Busted: We’re going to throw the kitchen sink at our 20th anniversary comeback tour

Busted are getting back on the road to celebrate their 20th anniversary with a comeback arena tour that is sure to satisfy fans’ pangs for the noughties. The pop-rock trio from Southend-on-Sea – consisting of Charlie Simpson, Matt Willis and James Bourne – will be harking back to the hits that made their name.
By Naomi Clarke
Published 31st Mar 2023, 11:50 BST

“It’s still in the planning stage but we’re going to throw the kitchen sink at it,” Willis, 39, tells me while sitting alongside his bandmates in a London hotel. “We’ve talked quite a lot and put on different types of tours and this is going to be a spectacle tour. If you’re a Busted fan, you’re going to want to see this tour because it’s going to be everything you love about the band.”

They will be sticking to tracks from their 2002 self-titled debut album and 2003 follow-up A Present For Everyone as they want it to be a celebration of their first era. Simpson admits he had been up until 2.30am the night before the news was released as he was vibrating with excitement – but also nerves, as he feared that people may no longer care. After I point out they started trending on Twitter following the announcement, he says: “It’s so cool, man. Twenty years on and you’ve still got fans going that crazy about it.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The band hope to bring a “little bit of razzle-dazzle” to the 15 comeback shows. Fireworks, pyrotechnics and ping-pong balls are all thrown about in discussion, but they insist nothing has been confirmed. “You want to make people leave thinking that was event-worthy. That warm fuzzing feeling when you’ve enjoyed yourself,” Simpson, 37, says.

James Bourne, Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis of Busted, who have announced a 20th anniversary tour. Picture: PA/Ian WestJames Bourne, Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis of Busted, who have announced a 20th anniversary tour. Picture: PA/Ian West
James Bourne, Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis of Busted, who have announced a 20th anniversary tour. Picture: PA/Ian West

A lot has changed with the trio since they were catapulted to stardom as teenagers. All of the members have explored their own musical projects and Simpson and Willis have both become fathers. They are particularly excited as this will be the first time their youngest children will see them perform. “It will hold their attention for about two songs and my youngest will be like: ‘Oh I’m a bit bored now’,” Simpson jokes. “But it will just be cool to get them to see the event. It would have blown my mind if I’d gone to see my dad and he was playing the O2 Arena.”

Their hit tracks will not be quite as you remember them. The group has gone back and revamped the vocals and even recorded collaborations with McFly, All Time Low, Simple Plan and more for a new album. But they were careful to not lose the youthful essence which made them connect with fans. “When you get to a certain point, a lot of bands get scared of the word nostalgia – you don’t want to become this nostalgia act, but nostalgia is really powerful,” Willis says. “When I saw Blink-182 do All The Small Things I lost my mind. That effect is massive because it reminds you of a special time in your life.”

“Our lives are formed through the music we listen to when we’re 15 and 16. Nothing will ever replace that,” Simpson adds. “So that nostalgia is part of us, it’s so powerful. I love it, it’s awesome.” Busted will play in Leeds and Bridlington as part of the tour.

Related topics:FireworksLondonTwitter