part of Boyzone’s 25th anniversary and farewell tour. After which, the Irish group will disband “for good.” Tickets are now on sale (call 470-2222).
In a joint statement from Warner Music Philippines, Ronan, Keith, Duffy and Mikey said they have never imagined they would still have loyal fans after 25 years in the industry.
“We can’t put into words just how much you, the fans, have supported us along the way,” they said. “Without that support, we would’ve never achieved what we have and, for that, we’re eternally grateful.”
The singers jested that, after all, they’re “not boys anymore.” “We all feel that we should now call time on our lives together as Boyzone and go out on a real high,” said the band, who popularized such hits as “Love Me for a Reason,” “Picture of You,” “No Matter What” and “I Love the Way You Love Me.”
As a final hurrah, Boyzone will release its sixth and final album, “Thank You & Goodnight,” on Nov. 16. In it is the tribute song, “I Can Dream,” for the group’s departed member, Stephen Gately, whose death in 2009 left the band with “scars that we will carry forever.”
“I Can Dream” is a reworking of a demo Stephen originally recorded in 2002 for a solo album. Ronan, Keith, Duffy and Mikey did harmonies to go with Stephen’s lead vocals.
“It was a bittersweet experience to hear our voices together again. It’s the closest the five of us will ever get to being in a room together, making music,” they said. “Stephen was our brother and will always be at the very heart of Boyzone.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO