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McBusted
McBusted
McBusted
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McBusted were an English pop-punk supergroup composed of members from bands McFly (Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter, and Harry Judd) and Busted (James Bourne and Matt Willis). The only member of the original groups not participating in the new lineup was former Busted guitarist and vocalist Charlie Simpson.[2] He opted to focus on his solo career and his rock band Fightstar.[3]

Key Information

Having previously appeared as special guests during McFly's tenth-anniversary concerts at the Royal Albert Hall,[4] it was announced on 11 November 2013 that former Busted members Bourne and Willis would join McFly to form the six-piece supergroup "McBusted" and go on an arena tour in April and May 2014.[3] The original eleven-concert McBusted Tour quickly sold out and was eventually extended to 34 shows, including headlining Hyde Park on 6 July 2014. On 16 June 2014, McBusted made their overseas debut, supporting One Direction on their Where We Are Tour in Denmark. They then continued to support One Direction the following night, and again in France on 21 June. They went on to also support One Direction in 2015 on the Australian and European leg of their On the Road Again Tour as special guests. In April 2014, it was revealed that McBusted would be releasing an album.[5] On 7 October, they announced their debut single "Air Guitar", which debuted at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also announced that they had signed a record deal with Island Records. The band's self-titled debut album was released on 1 December and peaked at number nine.

On 10 November 2015, it was announced that Simpson had decided to rejoin Busted after 10 years away from the band, as a consequence Willis confirmed that McBusted had parted ways for the time being, but they "enjoyed every minute" of their time in the band. Fletcher had previously commented that although McBusted are no longer together, he will not rule out a reunion, stating it "definitely doesn't feel like the end".[6]

History

[edit]

2013: Background, formation and tour announcement

[edit]

From 19 to 22 September 2013, McFly commemorated their tenth anniversary by performing four concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.[7] During these shows Matt Willis and James Bourne made a surprise brief reunion as Busted when they joined as special guests. (Willis and Bourne's ex-bandmate Charlie Simpson, whose decision to quit Busted led to the band's break-up in January 2005, chose not to take part.)[4] Under the name "McBusted", the six-piece performed Busted's "Year 3000" and "Air Hostess" and McFly's "Shine a Light".[4] This sparked rumours that Busted could make a comeback.[4]

On 11 November 2013, it was announced that Willis and Bourne would join Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd and go on an eleven-date arena tour as McBusted in 2014, and play both Busted and McFly songs.[3] Simpson refused to be a part of McBusted as he wanted to focus on his own career, but he was paid a "six-figure sum" by Willis and Bourne after he sold his third of the copyrighted Busted name.[8] A source told the Daily Mirror that Simpson's decision not to be part of McBusted was an amicable one: "Charlie wishes the boys lots of luck but he wanted absolutely no involvement. All three sat down amicably and worked out a figure that everyone was happy with. Charlie made it clear in no uncertain terms that that's it for him and the boys now, it's finished."[8] Pre-sale tickets for the eleven shows went on sale at 9am on 14 November and sold out in minutes.[9] Tickets went on general sale the following morning and quickly sold out as well,[10] resulting in the addition of six more concerts in Glasgow, Bournemouth, London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester.[10] Another four dates were then added on 17 November, bringing the tour to 20 dates.[11] Since then, the tour has increased to a total 34 dates throughout April–June 2014. It comprises dates in Glasgow, Liverpool, Bournemouth, London, Newcastle, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham, Sheffield, Cardiff, Manchester, Brighton, Dublin and Belfast.[10] Regarding the tour, Judd said, "It's bigger than what Busted ever were and it's bigger than what McFly ever were".[12] On 9 December, McBusted announced that they would be headlining British Summer Time Hyde Park Festival on 6 July 2014 with the Backstreet Boys, The Vamps, Scouting for Girls and dance troupe Diversity as special guests.[12][13]

On 15 November, McBusted made their first official TV performance, appearing on Children in Need 2013 and playing a medley of four songs: "All About You", "Year 3000", "Air Hostess" and "Shine a Light".[14] A McBusted version of McFly's song "Love Is on the Radio" was released on 24 November.[15]

2014: McBusted Tour and McBusted

[edit]

Throughout April–June 2014, McBusted went on their 34-date sold-out nationwide tour.[10] Regarding the McBusted Tour, Judd said, "It's bigger than what Busted ever were and it's bigger than what McFly ever were".[12] On 6 July 2014, McBusted announced that they would be headlining British Summer Time Hyde Park, with the Backstreet Boys, Five, Scouting for Girls and dance troupe Diversity as special guests.[12][13] On 16 June, McBusted made their overseas debut, supporting One Direction on their Where We Are Tour in Denmark, following the cancellation of 5 Seconds of Summer.[16] McBusted then continued as the support act the following night, and again in France on 21 June.[17] On 10 September, it was announced that a McBusted concert film, Tourplay, would be released exclusively through Vue Cinemas on 28 October for one day.[18]

During an interview on The Jonathan Ross Show on 22 February 2014, Willis said: "We always said that we weren't going to say we were going to bring out music, because we didn't want to say that we were going to make music and it be terrible. But we went away, we did some writing and it wasn't terrible."[19] On 1 April, Judd revealed that McBusted would be making an album.[5] On 8 October, the official lyric video to their debut single "Air Guitar", was released; the song was made available to pre-order on iTunes the same day. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. On 23 October, the band announced that their debut album McBusted would be released on 1 December.[20] The album debuted and peaked at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold for sales of over 100,000.

2015: McBusted's Most Excellent Adventure Tour, international gigs

[edit]

On 4 November 2014, the band posted on their Twitter and Facebook pages: "It's possibly the worst kept secret in entertainment, but we are so stoked to announce the #McBusted2015Tour!!!"[21] On 26 January 2015, on their website, they announced that the tour would be called McBusted's Most Excellent Adventure Tour.[22] The tour lasted from 12 March to 22 April 2015, consisting of 21 shows. McBusted were also the support act for the Australian and European legs of One Direction's On the Road Again Tour in 2015.[23] During the Australian dates, McBusted announced and performed two of their own gigs, one in Sydney[24] and one in Melbourne.[25] A music video was shot for their song "Get Over It" in 2014 with the intention of releasing it as a single the next year. However James Bourne confirmed on Twitter that the release was scrapped.[26] A DVD and Blu-ray release of the 2015 tour, McBusted's Most Excellent Adventure Tour – Live at the O2, was released on 22 June 2015 and reached number one in the music video charts.[27]

Charlie Simpson's return to Busted and McBusted's future

[edit]

The band have nothing more planned, with the members saying they will sit down and discuss what is next. However, Fletcher has suggested that McBusted would end 2016 to allow for McFly to continue. He told Fabulous magazine that "McBusted was an opportunity to have fun without knowing where it would take us, but McFly is for life. McBusted has been amazing fun, but it's not where our passion is. McFly is more than a band, we live and breathe it. We want to make album number six."[28]

On 10 November 2015, Charlie Simpson returned to the original Busted line up with Willis and Bourne. In their first interview with Hunger TV, Willis touched on the future of McBusted stating "We've done McBusted, it was awesome, we loved every second of it. Now it's time to be in this band."[1] Although Fletcher commented that McBusted are done performing together at the minute, he also stated that it doesn't mean they won't perform together again and that "It's something that is always going to be there – it definitely doesn't feel like the end."[6] On 26 April McFly announced their comeback tour, Anthology Tour, in which they will perform the entirety of their five studio albums in four cities over three nights.

Busted marked their 20th anniversary in 2023 with the album Greatest Hits 2.0, which features McFly on the track "Thunderbirds 2.0". This marks the first collaboration between the bands since McBusted.[29]

Members

[edit]

Touring members

  • Jamie Norton  – keyboards (2014–2015)
  • Isaac Aryee  – keyboards (2014)

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
 AUS
[30] 		IRE
 SCO
McBusted 9 48 31 9

Video albums

[edit]
Title Details Notes
McBusted: Live at the O2 & TourPlay
  • Release: 24 November 2014[31]
  • Formats: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download
  • Label: Universal
  • Live at the O2 directed by Matt Askem
  • TourPlay directed by David Spearing
McBusted's Most Excellent Adventure Tour – Live at the O2
  • Release: 22 June 2015[32]
  • Formats: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download
  • Label: Universal
  • Directed by David Spearing[33]

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[34] 		SCO
"Air Guitar" 2014 12 14 McBusted
"Get Over It" 2015 82 —

Music videos

[edit]
Title Year Director(s)
"Air Guitar" 2014
"Get Over It" 2015

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

Supporting

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

McBusted

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
McBusted was a British pop rock supergroup formed in 2013 by combining members of the early 2000s bands and , creating a six-piece act that blended energy with nostalgic appeal. The group consisted of Busted's and alongside McFly's , , , and , excluding Busted's who declined to participate in the reunion. Emerging from the desire to revive the pop-punk sound of their original bands, McBusted debuted with a surprise performance at McFly's tenth anniversary concert in September 2013. The supergroup quickly gained traction, announcing their formation officially in early and embarking on a sold-out 11-date arena tour that , which expanded to 36 shows due to demand. Their self-titled debut , released on 1 2014 through , featured 12 original tracks including collaborations with artists like of Blink-182 and of , and peaked at number 9 on the while earning gold certification for over 100,000 units sold. Lead single "Air Guitar" reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, their only top 40 single, followed by "Get Over It" in early 2015. McBusted toured extensively in 2014 and 2015, including the "Most Excellent Adventure Tour" with a live concert video recorded at London's that topped the music DVD chart upon its June 2015 release, before going on hiatus later that year to allow members to focus on their original projects following 's reunion with . The group's brief run revitalized interest in early British , influencing subsequent reunions and tours by and , such as the 2025 "Busted vs. McFly" arena tour.

Background

Busted

Busted was an English band formed in , , in 2000 by (guitar and vocals) and (bass and vocals), who began writing and recording demos in Bourne's bedroom. After initially recruiting Ki McPhail as lead singer, the duo placed an advertisement in magazine seeking a frontman, leading to the addition of (lead vocals and guitar) in early 2001; McPhail soon departed. With this lineup solidified, the band secured a with in 2002, following promising demo sessions that showcased their energetic sound influenced by bands like Blink-182. The band's self-titled debut album, Busted, was released on 30 September 2002 and peaked at number 2 on the , spending 86 weeks in the Top 100 while earning 4× Platinum for sales exceeding 1.2 million copies. Key singles from the album included "What I Go to School For" (number 3, September 2002), "" (number 2, March 2003), and "Sleeping with the Light On" (number 3, August 2003), which helped establish Busted as a leading act in the UK's early 2000s revival with their humorous, school-themed lyrics and high-energy performances. Their second album, , arrived on 17 November 2003 and also reached number 2 on the , remaining in the Top 100 for 50 weeks; it featured more mature tracks and collaborations with producers like Steve Robson. Standout singles included "" (number 1, April 2003) and "" (number 1, November 2003), the latter becoming their first UK chart-topper and exemplifying their breakthrough blend of punk riffs and catchy pop hooks. Busted's rapid rise was marked by significant accolades and touring success, cementing their status as pop-punk trailblazers in the UK. At the 2004 BRIT Awards, they won Best British Pop Act and Best British Breakthrough Act, recognizing their commercial dominance with over 5 million records sold worldwide by that point. Their live shows evolved from club gigs supporting acts like The Calling in 2002 to headline arena tours, including the sold-out A Ticket for Everyone tour in early 2004 (which broke attendance records at venues like with 11 nights) and the follow-up A Ticket for Everyone Else later that year, often featuring setlists that functioned as de facto greatest hits collections given their string of top-10 singles. These tours highlighted the band's high-octane stage presence and fan engagement, contributing to the mainstream popularity of during the era. In January 2005, Busted announced an indefinite hiatus following internal tensions, primarily driven by Simpson's desire to pursue heavier ; he departed on 14 January to focus on his new band , which debuted with a tour that month. The split was confirmed by their label, ending the original trio's run after just over three years of activity. Bourne and Willis continued with side projects: Bourne formed the band in 2005, releasing the album Tickets in 2006, while Willis launched a solo career on , issuing his debut album Don't Let It Go to Waste in 2006 after singles like "Up All Night" (number 7, 2005). Years later, Bourne and Willis would reunite with Simpson for the supergroup McBusted in 2013.

McFly

McFly emerged in 2003 as the opening act for 's UK tour supporting their album , marking the band's early entry into the British pop-rock scene with a sound that echoed the pop-punk energy of their tourmates. Formed in by — who had auditioned unsuccessfully for but remained connected through mutual friends like —the group consisted of Fletcher on lead vocals, guitar, and piano; on lead vocals and guitar; on bass and vocals; and on drums. This lineup quickly caught attention, leading to a signing with in 2004, which launched their rapid ascent as a teen-oriented pop-rock act. The band's debut album, (2004), debuted at number one on the , earning them a as the youngest native British act to top the charts, with all members under 20 years old. Follow-up releases solidified their commercial dominance: Wonderland (2005) also hit number one, making the youngest band to achieve two chart-topping albums; (2006) continued their pop-rock formula with upbeat tracks; and (2010) marked a stylistic evolution toward electronic and influences while retaining their energetic core. Standout singles included "5 Colours in Her Hair" (2004, number 1, their first number-one single) and "All About You/You've Got a Friend" (2005, number 1), which captured their youthful, anthemic appeal and drove massive sales. McFly's success was underscored by prestigious accolades, including the 2005 BRIT Award for Best British Pop Act, recognizing their breakout year amid a wave of sensations. From 2010 to 2016, the band toured extensively to promote , performing across arenas and blending their evolving sound with fan favorites during the 2010–2011 outing, though chart performance began to wane as they navigated creative shifts. In 2016, McFly announced an indefinite hiatus amid internal tensions like jealousy over individual pursuits, though the members emphasized their enduring friendship and left the door open for future collaborations. During the hiatus, members pursued independent ventures that highlighted their creative breadth. , a prolific songwriter, penned hits for artists including and , amassing 10 number-one singles across his career while also authoring bestselling children's books. Danny Jones focused on production, contributing to tracks and remixing for other projects, alongside releasing his solo EP Muddy Water (2019) to explore personal songwriting.

History

2013–2014: Formation, debut album and McBusted Tour

McBusted was formed in November 2013 as a temporary supergroup merging members of —James and , excluding —with the full lineup of : , , , and . The collaboration was announced on 11 November 2013 during a at London's Hotel, where the six-piece lineup was revealed alongside plans for a joint arena tour the following year. The supergroup signed with to support the project, which was positioned as a nostalgic reunion capitalizing on the bands' shared roots from the early , while allowing Bourne and Willis to resolve lingering creative matters from Busted's earlier dissolution. This formation followed informal onstage collaborations, including surprise performances by Bourne and Willis during McFly's 10th-anniversary shows in September 2013. The McBusted Tour launched on 17 April 2014 at Glasgow's SSE Hydro and ran through June, encompassing 34 dates across the UK and Ireland, with additional shows added due to high demand. Pre-sale tickets sold out within minutes on 14 November 2013, prompting the expansion from an initial 11 concerts, and the full tour ultimately drew over 350,000 attendees. The setlist integrated hits from both bands, such as Busted's "Year 3000" and McFly's "All About You," delivered in high-energy performances featuring elaborate stage effects like pyrotechnics and inflatables, which critics praised for recapturing the bands' youthful exuberance and fan engagement. The tour concluded with a headline slot at British Summer Time in Hyde Park on 6 July 2014, solidifying McBusted's live appeal before shifting focus to studio work. Following the tour's success, McBusted recorded their debut self-titled album, released on 1 December 2014 via Island Records. The 12-track record debuted at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart, featuring original songs co-written and co-produced by band members including Fletcher and Jones, with additional production from Jason Perry and contributions from Blink-182's Mark Hoppus on tracks like "Hate Your Guts" and "Sensitive Guy." Key singles included "Air Guitar," which peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart upon its November 2014 release, alongside autobiographical cuts like "What Happened to Your Band," reflecting on the supergroup's origins and the members' post-hiatus journeys. The album's pop-punk sound blended new material with the bands' signature harmonies, marking a creative extension of their live momentum without incorporating direct covers of prior hits.

2015: Most Excellent Adventure Tour and hiatus

In early 2015, McBusted embarked on international promotional activities, including performances in and support slots for One Direction's in during February. These gigs featured high-energy sets blending hits from both Busted and McFly catalogs, setting the stage for their headline outing. The band's second major tour, McBusted's Most Excellent Adventure Tour, commenced on 12 2015 at The SSE Hydro in and concluded on 22 April at Belfast's Odyssey Arena, encompassing 21 arena dates across the and . The production drew inspiration from pop culture, including a motif with the band descending onto the stage in a DeLorean car prop, complemented by , arcade-themed visuals, and elaborate staging that evoked retro video games. Reviews highlighted the tour's bombastic energy, with indoor and interactive elements enhancing the nostalgic spectacle. The tour promoted tracks from their self-titled debut album, including the single "," which had peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart upon its November 2014 release. Another album cut, "What Happened to Your Band," received airplay and video promotion during the shows but charted modestly at number 69 on the UK Singles Sales Chart later that year. These performances underscored the group's fusion without introducing new material beyond the 2014 album. Following the tour's conclusion, McBusted entered an indefinite hiatus in late 2015, prompted by Charlie Simpson's decision to rejoin a reformed Busted lineup with Matt Willis and James Bourne for a 2016 arena tour and new album. The supergroup's members emphasized the pause as open-ended, allowing pursuits in their original bands and solo endeavors, with no formal disbandment declared and no additional music released thereafter. This shift marked the end of McBusted's active phase, though the tour itself was commercially successful, drawing large crowds to its nostalgic production.

2024–2025: Reunion and Busted vs. McFly Tour

In October 2024, McBusted teased their revival during McFly's 21st birthday concert at in , where Busted members , , and surprised the audience by joining McFly on stage for an impromptu performance, marking the first full six-member lineup since 2014. This appearance directly led to the official announcement of the "Busted vs. McFly Tour," a head-to-head format pitting (Bourne, Willis, Simpson) against McFly (Tom Fletcher, , , ), with fans voting on the superior set. The tour was formally revealed on , 2024, comprising an initial 14 arena dates across the and from September to October 2025, later extended to over 35 shows through November due to demand, including multiple nights at London's and OVO Wembley, Manchester's AO Arena, and stops in Birmingham, , , , Newcastle, Nottingham, , , , , and . Each evening featured competitive solo sets from the bands, blending their biggest hits like Busted's "" and McFly's "5 Colours in Her Hair" with deeper cuts and rarities, culminating in a joint McBusted encore of collaborative tracks such as "Shine a Light." Building anticipation, Busted and reunited for a special performance at Capital's on June 15, 2025, at , delivering a high-energy mash-up of "" and "5 Colours in Her Hair" to a crowd of over 80,000, showcasing the full lineup's chemistry ahead of the tour. The tour itself launched on September 16, 2025, in Birmingham; however, withdrew the day prior due to serious undisclosed health issues and was replaced by his brother Chris Bourne for all dates, with Busted performing as a duo augmented by the replacement. It quickly became the UK's largest arena run of the year, selling over 320,000 tickets across sold-out venues and earning praise for its nostalgic pop-rock energy, playful rivalry, and seamless band interplay. By November 2025, the tour had concluded its final dates, including November 8 in . However, Bourne's ongoing health concerns led to additional cancellations, such as a planned Radio 1 event, with stating on November 14 that Busted "could never perform again," casting uncertainty over potential future joint appearances, though no plans for a new McBusted album were confirmed.

Members

Current members

McBusted consisted of six core members, drawn from the original lineups of and , who formed the supergroup in 2013. (vocals, guitar) served as a primary songwriter for the group, playing a key role in blending Busted's tracks with McFly's style during McBusted's debut album and tours; as a Busted co-founder, he contributed significantly to new material like "." Bourne was sidelined from live performances due to health issues, missing the 2025 Busted vs. McFly tour; his condition remained ongoing as of November 2025, with bandmates expressing concerns about future performances. Matt Willis (vocals, bass) brought an energetic stage presence to McBusted's performances, co-writing new songs and handling bass lines that fused the bands' sounds; his dynamic delivery was central to the group's high-energy live shows. Tom Fletcher (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards) contributed lead vocals, intricate harmonies, and much of the production oversight for McBusted's recordings, drawing on his songwriting expertise to integrate pop-rock elements from both parent bands. (vocals, guitar, drums, harmonica) led on rock-oriented vocals and guitar riffs, while also influencing tour direction and adding multi-instrumental versatility, such as harmonica solos in live sets. (Note: Using for instrument list consistency, but primary from interviews) (bass, vocals) provided bass support and backing vocals with a pop flair, contributing to the group's visual style and aesthetic through his fashion influence during promotions and tours. Harry Judd (drums, vocals) anchored the rhythmic foundation on drums, essential for McBusted's live energy, and occasionally added backing vocals to enhance the full-band sound. Charlie Simpson, Busted's former lead singer, has made occasional guest appearances, such as during the 2025 tour on the Busted side, but is not a core McBusted member.

Timeline

McBusted was formed in November 2013 as a supergroup consisting of the four members of —, , , and —along with two members of , and —resulting in a full six-member lineup. This lineup remained intact through the band's debut album release in 2014 and their subsequent tours in 2014 and 2015. Following the completion of the Most Excellent Adventure Tour in 2015, McBusted entered an indefinite hiatus, with all six members pursuing separate projects thereafter. reformed in late 2015 with the addition of to the lineup alongside Bourne and Willis, leading to new album releases and tours for that band. Meanwhile, McFly's members conducted their Anthology Tour in 2016 before taking their own hiatus, during which Fletcher, Jones, Poynter, and Judd focused on solo endeavors, including individual music releases and television appearances. The McBusted project remained dormant from 2016 through 2023, with no collective activities involving the full six members. In October 2024, a reunion was announced for 2025 in the form of the Busted vs. McFly Tour, a temporary featuring the core six McBusted members—Fletcher, Jones, Poynter, Judd, , and —alongside Simpson for select performances in a head-to-head format between the two original bands, with no indication of permanent lineup changes. The tour commenced on September 16, 2025, in Birmingham, but withdrew from participation the day prior due to undisclosed health issues, leaving the performances to proceed with 's four members competing against 's remaining duo of and Simpson, augmented by occasional joint segments. The tour concluded on October 30, 2025, emphasizing the event as a one-off collaborative venture rather than a full supergroup revival.
Year(s)Active StatusKey Events
2013–2015Full six-member lineup (Bourne, Willis, Fletcher, Jones, Poynter, Judd)Formation in November 2013; debut album McBusted released November 2014; McBusted Tour (April–June 2014) and Most Excellent Adventure Tour (May–July 2015), all members present.
2015–2023Hiatus; no collective activityBusted reforms with Simpson in November 2015; McFly's Tour in September 2016; members focus on solo projects, including Busted albums (2016, 2019) and individual McFly endeavors.
2024–2025Temporary reunion with adjustmentsBusted vs. Tour announced October 2024, planned with core six plus Simpson; Bourne withdraws September 15, 2025, due to health issues; tour runs September 16–October 30, 2025 (concluded), featuring McFly's four vs. Willis and Simpson, with joint collaborations.

Musical style and influences

Musical style

McBusted's musical style is primarily rooted in , characterized by fast tempos, catchy hooks, and humorous, adolescent-themed lyrics that blend the edgier punk influences of with McFly's melodic pop sensibilities. The group's sound emphasizes power chords, heavy riffs, and shouty choruses, creating an energetic, fist-pumping vibe suitable for arena audiences. The self-titled debut album, released in , exemplifies this synthesis through a mix of original tracks and covers, featuring gang vocals and layered harmonies that amplify its nostalgic, collaborative spirit. For instance, the cover of "Playing with Fire" retains the original's punk edge with added group dynamics, while new songs like "Get Over It" incorporate electro elements, synths, and squealing guitar licks for a skate-punk-infused bounce. Tracks such as "" highlight the album's fun, pacey attitude with theatrical riffs and cultural references, maintaining a pop-leaning punk-pop identity without straying into heavier territory. In live performances, McBusted's arrangements deliver high-energy renditions with dual guitars and prominent drums, focusing on anthemic choruses that encourage audience singalongs and pogoing. Their 2014–2015 tours showcased relentlessly catchy, bubblegum-like hooks that stuck with crowds, blending ludicrous humor and pop-rock punch.

Influences

McBusted's sound synthesized the influences of its founding bands, and , creating a blend of pop-punk energy and melodic pop accessibility. 's style was prominently shaped by pop-punk acts like Blink-182, whose irreverent humor and driving rhythms informed the group's playful lyrics and guitar-driven tracks. Similarly, Green Day's early punk melodies echoed in 's edgier compositions, contributing a raw, adolescent edge to their music. McFly, in contrast, incorporated and pop elements, with Queen's intricate harmonies and theatrical flair directly inspiring their third album, . The band also drew from Michael Jackson's accessible pop structures and performance dynamism, evident in their emphasis on catchy hooks and vocal layering. As a supergroup, McBusted expanded these roots through shared affinities for the 2000s pop-punk scene, including Weezer's geeky introspection and Wheatus's lighthearted narratives, which surfaced in their self-titled debut album. This synthesis was highlighted by collaborations with Blink-182's and Weezer's on that album, underscoring the group's reverence for these foundational influences. Additionally, a collective admiration for rock—symbolized by the film's soundtrack—influenced their thematic tours, such as the 2014 McBusted Tour's opening sequence.

Discography

Studio albums

McBusted released their self-titled debut and only studio album on 1 December 2014 through . The record consists of 12 original tracks written by the band members in collaboration with various songwriters, blending energy with themes of , heartbreak, and lighthearted rebellion. Production was led by Steve Robson and Matt Prime, with additional contributions from band members and , who handled mixing and co-production on several songs. The album was recorded across multiple studios in the UK, emphasizing the group's collaborative songwriting process. The album debuted at number 9 on the and number 6 on the Official Albums Chart Update, spending 10 weeks in the top 100. It has been certified Gold by the (BPI) for combined sales and streaming equivalent to 100,000 units in the UK. First-week physical sales were modest compared to the band's earlier projects, reflecting a niche fanbase appeal amid a shifting music landscape. Reception was mixed, with critics praising its fun, unpretentious vibe while critiquing its juvenile lyrics and formulaic structure. The described it as capturing "adolescent sentiments" in thrashy tracks diluted for mainstream tastes, but highlighted witty moments in songs like "." Louder Than War called it a "ridiculously fun debut packed with huge riffs and sassy lyrics," appealing to fans of . No further studio albums were produced following the band's entry into hiatus in 2015. As of November 2025, no new studio albums have been released. A deluxe edition added three bonus tracks: "23:59," "I Don't Wanna Get Over You," and "Crying Out Loud." The Japanese release included additional live recordings of earlier hits such as "Air Hostess," "Obviously," "You Said No," and "Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now)," serving as reimaginings of the members' pre-McBusted material.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Air Guitar"Fletcher, Bourne, Willis, Robson3:18
2"Hate Your Guts" (featuring Mark Hoppus)Fletcher, Poynter, Hoppus2:10
3"What Happened to Your Band"Bourne, Fields, Raphael, Henriksen3:57
4"Get Over It"Fletcher, Robson, Gaskarth, Judd3:30
5"Riding on My Bike"Willis, Fletcher, Jones3:37
6"Gone"Poynter, Fletcher3:44
7"Sensitive Guy"Bourne, Willis2:40
8"Beautiful Girls Are the Loneliest"Jones, Fletcher3:45
9"Before You Knew Me"Poynter, Judd3:45
10"Back in Time"Bourne, Fletcher2:57
11"How's My Hair?"Willis, Jones4:06
12"Getting It Out"Fletcher, Bourne, Poynter2:45
Total length: 39:49

Singles

McBusted released three official singles from their self-titled debut between late 2014 and 2015, marking their entry into the market as a supergroup. The band's singles emphasized high-energy, humorous lyrics and guitar-driven hooks, aligning with their formation as a merger of and members. These tracks served as promotional vehicles for the and their ongoing tours, though none achieved top-ten status despite the group's established fanbase. The , "," was released on 23 November 2014 and debuted at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks in the top 75. This upbeat track captured the band's playful spirit and helped build anticipation for the album's December launch. It represented McBusted's first original material as a unit, blending influences from both parent bands to appeal to nostalgic 2000s pop-rock audiences. Following the album's release, "Get Over It" emerged as the second single on 11 2015, peaking at number 82 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's themes of moving on from heartbreak resonated with the band's youthful, relatable style but saw limited commercial traction compared to the debut. It underscored McBusted's focus on concise, anthemic choruses typical of their . The third and final single, "What Happened to Your Band?," arrived on 10 November 2014 and reached number 69 on the UK Singles Chart, with just one week on the chart. Released amid promotion for the album, it tied into the narrative of their supergroup origins, reflecting on band dynamics and longevity in a promotional context. This track highlighted McBusted's self-referential humor but marked the end of their active single output. Additionally, "Hate Your Guts" featuring Blink-182's was issued as a digital single in 2014 alongside the album, but it did not enter the UK charts. No further singles were released after , including during the 2024–2025 reunion tour announcements, with the band focusing instead on live performances of existing material. As of November , no new singles have been released.
TitleRelease dateUK peakCertifications
"Air Guitar"23 November 201412None
"Get Over It"11 January 201582None
"What Happened to Your Band?"10 November 201469None

Video albums

McBusted's primary video release is McBusted's Most Excellent Adventure Tour – Live at the , a DVD and Blu-ray capturing the finale of their 2015 arena tour at London's on April 5, 2015. Released on June 22, 2015, by UK, the production features a 20-track setlist blending hits from and , including medleys such as "Busted Medley" and "McFly Medley," with high-definition footage emphasizing elaborate , stage effects, and audience engagement. A deluxe edition includes 30 minutes of additional behind-the-scenes extras and a photo booklet, enhancing the immersive experience of the band's live performance energy. The release peaked at number 18 on the UK Official DVD Chart. Earlier, in 2014, McBusted issued Live at the O2 and TourPlay, a double-DVD set documenting the closing show of their inaugural tour on April 24, 2014, at the same venue, alongside promotional content. Released on November 24, 2014, the live segment mirrors the production with a similar 20-track format focused on collaborative medleys and high-energy visuals of crowd interaction and . TourPlay, directed by , offers behind-the-scenes footage from the supergroup's 2013 formation announcement and 2014 album recording sessions, providing insight into their creative process and bundled as part of the package without separate deluxe variants. This release reached number 56 on the Official DVD Chart. Promotional videos from McBusted's early years, including clips of tour preparations and studio work, were integrated into these releases rather than standalone products. As of November 2025, teaser clips from the —such as performance mash-ups and stage intros—have appeared on platforms like and , but no full video album has been announced. No new video albums have been released.

Tours

McBusted Tour

The was the supergroup's inaugural concert series, comprising 33 sold-out arena shows across the and from April to June 2014. Kicking off on 17 April at the SSE Hydro in and concluding on 2 June at The O2 in , the tour played major venues including London's (three nights) and the First Direct Arena in . It drew a total attendance of approximately 350,000 fans, averaging around 10,600 per performance. The production emphasized high-energy spectacle, with elaborate staging featuring large LED screens displaying vibrant patterns and visuals, alongside theatrical elements like the band arriving onstage in a DeLorean time machine. Performances incorporated multiple costume changes to match the pop-punk theme, enhancing the dynamic flow. The setlist typically ran over 25 songs, mixing Busted and McFly hits such as "Air Hostess," "Year 3000," "5 Colours in Her Hair," and "Obviously," with previews of upcoming material from their forthcoming album. Support acts varied by date, including The 3 Dudes for the early leg and Hollywood Ending for later shows. Commercially, the tour achieved rapid sell-outs, starting with initial dates vanishing in minutes and prompting additional announcements to meet demand, underscoring the nostalgic draw of the combined catalogs. It marked one of 2014's standout pop successes, boosting visibility ahead of the group's debut album release later that year. Critics and audiences lauded the tour for the members' evident chemistry and infectious energy, evoking early-2000s nostalgia while delivering fresh entertainment. The Guardian's review praised the show as "funny, idiosyncratic and ridiculously smart," highlighting the band's humorous interplay and crowd engagement during the performances. Fans echoed this sentiment, celebrating the reunion's joyful revival of beloved tracks.

Most Excellent Adventure Tour

The Most Excellent Adventure Tour was McBusted's second major , comprising 21 arena dates across the and from 12 March to 22 April 2015. The tour kicked off at Glasgow's SSE Hydro and concluded at Belfast's Odyssey Arena, featuring high-energy performances that blended anthems from both and catalogs with tracks from McBusted's 2014 debut album. Support acts included band and British group New City Kings, adding to the lively atmosphere of the sold-out run. Thematically inspired by 1980s pop culture—drawing its name from the film —the production incorporated nostalgic elements such as an arcade machine-shaped stage with interactive 8-bit graphics, Super Mario-style visuals, and a prop that descended from the rafters for dramatic entrances. Performers donned era-appropriate costumes, enhancing the playful, time-travel motif that evoked films like . The setlist typically spanned around 25 songs, opening with the live debut of "" from their album and including fan favorites like "," "Five Colours in Her Hair," and "," delivered with theatrical skits and pyrotechnics. Critically, the tour received positive reception for its exuberant staging and nostalgic appeal, with awarding it four out of five stars and noting the band's heightened energy and seamless integration of humor with musicianship. Reviews highlighted the production's bombastic elements, such as a Street Fighter-inspired band battle and a finale blending multiple hits, which captivated audiences and underscored McBusted's chemistry as a supergroup. As the final full-scale outing before the band's indefinite hiatus later that year, the tour encapsulated the joyful, high-octane spirit of their collaborative era.

Busted vs. McFly Tour

The Busted vs. Tour was a 2025 co-headline arena tour pitting the pop-rock bands and against each other in a competitive "battle of the bands" format, expanded to approximately 35 shows across the and from to November due to demand. The tour commenced on 16 at the bp pulse LIVE Arena in Birmingham and included key performances such as 19 at OVO Arena Wembley in , 17–18 October at AO Arena in , and 5 November at in , before concluding on 6 November at Utilita Arena . Each show featured distinct headline sets from and , alternating performances with one-on-one "duel" segments, culminating in joint encores of McBusted collaboration tracks like "Air Hostess" and "Hate Your Guts." Production elements emphasized the versus theme through duel staging on opposite sides of the arena, dynamic lighting and visuals synced to each band's set, and interactive fan engagement, including occasional song selections influenced by audience input via app or venue polls. Busted's lineup comprised and , with absent due to health concerns that led to his pre-tour withdrawal; McFly performed as their classic quartet of , , , and . The typical setlist spanned approximately 30-40 songs, blending early 2000s hits like McFly's "5 Colours in Her Hair" and Busted's "" with deeper cuts and covers, delivering over two hours of high-energy nostalgia. The tour marked a commercial triumph, selling more than 320,000 tickets across its expanded run—including added dates due to demand—and achieving sell-outs at every major venue, solidifying it as the UK's largest arena tour of 2025. It underscored the enduring appeal of both acts to millennial audiences and younger fans discovering their music. Reception highlighted the tour's nostalgic revival, with critics lauding the infectious energy, seamless band interplay, and crowd sing-alongs that evoked peak pop-rock fervor; awarded it top marks for the "hefty 90-minute bout of greatest hits," while other outlets praised McFly's slight edge in vibrancy but celebrated the overall jovial rivalry. Post-tour statements from tour agent Paul Franklin emphasized its unique success, noting "potential for more touring adventures" and the challenge of replicating such a concept, though paused immediate future plans amid Bourne's ongoing health recovery.

Music videos

McBusted released official music videos to promote the singles from their self-titled debut album.
TitleDirectorRelease date
""6 November 2014
"Get Over It"Chris Marrs Piliero17 December 2014
"What Happened to Your Band?"2 2015

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