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McFly are a British pop rock band formed in London in 2003.[1][2] The band took their name from the Back to the Future character Marty McFly. The band consists of Tom Fletcher (lead vocals, guitar, and piano), Danny Jones (lead vocals, harmonica, and guitar), Dougie Poynter (bass guitar, vocals) and Harry Judd (drums). They were signed to Island Records from their 2004 launch until December 2007, before creating their own label, Super Records.[3]

Key Information

McFly rose to fame after fellow band Busted, with whom they later formed McBusted, helped launch them by inviting them to tour in 2004. In 2005, they won the Brit Award for Best British Pop Act.[4] McFly's debut album, Room on the 3rd Floor, debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and is certified as double platinum;[5] this led to them taking the record, in the Guinness Book of Records, as being the youngest band ever to have an album debut at number one—a title taken from the Beatles.[6] A month after the album was released, the band had their first UK headlining tour.[7]

The band's second album, Wonderland, which was released in 2005, also charted at number one in the UK[8] making them the youngest band to have topped the UK Albums Chart twice.[9] Their third album, Motion in the Ocean, was released on 6 November 2006 and charted at number 6 in the UK.[10] McFly released their All the Greatest Hits compilation album on 5 November 2007, which charted at number 4 in the UK.[11] The band's fourth studio album, Radio:Active, was given away for free as a supplement in the Mail on Sunday on 20 July 2008, before being released in the conventional manner (via physical release) on 2 September 2008. Their fifth album, Above the Noise, was released in November 2010 and charted at number 20.

In November 2013, it was announced that McFly would be joining forces with Busted to form the "supergroup" McBusted. They played a 34-date tour with both Busted and McFly songs.[12] The only member of the original groups not to participate in the new line-up was former Busted singer Charlie Simpson.[13] After Simpson's return to Busted in November 2015, McFly made a return and sold out their Anthology Tour in September 2016. After that, the band took an indefinite hiatus, with their Twitter account confirming that the boys were focusing on solo projects in 2018.[14] In January 2019, Poynter confirmed via a podcast that the band would be reforming that year with a new album and tour.[15] In September the band announced a new album of previously unreleased material and a concert at the O2 Arena in November 2019,[16] followed by a 2020 come-back arena tour, this would however be delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their sixth album, Young Dumb Thrills, was released in 2020.[17]

According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), McFly has been certified for 2 million albums and 3.6 million singles in the UK.[18] and more than 10 million records worldwide. As of 2016, McFly have had 18 consecutive UK top 20 singles, seven of which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and fifteen of which were consecutive top ten singles.

History

[edit]

2002–2004: Formation and Room on the 3rd Floor

[edit]

In 2001, Tom Fletcher auditioned for Busted,[19] but lost out on the place to Charlie Simpson. Fletcher was originally accepted as part of Busted's line-up, but Island Records went on to reassess the situation and eventually decided to have the band as a three-piece rather than a four-piece. Though the record label decided against offering Fletcher a place in Busted, they were intrigued by his songwriting talents and later offered him a place on Busted's songwriting 'team', alongside band member (and already accomplished songwriter) James Bourne, whom Fletcher credits with helping him to compose melodies.[20]

While writing Busted's second album, A Present for Everyone, Fletcher was asked by the record label if he was available to film auditions for a new band, V. It was at this time that Jones and Fletcher met for the first time; Danny Jones went to the audition mistaking the band to be an instrumental band rather than the conventional, all-singing, all-dancing boyband, for which they were intended.[21] Fletcher was impressed with Jones' unique style and so approached and invited him to write with himself and Bourne. When writing projects for Busted had come to an end, the two began collaborating for their own (yet unnamed) band and, eventually, moved into the InterContinental Hotel in London for two months, (while still receiving help from Bourne)[22] to concentrate on writing together. Bassist Dougie Poynter and drummer Harry Judd were subsequently recruited via a classified advertisement in the NME magazine.[19] The pair, both from Essex, coincidentally turned up at the same audition and discussed their shared appreciation of the band the Starting Line, after Poynter noticed their name and logo was printed on Judd's T-shirt.

McFly's early sound was surf/pop rock. Their debut single, "5 Colours in Her Hair", released 29 March 2004, entered the UK Singles Chart at number 1 in April 2004 and stayed there the following week.[23] In July 2004 their second single, "Obviously", also topped the charts.[24] This was followed by the album Room on the 3rd Floor debuting at number 1 in the UK Albums Chart.[21] It would go on to be certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.[5] The album broke records, as McFly earned an award from Guinness World Records for being the youngest band to have a debut album enter the charts in the top position, a distinction previously held by The Beatles.[6] The idea for the album name came from where Jones and Fletcher wrote most of the songs for the album: room 363 in the InterContinental Hotel in London.[22] The third single, "That Girl", was released on 6 September 2004, placing at number 3.[11] The fourth single, Room on the 3rd Floor, the album's title track, was released on 15 November 2004 and reached number 5.[25] McFly supported Busted on their nationwide arena tour[21] along with V in February 2004 and then had their first headlining tour in September 2004.[7]

2004–2007: Wonderland and Motion in the Ocean

[edit]

In March 2005, McFly released a double A-side of "All About You/You've Got a Friend" from their second album, Wonderland, which featured a 60-piece orchestra. The single reached number 1 for a week on 13 March 2005, with all profits donated to Comic Relief.[11][26] The video for "You've Got a Friend" was shot in Uganda, Africa, which McFly visited for to raise awareness for the cause.[27][28] Several months later, on 2 July, McFly co-headlined Live 8 Japan, with Björk and Good Charlotte and also took part in the London concert at Hyde Park. The second single from Wonderland, "I'll Be OK", was released in the UK on 15 August 2005 and scored them their fourth UK number 1.[11] The album itself was released on 29 August 2005 entering at number 1.[11] The third single from Wonderland, "I Wanna Hold You", was released on 17 October 2005 with an unknown song Easy Way Out on the single and it gave them their 6th top 3 single.[11] Their fourth and final single, "Ultraviolet/The Ballad of Paul K" from Wonderland was released on 12 December 2005 and reached number 9.[11] McFly headlined their Wonderland Arena Tour, which started on 15 September 2005, supported by Tyler James and Famous Last Words. A DVD of the tour, recorded live at the MEN Arena in Manchester, was released on 28 November.[29] The band also played at the 2005 Royal Variety Performance.[30] Nemesis, an inverted roller coaster at the Alton Towers theme park was renamed Wonderland for a month in 2005 to celebrate the album's release. The band were filmed riding Nemesis with competition winners by music show CD:UK.[31]

In 2006, McFly turned their attentions to the United States, appearing in the Lindsay Lohan movie Just My Luck,[32] released on 12 May, three days after the soundtrack of the movie, which comprised McFly songs taken from both Room on the 3rd Floor and Wonderland,[33] as well as a new version of "Five Colours in Her Hair". The band played several gigs in Los Angeles and New York,[34] as well as attending the American premiere of Just My Luck in Hollywood.[33]

Tom Fletcher of McFly performs onstage at Nottingham Arena during McFly's Motion in the Ocean Tour in 2006.

McFly's first single of 2006 was "Please, Please", released in the UK as a double A-side with a cover of the Queen hit "Don't Stop Me Now" on 17 July as the official song for Sport Relief 2006.[35][36] It reached number 1 in the UK charts on 23 July, making it the band's fifth number 1 single of their career. On 14 September 2006, it was confirmed via an email newsletter from McFly's official website that the third album would be called Motion in the Ocean.[37] The album was released on 6 November 2006 and reached number 6.[10] The second release from the album, "Star Girl", was released on 23 October 2006, to promote the album.[38] "Star Girl" reached number 1 in its first week.[11] The third release from the album, "Sorry's Not Good Enough/Friday Night", was released on 18 December 2006, and reached number 3 in the UK singles charts. "Friday Night" is featured in the movie Night at the Museum, which was released on 22 December 2006, in Canada and the US and 26 December 2006, in the UK.[39] Their next single, "Baby's Coming Back/Transylvania", was released on 7 May 2007, becoming the band's seventh number 1.[11] The original single release date was due to be 26 February,[40] but the band took up the offer to return at that time to the town of Kamwokya in Uganda, which they previously visited for Comic Relief in 2005.[41] Until 1 January 2016,"Baby's Coming Back/Transylvania" held the record for the biggest fall from number one for a non-limited edition single. It fell from number 1 to number 20 after a week, matching a limited edition Elvis Presley single, "One Night". This record was broken by the 2015 NHS charity single A Bridge Over You; after becoming the Christmas number one on 25 December 2015, the single fell to Number 29 the following week.[42]

McFly held their Motion in the Ocean tour from 17 September 2006 and were supported by The Click Five and Nylon.[43][44] They also held their McFly Up Close and Personal tour, supported by Lil' Chris,[45] which started on 20 March 2007, and consisted of performing in twenty four locations not covered by their arena tours over thirty four dates.[46] Motion in the Ocean was re-released as a double disc edition with "Baby's Coming Back" and DVD from the Wembley show on 14 May 2007 and reached number 14.[11][47]

2007–2009: All the Greatest Hits, touring and Radio:Active

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McFly's All the Greatest Hits compilation album was released on 5 November 2007 and reached number 4 in the charts.[11] The first single from the album, The Heart Never Lies, which reached number 3 in the UK singles chart,[11] was premiered at the V Festival in August.[48] The album also featured two new songs alongside "The Heart Never Lies", "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Don't Wake Me Up". The band went on a 26-date Greatest Hits tour for a month, starting near the end of November 2007[49] supported by Elliot Minor[50] and Saving Aimee,[51] to promote the album.

On 23 February and 1 March 2008, they performed two small gigs at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney, Australia while recording Radio:Active. They performed the same set list as for their Greatest Hits tour. It was here where they recorded the crowd singing "we don't care" which was later used on their single "One for the Radio".[citation needed] A compilation album of B-Sides was also released on 3 December 2007, The Greatest Bits: B-Sides & Rarities, which contains 12 B-sides of their UK singles.

On 20 May 2008, McFly confirmed that their fourth studio album would be titled Radio:Active (typeset as Radio:ACTIVE). It was recorded in Australia, and given away for free as a supplement in The Mail on Sunday on 20 July 2008. It was subsequently released in stores on 22 September 2008 with four additional tracks, a DVD and a 32-page booklet. The album was announced after McFly confirmed that they had left Island Records as they were unhappy with some of the decisions that the label was making for them.[52] Since announcing the launch of their new record label, the band have said that they "won't rule out" signing other acts, but that for the moment they're just concentrating on releasing their "own stuff".[53] Radio:Active mixes their love of vintage rock with a British twist on the modern pop-rock sound.[54]

Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones at the Hammersmith Apollo, 1 May 2009.

The first single released from the Radio:Active album was "One for the Radio",[55] a song about as the band's "constant struggle for critical acceptance".[56] The single was premiered on BBC Radio 1's Switch with Nick Grimshaw on 1 June 2008[57] and was released on 14 July 2008.[58] As of 25 June 2008, "One for the Radio" was included in Radio 2's A list,[59] meaning that it receives primary airplay during the daytime. The single charted at number 2 in the charts. The album was recorded, and produced in Australia. McFly performed a showcase concert on 10 July 2008 at Shepherd's Bush Empire[60] and performed another concert at KOKO on 24 July 2008 as part of the iTunes Live Festival '08.[61] An EP of the performance, released 4 August 2008, was made available to download from the iTunes Store. The second single from the album, "Lies", was released on 15 September 2008 and reached number 4 in the charts.

McFly embarked on their sixth arena tour in 2008, starting from 7 November 2008, attending 14 dates,[62] supported by manufactured pop band Avenue and Indie pop rock band Reemer. They also performed four concerts in Brazil from 5 October 2008 to 11 October 2008. The third single from the album was "Do Ya/Stay With Me", released 23 November 2008. The song was released in aid of 2008's Children in Need and reached number 18 in the UK Singles Chart, the lowest charting position of any of their singles to date, and their first single not to reach Top 10. In 2009 McFly decided to once again arrange a tour to situate smaller venues, this time being called Up Close... And This Time It's Personal starting on 18 April in Amsterdam. They then did 14 dates in the UK before going on to do 7 dates in South America including Brasil, Argentina and Chile. David Archuleta, the American Idol runner up, supported them on their UK stint.[63]

McFly achieved their third number 1 album, Radio:Active, with the Radio:Active – Live at Wembley Tour DVD on 17 May 2009. The Up Close... And This Time It's Personal tour ended on 9 June. Later this month Mcfly did 3 shows for the forestry commission, which are concerts that take place every year to raise awareness of the UK forests. They were supported by indie-rock band Vagabond. Also in June, McFly made a surprise appearance at the Jonas Brothers' show at Wembley Stadium on 15 June, joining them on stage to sing "Star Girl".

2010–2012: Above the Noise and Memory Lane: The Best of McFly

[edit]

In Autumn 2010, McFly re-signed and partnered with their previous Label (Island Records) to create and launch an interactive website, Super City, which provided fans with unprecedented access to the band. Subscribers would be able to download CDs before they were sold in stores. They would also gain access to video streams, web-chats, VIP access at gigs, and first call on tickets.[64] This website was developed in a hope to combat any leaks (piracy) and gain loyalty from their fans, as they would have access to any new materials before they could be leaked.[65] The website had about 50,000 visitors the first day, causing the site to shut down for two weeks.[66]

The first single from their fifth album, "Party Girl", was written in Atlanta with Dallas Austin.[67] It premiered on 14 July on BBC Radio 1 and was released on 5 September and reached number 6 in the UK charts. The "Party Girl" music video was voted number 1 by fans, in the 4Music Video Honours of 2010.[citation needed] The album, Above the Noise, was released on 15 November. It debuted at number 20 in the album charts and reached number 7 in the album download charts. The second single released from the album was "Shine a Light", a song penned with Taio Cruz. "Shine a Light" reached number 3 in the UK charts. The third single, "That's the Truth", was released on 6 March 2011.

The band made a mini 30-minute-long movie titled Nowhere Left to Run which featured a vampire theme along with a sex scene involving Judd. The "Party Girl" video was taken from the movie. This was released on DVD on 29 November exclusively to HMV stores. The film has since been panned by the band themselves.

Backstage at McFly's Above the Noise Tour

In August 2011, McFly announced that they would be doing a tour consisting of 26 dates around the UK in March/April 2012. On 1 November McFly teamed up with Gioia Jewellery to release their first official jewellery range designs include each member's SuperCity logo.[68] On 4 December, Poynter won the eleventh series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.[69] On 17 December, Judd won the ninth series of Strictly Come Dancing.

On the band's latest tour, entitled Keep Calm and Play Louder Tour, they showcased three brand new songs entitled "Do Whatcha", "Red" and "Touch the Rain", all of which would be on their sixth studio album.

Judd was invited to carry the Olympic Torch as part of the Olympic Torch Relay Run for the 2012 London Olympics. On 4 August 2012, McFly played for a crowd of 50,000 people at an outdoor show in Hyde Park as part of the Olympic BTLondonLive celebration.

In September 2012, McFly played four shows in America. Two at L.A.'s famed Roxy and two at New York's legendary Gramercy Theatre. All four shows sold out in less than a minute and fans lined up hours before the shows. On the American shows, they premiered another brand new song entitled "Love Is Easy". In 2012, it was announced an autobiography entitled Unsaid Things: Our Story would be due for release on Amazon Stores in October 2012 and to coincide with the autobiography, the band also announced that they would be releasing another Greatest Hits album. Fletcher announced on Twitter that their next single would be "Red" as it had been so well received on the tour but this was later changed to "Love Is Easy", which was released on 11 November 2012, a week before the new Greatest Hits compilation.

In September 2012, for the final Chris Moyles Show, the band put together a special video for Chris's feature McFly day, where he would normally play Star Girl every Friday (since January 2010), this latest edition was called Star Boy as a tribute, thanking Chris Moyles for playing "Star Girl" every week.

In October 2012, it was announced that they would release a greatest hits which is titled Memory Lane: The Best of McFly featuring most of the band's hits and 3 brand new songs, Love Is Easy, "Do Whatcha" and "Cherry Cola". The album was released on 26 November 2012 and the new single "Love Is Easy" was released on 18 November 2012. It debuted at number 10, with the album following at number 21. A few weeks before "Love Is Easy" was due to go on sale, McFly announced that they would bring the release date forward a week, meaning that the new release date would be 11 November 2012. In November 2012, they also announced that they would be doing 18 tour dates in the UK between April and May 2013 in support of the album.

On 11 October 2012, McFly published their first autobiography, Unsaid Things: Our Story, named after a song from their first album. The book was a tell-all story which featured exclusive information that they revealed for the first time from the band's start to their present. They shared stories about their childhoods, the band's rise to fame and even the challenges they faced along the way.

2013–2015: Planned sixth studio album and McBusted

[edit]

McFly confirmed that they would embark an original 18-date tour (21 later) to promote their 2012 Memory Lane: The Best of McFly album which would run from April–May. They were joined for some for these dates by James Bourne. McFly went on several writing trips for the writing stage of this album and worked with Matt Willis and Bourne in writing. Titles for songs were to be "Hyperion", "Break Me", "We Were Only Kids", "Dare You To Move", "Hammer Ring", "Josephine", "Love Is Easy", "Do Watcha", "Cherry Cola", "Red", "Love Is on the Radio" and "Touch the Rain". "Love Is Easy" was released as a single in 2012 while "Do Watcha" and "Cherry Cola" were both featured on Memory Lane: The Best of McFly. "Red" and "Touch the Rain" were both previewed during McFly's Keep Calm and Play Louder tour in 2012. "Love Is on the Radio" was previewed during McFly's 10th anniversary shows at the Royal Albert Hall in 2013. "Love Is on the Radio", the first single taken from their new album, was released on 24 November.[70] The album was due to be released in the northern spring of 2014, but this has been put on hold. In the McBusted biography by Jennifer Parker it was hinted that the sixth album was abandoned in favour of the debut album of McBusted.[71] In November 2013, the band wrote and performed the new theme tune to The Paul O'Grady Show.[72]

McBusted performing in 2014

In late January 2013, McFly went on a writing trip with Bourne and wrote five songs. In early April, McFly uploaded a video of an acoustic live demo called 'My TVR' to their official YouTube account. The song was written with Bourne. On 19 May the band announced via their Twitter page that they would also be playing a two-date special concert at the Royal Albert Hall in celebration of their 10th anniversary as a band. Due to huge demand, two extra dates were announced. In addition, the Saturday show was streamed live from the band's website for fans who couldn't attend. During an interview with the Big Top 40 Webchat, Fletcher described the shows as his "favourite shows we've ever played".[73][better source needed] All four shows were held in September and featured McBusted, a surprise collaboration between McFly and Busted, minus Charlie Simpson. Following the shows with Busted, the two bands announced a 30-date UK arena tour as McBusted. The McBusted Tour was the biggest tour of 2014.[74]

In 2015, they embarked on a second McBusted tour, McBusted's Most Excellent Adventure Tour. They also released a DVD following the tour.

On 21 June, a solo interview by Fletcher was published by Fabulous magazine in time for Father's Day. Fletcher stated 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."[citation needed]

On a documentary with Fearne Cotton, Jones confirmed that McFly have three unreleased albums.[75] The band were on a hiatus but Jones hinted at a future reunion, stating "It's really nice to have a bit of breathing space after 12½ years with McFly. We've never really had this time off, so we'll give it a few months and see how we feel. When we're all refreshed, we'll go and smash an album."[76]

2016: Return as McFly and The Anthology

[edit]

On 25 April 2016, the band announced that they would be going back on tour in June 2016, where they would be playing all five albums and including some original new songs for a potential new album over three dates in each of four chosen cities: Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London, with the tour called "The Anthology".[77] Talking to 1883 Magazine, Fletcher said: "After doing two massive Arena tours with McBusted, we really wanted to do something different for this tour to herald the return of McFly. So we're playing some iconic rock venues that will allow our fans to experience the songs in a much more up close and personal environment."[78] They also revealed that they'll be making new music after the tour, with Judd stating, "We all agreed to go on tour first and then that will be the catalyst of what's to come." On 25 May 2016, it was announced the band would have to postpone the Anthology Tour due to Judd herniating a disc in his neck.[79] McFly eventually toured in September 2016.[79][80]

2016–2019: Indefinite hiatus

[edit]

After the tour, the band revealed that they had scrapped two albums worth of songs recorded since Above the Noise. Fletcher said: "After a certain amount of time, you feel like that was where you were at, at a moment[...] If we released stuff we recorded three years ago, we wouldn't be 100 per cent behind it any more. We still love the songs but we'd be excited about doing new things."[81] The following day, they announced that they would finally begin recording new material in January 2017.[82] In December 2016, Judd revealed that the McBusted-recorded song 'Getting It Out' would have appeared on the band's scrapped album. McFly's return was still in doubt, with Fletcher working on a feature-length film and regularly writing new books. Jones was said to be launching solo music and has had a new born son. In early 2018, it was announced Poynter was to go on tour with the band A. Those tour dates are now completed and it is unknown whether Poynter will play with them again. Judd was promoting his new book 'Get Fit, Get Happy' as well as raising his new son Kit. A writing trip was last taken in January 2017 for their sixth album, otherwise no obvious progression was made towards album six.[83]

On 14 March 2018, the band confirmed via their Twitter account that they were focusing on solo projects in 2018, but looking forward to making more music in the future.[84] The members still supported each other on their individual projects such as Tom, Jones and Judd collaborating in March 2018.[85] All members have stated that new music will eventually be released when the time and music is right.

Poynter started a band called Ink.[86]

Fletcher has several books out, including the Christmasaurus which has been adapted to the stage and Fletcher was working on the film version.[87]

Judd went on tour with a production called Rip It Up, a musical.[88] Jones released his own website with his own music released in July 2018 titled Is This Still Love.[89]

In July 2018, McFly played Matt's anniversary celebrations, the first time performing as a band in almost 2 years.[90]

2019–2024: The Lost Songs, Young Dumb Thrills and Power to Play

[edit]

On 28 December 2018, Poynter confirmed via a podcast on Sappenin' Podcast with Sean Smith that McFly would be returning from their hiatus with a new album during the year and they would also be doing a new tour during the summer.[15][91][92]

Following this, on 9 September, the band's Instagram page posted a video of their microphone logo, accompanied by the sound of guitar feedback as the picture comes into focus.[93] This was the first post made by the page since 2017. All members of the band then proceeded to post the same thing on their personal social media profiles, announcing an 'Instagram Live' at 9:30am on the following day (10 September).[94] The announcement involved the band's first album of new material in 9 years, The Lost Songs, as well as their first ever solo show at the O2 Arena (they performed there at the 2010 Jingle Bell Ball). Following the selling-out of the O2 Show the band announced a further eleven tour dates forming an official comeback arena tour in 2020.[17] However, the band rescheduled the tour three times (now called the Young Dumb Thrills Tour due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; they eventually undertook the tour in September 2021.

On 2 July 2020, the band announced they had signed a new record deal with BMG Rights Management and confirmed they will be releasing their first album of new material later in the year.[95] On 27 July 2020, the band announced their sixth studio album, Young Dumb Thrills. Pre-orders began 30 July 2020, with the lead single Happiness releasing on the same day.

The instant gratification single from the new album was "Growing Up" featuring Mark Hoppus, released on 4 September 2020 as the second single. It failed to chart on the UK Singles Top 100 but debuted and peaked at number 80 on the Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 on 11 September 2020.[96] The third single was "Tonight Is The Night", released on 1 October 2020. On 24 September 2021, they released the single "Dragonball", with lyrics making references to the Japanese manga/anime of the same title. "Dragonball" did not enter the Official UK Top 100 Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 57 on the Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100.[97]

On 2 December 2021, they released their cover version of "Walking in the Air".[98] The single did not enter the Official UK Top 100 Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 25 on the Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100.[99]

On 29 March 2023 the group announced that their seventh studio album, Power to Play, would be released on 9 June 2023. The lead single from the album, "Where Did All The Guitars Go?", was released on 31 March 2023.[100] On 26 April 2023, McFly released the single "God Of Rock & Roll"[101] and announced their Power to Play UK and Ireland tour, scheduled for October–November 2023.[102][103] Power to Play released on 9 June 2023.[104] On 21 July 2023, the band released the single "Broken By You", a bilingual song (English/Portuguese) featuring Brazilian band Fresno.[105][106] McFly brought the Power To Play tour to Brazil for 3 nights in May 2024.

2025: Busted vs McFly Tour

[edit]

On 9 October 2024, during McFly's concert at the O2 Arena, Busted and McFly announced the Busted vs McFly Tour for 2025. This marks the first time all seven members of each band have performed together since Busted invited McFly to tour with them in 2003.[107]

Super Records

[edit]
Main article: Super Records

Super Records Ltd. is an independent label operated and owned by McFly. Initially, McFly were signed to major record outlet Universal Island Records. Although they have left Universal, McFly's singles are distributed by a company named "Absolute" who also distribute for acts like Cascada and Jay Sean and are part of the Universal Group.[108] Super Records was created after McFly decided to leave Island, Universal Records at the end of 2007. They returned to Island, Universal for their fifth album, Above the Noise (2010).

Television and film appearances

[edit]

Throughout the early years, McFly were regular guests on CBBC and CD:UK.[109][110]

In January 2005, the band guest-starred in an episode of the long-running British drama series Casualty.[111] In May 2006, they starred in the American romantic comedy film Just My Luck with Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine, which was released in the US on 12 May 2006 and in the UK on 30 June 2006.[32] They play themselves in the film and the soundtrack features a variety of their songs from their first two albums.[33] The band also recorded another song, "Just My Luck", which was to be included on the US-only album release of the same name. McFly held a concert at the London Hammersmith Apollo on 19 May 2005 which was used in the film.[112] The UK premiere of the film took place on 28 June 2006 in London.[113] The film generally did not receive good reviews, gaining a 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[114]

On 16 March 2007, McFly guest starred in the Top Gear comic relief show Top Gear of the Pops, where they were given a challenge to come up with a song from scratch without using the words 'love', 'baby', or 'heart', and including the words 'sofa', 'administration', and 'Hyundai'. Near the end of the show they performed the song they named 'The Top Gear Blues'. It was later renamed 'Sofa, Hyundai, Administration' and placed as a B-side on "The Heart Never Lies" single. On 23 June 2007, McFly made a cameo appearance in an episode of the science fiction series Doctor Who. The episode "The Sound of Drums", saw the band appearing in a spoof party political broadcast, which featured testimonials from British celebrities such as McFly and Sharon Osbourne showing their support and trying to encourage others to "Vote Saxon!" in support of Mr Saxon (The Master played by John Simm) to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.[115]

On 22 October 2007, McFly hosted the first annual Nickelodeon UK Kids Choice Awards.[116] McFly also appeared on the show Ghosthunting with... in 2007.[117]

On 27 May 2008, McFly appeared on Gordon Ramsay's The F Word as the celebrity guests and cooked a three course meal for 50 customers. Their score was that 115 out of 150 dishes were paid for. On 20 July 2008, McFly also played at T4 on the Beach in Weston-super-Mare.[118]

McFly's performance at KOKO on 24 July 2008, as part of the iTunes Live Festival '08, was broadcast at Vue cinemas across the UK on the same day.

On 25 August 2008, McFly performed at the London 2012 Olympic Visa Party.[119] On 14 December, they were the headline music act for Miss World in South Africa, which had a predicted worldwide audience of over 2 billion viewers. Their hits "5 Colours in Her Hair" and "Lies" were played during the show. They appeared in teen soap Hollyoaks on Channel 4 on Friday, 8 May 2009 performing in the SU Bar with The Somethings as a support group. On 31 May 2009, McFly performed at the biggest TV show in Brazil Domingão do Faustão which had a predicted audience of over 30 million viewers. In June and July 2009, they did a Woodland tour, performing at forest venues around the UK. In October 2008 McFly performed on the 50th birthday episode of Blue Peter, live outside BBC Television Centre.

McFly made a cameo appearance in Derren Brown's Enigma tour in 2009–2010. A recording of the live stage show first aired on Channel 4 on 6 January 2011. McFly made a return to T4 on the Beach in July 2011.

Fletcher took on The Cube in a celebrity special in the 3rd season and walked away with £100,000. Judd appeared on and won a Children in Need special episode of Strictly Come Dancing, with his partner Ola Jordan. The following year Judd won the 9th series of Strictly Come Dancing with his dance partner Aliona Vilani.[120] Poynter won the 11th series of the UK TV series I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. Poynter and Judd appeared on the "Hunks Special" of Celebrity Juice on 1 March 2012. Jones also participated in 2010's Popstar to Operastar, placing 5th.

The band had their own McFly on the Wall documentary series in 2011. It followed the band as they embarked on their latest UK tour. It ran for 6 episodes. The first episode aired on Five Star on 11 May, and the last episode aired on 15 June. In 2012 McFly appeared on the celebrity edition of Deal or No Deal in which they won £10,000 for their chosen charities.

On 8 December 2012, McFly appeared as themselves on ITV in a one-off special called The McFly Show. It featured special guests, comedy sketches and the band performing their hit songs.

On 23 March 2013, McFly performed a one-off concert as part of an event organised by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) for Earth Hour 2013 which was broadcast live via YouTube.[121]

On 21 September 2013, McFly were the guest band on the BBC One show When Miranda Met Bruce with Miranda Hart and Bruce Forsyth.

Since 2017, Jones has appeared as a coach on The Voice Kids UK. This is aired on ITV.

In 2021, Fletcher took part in the 19th season of the UK TV series Strictly Come Dancing. He and his partner, Amy Dowden, were eliminated 8th.

In 2023, Judd announced he would compete in Celebrity Race Across the World, with his mother, Emma.[122] The mother/son duo came 2nd place in the race overall.

In 2024, Jones won Series 5 of The Masked Singer UK as "Piranha" covering hits including "It's All Coming Back to Me now", which peaked at number two on the UK singles chart.[123]

In 2024, Jones and Fletcher appeared and won as coaches on The Voice UK with their finalist AVA. They were the first double chair for the UK series. This is aired on ITV.

In 2024, Jones won the twenty-fourth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here.

Influence

[edit]

McFly have been cited as having influenced a number of high-profile musicians in various different ways. Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson of One Direction, have credited McFly as the opening act of the first concert they had ever attended.[124] Speaking about meeting with the group, Jones said "it turned out that Niall and Louis were at one of our first ever shows. And they were all like, 'we copied your haircuts, and you made us want to play guitar', which is really amazing to hear. They're the biggest band in the world right now. And their favourite band was us! We influenced them. It's really strange, because you feel like a veteran!".[125] Reviews for One Direction's debut album, Up All Night, had credited McFly as a notable influence,[126][127][128] and Horan stated the group were very happy to have such a comparison noted.[129] McFly had contributed song-writing to the first three studio albums that the group released.

Also citing McFly as influences are British pop rock band The Vamps, who supported McFly on their 2013 Memory Lane tour. Guitarist and vocalist James McVey stated "McFly is a band we love to be compared to over other bands, simply for the fact of their good musicianship. They write very well and they're very energetic on stage, which is something we try to replicate in our own performances."[130] Drummer Tristan Evans also spoke of the band, explaining "McFly were an influence on me wanting to get into music and we feel like the next generation of their take on pop," while bassist Connor Ball continued "They're chilled-out and we hope we can have that calm attitude if we ever get that successful."[131] Frontman Brad Simpson also referred to McFly when asked about influences, stating "Their debut album was a first in all of our collections".[132] 5 Seconds of Summer have themselves confirmed that McFly are an influence on their music on a number of occasions,[133][134] while they have also been compared to McFly in reviews.[135][136] When UK pop/R&B group Rixton were asked which bands they had looked up to when they were younger, Jake Roche said, "I listened to a lot of McFly when I was growing up. I was a part of that era."[137][better source needed]

Asked about influencing a new generation of bands, Jones stated, "There's a few bands, like the 1D boys, and they're all getting to that age where Busted or McFly was the first gig they ever went to. It's really nice to see that bands are taking influence from what you do." He continued, "to actually see people in bands picking up guitars and doing their thing – any musical influence that we can give them – is amazing to see."[138]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: McFly discography

Studio albums

Members

[edit]
  • Tom Fletcher – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, ukulele (2003–present)
  • Danny Jones – lead and backing vocals, lead guitar, harmonica (2003–present)
  • Dougie Poynter – bass guitar, backing and lead vocals (2003–present)
  • Harry Judd – drums, percussion (2003–present)

Touring members

  • Isaac Aryee  – keyboards (2006–2012)
  • Adam Marc  – keyboards (2022–present)

Tours

[edit]
  • McFly: The Tour (2004)
  • Wonderland (2005)
  • Motion in the Ocean (2006) (originally titled "2006 Tour")
  • Up Close and Personal (2007)
  • Greatest Hits (2007)
  • Radio:Active (2008)
  • Up Close ... and This Time It's Personal (2009)
  • Before the Noise (2010)
  • Above the Noise (2011)
  • Keep Calm & Play Louder (2012)
  • 10th Anniversary Concerts (2013)
  • Memory Lane (2013)
  • McBusted: Busted & McFly (2014) (as McBusted)
  • McBusted's Most Excellent Adventure Tour (2015) (as McBusted)
  • MCBUSTED (2015) (Australian tour as McBusted)
  • Anthology Tour (2016)
  • One Night Only (2019)
  • The 2020 Tour (2020) (Promoting The Lost Songs - cancelled due to Covid)
  • 2020 Brasil Tour (2020) (Promoting The Lost Songs - cancelled due to Covid)
  • Young Dumb Thrills Tour (2021) (rescheduled/rebranded 2020 cancelled tour)
  • One Night Only... Again (2021)
  • 2022 Brasil Tour (2022)(rescheduled/rebranded 2020 cancelled tour)
  • Power to Play Tour (2023)
  • Power to Play Brasil (2024)
  • 21st Birthday Parties (2024) (Originally titled "21st Birthday Party")
  • Busted Vs McFly Tour (2025)

Awards

[edit]

Number ones in the UK Singles Chart[139]

(1) Obviously (27 June 2004)
(2) 5 Colours In Her Hair (4 April 2004)
(3) All About You (13 March 2005)
(4) I'll Be OK (21 August 2005)
(5) Star Girl (29 October 2006)
(6) Don't Stop Me Now (23 July 2006)
(7) Baby's Coming Back (13 May 2007)

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

  • 4Music Video Honours – Best Video of 2010 for Party Girl

2011

  • Nordoff Robbins – American Express Digital Innovation Award
  • In Rock Magazine – Best British Band

2012

  • Nordoff Robbins Music Awards – Best Live Act

2013

  • The Verified Teen Awards – Best Live Act
  • The Verified Teen Awards – Best Band

2014

  • Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards UK – Favourite UK Band of the Decade (Honorary award)

Publications

[edit]
  • McFly – Unsaid Things...Our Story

References

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

McFly

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
McFly is a British pop rock band formed in London in 2003 by Tom Fletcher, consisting of Fletcher (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Danny Jones (lead vocals, guitar), Dougie Poynter (bass, vocals), and Harry Judd (drums).[1][2] The band rose to prominence in the mid-2000s with their debut single "5 Colours in Her Hair," which topped the UK Singles Chart, followed by a string of hits that established them as one of the era's leading pop acts.[3][4] Their debut album, Room on the 3rd Floor (2004), reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, earning McFly a Guinness World Record as the youngest band to achieve a number-one debut album, surpassing The Beatles' previous mark.[4][2] Subsequent releases Wonderland (2005), which hit number one, and Motion in the Ocean (2006), which peaked at number six, contributing to seven UK number-one singles overall, including "Obviously" and "All About You."[1][5] The band expanded into acting with a cameo in the 2006 film Just My Luck and a self-titled US compilation album that year.[1][4] After further albums like Radio:ACTIVE (2008) and Above the Noise (2010), McFly entered an indefinite hiatus following their 2016 Anthology Tour but announced their reunion in 2019, releasing Young Dumb Thrills in 2020, which peaked at number two in the UK.[2] They formed the supergroup McBusted with members of rival band Busted in 2013, releasing a top-ten album, and continued their solo career with Power to Play in 2023.[4][1] To date, McFly has sold over 10 million records worldwide and remains active, with a 2025 tour alongside Busted and dates scheduled into 2026.[2][3][6]

History

2002–2004: Formation and Room on the 3rd Floor

McFly formed in London between 2002 and 2003, inspired by the success of the band Busted. Tom Fletcher, who had auditioned unsuccessfully for Busted, began writing songs in collaboration with Busted member James Bourne and later met Danny Jones during auditions for another boy band project called V. The pair quickly bonded over their shared musical interests, co-writing tracks such as "Obviously" and performing acoustic sets that impressed managers at Profile, the company also handling Busted. To complete the lineup, Fletcher and Jones held open auditions, recruiting drummer Harry Judd—who had attended the same school as Busted's Charlie Simpson—and bassist Dougie Poynter, the youngest member at age 15. The band drew their name from Marty McFly, the protagonist of the film Back to the Future, as revealed by Fletcher himself.[7][8][9] In the summer of 2003, McFly signed a £500,000 deal with Island Records, a Universal Music Group label, marking their entry into the professional music industry under the same management as Busted. Their debut single, "Five Colours in Her Hair," was released on 29 March 2004 and debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, holding the top spot for two weeks and charting for a total of 19 weeks. This success was followed by "Obviously," released on 28 June 2004, which also reached number one and spent 13 weeks on the chart. The third single, "That Girl," issued on 6 September 2004, peaked at number three and charted for 16 weeks overall. These releases established McFly as a rising force in British pop, with their energetic, self-penned songs appealing to a young audience.[8][10][11][12] The band's debut album, Room on the 3rd Floor, was released on 5 July 2004 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number one, spending 54 weeks in the top 100 and selling over 61,000 copies in its first week alone. Certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for exceeding 600,000 units, the album showcased McFly's pop-rock style, blending influences from 1960s acts like the Beatles and Beach Boys with contemporary hooks and handclaps. Critics praised its catchy, self-written tracks as a fresh take on boy-band tropes, though some noted its reliance on familiar riffs and comparisons to Busted raised questions about originality; the BBC described it as "surfing on a wave of borrowed riffs," while The Observer called it a "delicious blend of fantasy and reality." Early promotion included television appearances on shows like CD:UK and supporting Busted on their arena tour, which helped solidify their fanbase among teenagers. The album's success earned McFly a Guinness World Record as the youngest band to debut at number one on the UK Albums Chart, surpassing the Beatles' previous mark.[13][14][7][15][16][8][17]

2004–2007: Wonderland and Motion in the Ocean

Following the success of their debut album, McFly released their second studio album, Wonderland, on 29 August 2005. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, marking the band's second consecutive chart-topper and certifying platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales exceeding 300,000 copies in the UK.[18][19] This release showcased a continued evolution in their pop sound, incorporating more layered harmonies and romantic ballads while maintaining their energetic teen appeal. The lead single from Wonderland, the double A-side "All About You/You've Got a Friend", was issued on 7 March 2005 in support of Comic Relief and debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, selling over 536,000 copies and earning platinum certification from the BPI.[20] "All About You" was penned by guitarist Tom Fletcher as a tribute to his then-girlfriend Giovanna Fletcher (now his wife), blending heartfelt lyrics with orchestral elements for a polished pop ballad.[21] The B-side, a cover of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend", complemented the track's emotional tone and contributed to its widespread radio play. The second single, "I'll Be OK", released on 15 August 2005, also topped the UK Singles Chart, further solidifying McFly's streak of consecutive number-one hits.[22] In 2006, McFly issued their third album, Motion in the Ocean, on 6 November, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number six and achieved platinum status from the BPI with over 300,000 units sold domestically.[23][24] The album adopted a nautical theme, reflected in its title and artwork, while shifting toward a more mature pop-rock style with increased guitar-driven tracks and punk influences, signaling the band's growing musical confidence.[25] Key singles included the double A-side "Don't Stop Me Now/Please, Please", released on 19 June 2006, which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart as the band's fifth chart-topper.[26] "Please, Please" featured co-writing by Dougie Poynter and a playful, upbeat vibe, while the Queen cover "Don't Stop Me Now" added a high-energy rock edge. Subsequent singles from Motion in the Ocean included "Star Girl", released on 23 October 2006, which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart and became a fan favorite for its cosmic lyrics and anthemic chorus.[27] The album's third single, the double A-side "Sorry's Not Good Enough/Friday Night", issued on 18 December 2006, peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, with "Sorry's Not Good Enough" highlighting introspective themes of regret in a mid-tempo rock arrangement.[28] These releases helped Motion in the Ocean outperform expectations, with the album's pop-rock maturation drawing praise for balancing commercial hooks with edgier production. During this period, McFly expanded internationally, marking their US debut with contributions to the soundtrack of the 2006 film Just My Luck, starring Lindsay Lohan, which included tracks like "Five Colours in Her Hair" and "All About You".[29] The band also released localized versions of Wonderland and Motion in the Ocean in Japan, performing at Live 8 Tokyo in July 2005 to build an Asian fanbase.[30][31] These efforts amplified their global reach, with combined album sales surpassing 600,000 units across the UK and international markets by 2007.[32] McFly's fanbase, known as "McFlydians," grew exponentially, positioning the band as the UK's leading teen pop-rock act with sold-out arenas and intense media attention.[33] Their streak of six UK number-one singles by 2006, contributing to a total of seven, underscored their dominance, as they outpaced contemporaries in chart success and live draw, often mobbed by thousands of young fans at appearances.[5][34] This era cemented McFly's status as a cultural phenomenon, blending youthful charisma with evolving artistry.

2007–2009: Greatest Hits, Radio:Active, and label independence

In 2007, McFly released the double A-side single "Baby's Coming Back/Transylvania" on 7 May, which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, marking their seventh and final chart-topper to date.[35] Later that year, in November 2007, McFly released their first compilation album, All the Greatest Hits, on Island Records, which peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart.[36] The album collected the band's biggest singles from their previous three studio releases; the deluxe edition included four new songs: "Baby's Coming Back", "Transylvania", "The Heart Never Lies", and "The Way You Make Me Feel". The lead single "The Heart Never Lies" was released on 22 October 2007 and debuted at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.[37] This marked the end of their contract with Island Records, as the band sought greater creative control following years of major-label success. Following their departure from Island Records at the end of 2007, McFly established their own imprint, Super Records, in 2008, allowing them to self-finance and oversee their next project independently.[38] Their fourth studio album, Radio:Active, was self-produced by the band members and released on 22 September 2008 via Super Records, debuting at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart.[39] The album featured a more mature pop rock sound, with lyrics reflecting personal growth and relationships, as noted in contemporary reviews praising the band's evolution beyond their early teen-pop image.[40] The lead single from Radio:Active, "One for the Radio," was released on 21 July 2008 and peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, serving as a bold opener that critiqued the music industry.[41] Subsequent singles included "Lies," which reached number 4 in September 2008, and the double A-side "Do Ya/Stay with Me" in November 2008, peaking at number 18; the latter was a charity release for Children in Need.[42][43] These tracks highlighted the band's experimentation with punchier production and layered instrumentation while maintaining their signature hooks. To promote Radio:Active, McFly launched their sixth arena tour in November 2008, performing across the UK and culminating in a headline show at Wembley Arena on 27 March 2009, captured for the live DVD Radio:Active Live at Wembley.[44] The period marked a transitional phase for the band, as independence brought both artistic freedom and logistical challenges in distribution and promotion, yet it solidified their maturation as songwriters and performers.[45]

2010–2012: Above the Noise and Memory Lane

In 2010, McFly released their fifth studio album, Above the Noise, on 15 November through Island Records in partnership with the band's own imprint Super Records.[46] The album marked a shift toward synth-pop and electronic influences, blending pop rock with dance elements as the band experimented with new sounds under producers Dallas Austin and Jason Perry.[47] Austin handled keyboards and production on key tracks like "End of the World" and "Party Girl," while Perry contributed additional vocals, drums, guitars, and production across several songs, aiming to refresh the band's formula amid evolving pop trends.[47] The lead single, "Party Girl," was released on 6 September 2010 and peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, introducing upbeat, party-oriented themes that reflected the album's energetic vibe.[48] Follow-up "Shine a Light," featuring Taio Cruz and produced with his involvement, arrived on 8 November 2010, emphasizing collaborative pop hooks.[49] The third single, "Nowhere Left to Run," issued in March 2011, tied into a promotional short film of the same name—a 35-minute vampire thriller starring the band members, directed to soundtrack the album and highlight themes of survival and band loyalty.[50] The film, shot over three days, portrayed the group auditioning a new drummer after a supernatural twist, underscoring perseverance in their career narrative.[50] Above the Noise debuted at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart, selling 17,662 copies in its first week, a decline from prior releases that signaled a commercial slowdown.[51] Despite the experimentation, the band later reflected on the album as a low point, with drummer Harry Judd noting it "threw things a bit for us" due to dissatisfaction with the final sound after heavy studio tinkering in Atlanta.[52] By 2012, amid this downturn, McFly issued Memory Lane: The Best of McFly, a retrospective compilation on 26 November via Island Records, peaking at number 21 on the UK Albums Chart.[53] The collection curated 18 hits spanning their career, including "5 Colours in Her Hair" and "All About You," to celebrate their decade-long journey while addressing label pressures under Super Records' distribution deal with Universal.[54] It featured three new recordings: a re-recorded version of "Love Is Easy" (originally from their 2007 greatest hits), led by bassist Dougie Poynter on vocals; the B-sides "Do Watcha" and "Cherry Cola". Released as a single, the updated "Love Is Easy" evoked nostalgic introspection, aligning with the album's theme of career reflection at a midpoint marked by sales challenges and creative reevaluation.[55][56] The period highlighted tensions with Super Records, as the band grappled with commercial expectations that led to self-described artistic missteps, prompting vows to reclaim their original pop rock identity in future work.[57]

2013–2015: McBusted supergroup and solo pursuits

In 2013, McFly announced a supergroup collaboration with Busted members Matt Willis and James Bourne, forming McBusted without Busted's former member Charlie Simpson.[58][59] The project originated from a one-off performance at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2013, evolving into a full band that blended the two groups' pop-punk styles.[60] McBusted's debut single, "Air Guitar," was released in November 2014 and peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.[61] Their self-titled album followed in December 2014, reaching number 9 on the UK Albums Chart.[62] The record featured contributions from all members, including songwriting by McFly's Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.[62] The supergroup embarked on the McBusted Tour in April 2014, performing 36 shows across the UK and Ireland, followed by the Most Excellent Adventure Tour in early 2015, which included arena dates and festival appearances.[63][64] McBusted concluded activities in late 2015 after Willis and Bourne prioritized Busted's reformation with Simpson, citing scheduling commitments as the reason for the split.[65][66] During this period, McFly shelved plans for a sixth studio album, which had been in development since 2012, to focus on McBusted instead.[67] Band members pursued individual endeavors amid the shift; Fletcher contributed significantly to McBusted's songwriting and released children's books like The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet in 2013 and The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past in 2014. Jones focused on songwriting for the supergroup and personal projects. Judd provided drumming support for select sessions with other artists, while Poynter explored fashion modeling and authored writings on personal experiences.[68] Internally, McFly members held discussions about the band's direction, reflecting on personal growth and evolving priorities such as family and creative outlets, which influenced their decision to pause group activities.[69]

2016–2019: Reunion, Anthology, and hiatus

In April 2016, McFly announced their reunion as the original four-piece lineup—Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter, and Harry Judd—separate from the McBusted supergroup, to mark a celebration of their career with a series of special events and the Anthology Tour. The tour, announced on 25 April, featured 12 intimate shows across London, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Manchester in September, with the band performing each of their five studio albums in full over three nights per city, a concept designed to revisit their evolution from debut to later works. Tickets sold out within minutes, reflecting strong fan demand after a three-year absence from touring as McFly.[70][71][72] The Anthology Tour proved a triumphant return, capturing the band's high-energy performances and fan connection, with a live album, Anthology Tour: The Hits Live, released in December 2016 to document the shows. However, shortly after the tour concluded, McFly declared an indefinite hiatus in late 2016, attributing the decision to accumulated burnout from over a decade of relentless touring, recording, and supergroup commitments, as well as emerging internal tensions like jealousy among members. The break also allowed focus on personal milestones, including marriages—such as Poynter's relationship developments—and the arrival of children for Fletcher and Jones, prioritizing family amid emotional exhaustion.[73][74][75][76] From 2017 to mid-2019, the band's activities remained minimal, limited to sporadic fan interactions via social media, occasional appearances at events, and behind-the-scenes work on archival material, with no new original music produced. Members pursued individual therapy to resolve lingering resentments, reflecting on McFly's legacy as pioneers of early 2000s British pop rock who achieved seven UK number-one singles and sold millions of records, while crediting their hiatus for reigniting appreciation for the group's enduring impact and fan loyalty.[77][78] In September 2019, McFly teased their return with announcements of a one-off O2 Arena concert in November and the forthcoming release of The Lost Songs, a collection of previously unreleased demos, B-sides, and rarities recorded during earlier sessions but shelved, serving as an archival "anthology" of their creative output. The project, released weekly starting that November, highlighted unfinished tracks from across their career and bridged the hiatus while signaling renewed creative energy without committing to full activity.[79][80]

2019–2025: Independent releases and Busted vs McFly Tour

Following the conclusion of their previous hiatus, McFly marked their return in 2019 by unveiling a series of unreleased demos titled The Lost Songs, which were originally recorded during 2013–2014 sessions intended for a scrapped sixth studio album. The project began with weekly single releases leading up to their O2 Arena performance in November 2019, culminating in a full compilation album issued on 2 July 2020 via Super Records. These archival tracks, spanning pop-rock anthems and introspective ballads, showcased the band's evolution during a period of label uncertainty and creative experimentation.[81][82] In November 2020, McFly released their sixth studio album, Young Dumb Thrills, through BMG Rights Management, signaling a shift toward independent distribution after parting ways with major labels. Self-recorded during the early COVID-19 lockdowns, the album blended nostalgic pop-punk with mature reflections on adulthood, featuring lead singles "Happiness" (July 2020) and "Growing Up" (September 2020). Critics and fans praised its energetic production and lyrical honesty, with the record debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart and revitalizing the band's connection with longtime supporters who had awaited new material for a decade. This era emphasized the group's hands-on approach, allowing greater artistic freedom without traditional industry constraints.[5][83][84] Building on this momentum, McFly delivered their seventh studio album, Power to Play, on 9 June 2023, also via BMG, leaning into a raw, guitar-driven rock sound that harked back to their early influences. Produced with Jason Perry and featuring guest contributions from Blink-182's Mark Hoppus, the album included singles "Where Did All the Guitars Go?" (April 2023) and "God of Rock & Roll" (May 2023), both of which celebrated the band's pop-rock roots while critiquing modern music trends. It achieved commercial success, entering the UK Albums Chart at number two and topping the Independent Albums Chart, underscoring renewed fan enthusiasm and the viability of their independent path.[85][86][5] In October 2024, McFly announced the Busted vs McFly Tour, a co-headlining arena trek across the UK and Ireland framed as a playful "battle of the bands" rivalry between the two noughties pop-rock acts, with dates commencing in September 2025 at Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE arena. The 14-show run quickly sold out in major venues, including London's O2 Arena, drawing crowds nostalgic for the era's hits and the bands' shared history from the McBusted supergroup. However, the tour faced challenges, including Busted guitarist James Bourne's sudden withdrawal on 15 September 2025 due to undisclosed health issues, just before the opener. Technical glitches further marred the Halloween show at The O2 on 31 October 2025, with sound delays and lighting failures disrupting sets, though both bands powered through to deliver high-energy performances that highlighted their enduring appeal and fostered a surge in fan engagement.[87][88][89][90] Following the tour's conclusion on 1 November 2025, Busted's Matt Willis stated on 14 November that the band may "never perform again" due to Bourne's ongoing illness.[91]

Members

Current lineup

The current lineup of McFly consists of its four original members, who have remained stable since the band's formation in 2003 with no changes to the roster.[92][6] Tom Fletcher (born 17 July 1985) serves as one of the lead vocalists, rhythm guitarist, and pianist, while also being a primary songwriter for the band.[93][94] He is married to author Giovanna Fletcher since 2012.[93] Danny Jones (born 12 March 1986) is a lead vocalist and guitarist, known for his production work on McFly's recordings.[95][96] He has been married to model Georgia Horsley since 2014.[95] Harry Judd (born 23 December 1985) plays drums for the band and authored the autobiography Yes Dude, I Have Been There: A Journey from Nowhere to Everywhere in 2015.[97][98] He is married to Izzy Johnston since 2012.[97] Dougie Poynter (born 30 November 1987) provides bass guitar and backing vocals, and has pursued modeling and co-founded the clothing line Zack Black.[99][100] He previously dated singer Ellie Goulding from 2013 to 2016. As of 2024, he is reportedly dating Yasmeen Scott.[99]

Roles and contributions

Tom Fletcher serves as McFly's primary songwriter, having penned numerous hits including the band's 2005 number-one single "All About You," originally written as a Valentine's Day gift for his then-girlfriend Giovanna Fletcher.[101] As a multi-instrumentalist, he handles lead vocals, rhythm guitar—often using a Gibson Les Paul for overdriven tones—and piano, while occasionally incorporating ukulele into recordings and live performances.[45] Fletcher has also contributed to the band's visual output by directing music videos, including conceptual work tied to their independent-era releases. Danny Jones shares lead vocal duties with Fletcher and takes primary vocals on key tracks like the 2004 single "That Girl," adding a distinctive falsetto edge to the band's pop-rock sound.[95] He plays lead guitar and has incorporated harmonica into songs such as "Not Alone" and live renditions of "Hypnotised," enhancing their energetic, anthemic quality.[95] Jones has expanded into production on McFly's later albums, contributing to the self-produced independent releases like Young Dumb Thrills (2020).[95] Harry Judd provides the band's drumming foundation, his solid and dynamic style driving the high-energy pace of McFly's live shows, as evidenced by his rapid development from a novice player to delivering powerful performances on tours like the Motion in the Ocean era.[102] Judd has earned composition credits on several tracks, including co-writing "Transylvania" from Motion in the Ocean (2006), where his input helped shape the album's playful, rock-infused instrumentals.[103] Dougie Poynter anchors the rhythm section with prominent bass lines and provides backing vocals that bolster the band's harmonious layers, often emphasizing groovy, melodic foundations in songs like "I Wanna Hold You."[104] His lyrical contributions frequently explore themes of youth, rebellion, and maturation, as seen in co-writes for tracks reflecting personal growth amid fame.[105] Poynter has also influenced McFly's visual style, drawing from his distinctive fashion sense—marked by tattoos and alternative aesthetics—to help define the band's edgy, youthful image in photoshoots and stage presence.[106] McFly's songwriting process has evolved into a highly collaborative effort, particularly since their 2019 return to independence, where Fletcher and Jones often initiate ideas before the full group refines them in group sessions, fostering creative equality without label constraints.[107] This approach, honed during brief solo pursuits in 2013–2015, has yielded more personal and unified material on albums like Power to Play (2023).[106]

Discography

Studio albums

McFly's debut studio album, Room on the 3rd Floor, was released on 5 July 2004 through Island Records and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, where it remained for a week and was later certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales exceeding 600,000 copies. Produced primarily by Hugh Padgham alongside contributions from Craig Hardy, Tim Speight, and Jay Reynolds, the album captured the band's early pop-rock sound influenced by 1960s surf and garage rock, with themes centered on teenage romance, unrequited love, and youthful angst, as evident in tracks exploring heartbreak and infatuation.[13][108][109] The band's second album, Wonderland, followed on 29 August 2005, also via Island Records, entering the UK Albums Chart at number one and achieving platinum status with over 300,000 units sold in the UK. Co-produced by Hugh Padgham and Steve Power, with additional input from Jason Perry and Graham Gouldman on select tracks, it expanded on their pop-rock foundation by incorporating baroque pop elements and orchestral arrangements, focusing on romantic idealism and emotional vulnerability in relationships.[5][110][111] Motion in the Ocean, McFly's third studio release, came out on 6 November 2006 through Island Records and peaked at number six on the UK Albums Chart, spending 14 weeks in the top 100. Produced by Julian Emery and Jason Perry, the album shifted toward a more adventurous pop-punk edge with nautical and exploratory motifs, reflecting themes of escapism, friendship, and lighthearted rebellion through upbeat, guitar-driven compositions.[23][112][25] In 2008, McFly launched their own Super Records label for their fourth album, Radio:Active, which was initially distributed as a promotional CD with The Mail on Sunday on 20 July before a full retail release on 21 September, reaching number eight on the UK Albums Chart with eight weeks in the top 100. Largely self-produced by band member Danny Jones alongside Jason Perry, the record experimented with electronic and alternative rock influences, addressing themes of media saturation, personal growth, and societal critique in a more mature, introspective manner.[39][45][113] The fifth album, Above the Noise, arrived on 15 November 2010 via Super Records and Island, debuting at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart and charting for seven weeks. Primarily produced by Dallas Austin, known for his work with artists like Michael Jackson and Pink, it marked a pivot to dance-pop and R&B-infused tracks, exploring themes of uncertainty in love, self-discovery, and nocturnal escapades with a polished, electronic production style.[51][114][115] After a decade-long gap in new material, McFly returned with Young Dumb Thrills on 13 November 2020 through BMG Rights Management, peaking at number two on the UK Albums Chart and topping the UK Independent Albums Chart. Co-produced by Danny Jones and Jason Perry, the album embraced an independent rock ethos with raw, nostalgic energy, delving into themes of aging, reflection on youth, and resilience amid personal challenges.[83][85][116] Their seventh studio album, Power to Play, was released on 9 June 2023 via BMG, entering the UK Albums Chart at number two, achieving number one on the Independent Albums Chart, and number three on the Scottish Albums Chart. Again co-produced by Danny Jones and Jason Perry, it featured a guitar-driven rock revival inspired by 1970s and 1980s influences like Van Halen, emphasizing themes of empowerment, fun, and unapologetic energy in a high-octane, celebratory framework.[117][85][118]

Compilation and live albums

McFly's first compilation album, All the Greatest Hits, was released on 5 November 2007 by Island Records.[119] The album collected their biggest hits from the previous four years, including "Five Colours in Her Hair," "Obviously," and "All About You," alongside three new recordings: "The Heart Never Lies," "Sacrificed," and "Little Joanna."[120] It debuted and peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry for sales exceeding 100,000 copies.[36] The release marked the end of their initial contract with Island and provided a retrospective of their breakthrough era. In 2012, following their independent label formation, McFly issued Memory Lane: The Best of McFly on 26 November through Super Records.[121] This second greatest hits collection featured re-recorded versions of earlier singles and B-sides, plus four new tracks: "Love Is Easy," "Shine a Light" (featuring Taio Cruz), "Party Girl," and "Falling in Love."[122] The album reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart, reflecting sustained fan interest during their transitional period.[53] It also included a deluxe edition with additional live recordings and remixes, emphasizing their evolution toward self-production. The band's first live album, Anthology Tour (The Hits Live), arrived on 2 December 2016 via Super Records, capturing performances from their sold-out Anthology Tour earlier that year.[123] Recorded across multiple UK venues, it showcased fan favorites like "Room on the 3rd Floor" and "I'll Be OK" in a high-energy format, highlighting their return after a hiatus.[124] The release peaked at number 74 on the UK Albums Chart and was bundled in a limited-edition box set with memorabilia.[125] The Lost Songs, released on 3 July 2020 by Super Records, compiled 13 previously unreleased demos and outtakes recorded between 2011 and 2013 for what would have been their sixth studio album.[82] Tracks such as "Red," "Touch the Rain," and "Lucky Ones" offered insight into their creative process during a challenging label transition, with raw production preserving the original sessions.[126] The album received positive reviews for its nostalgic value but did not enter the UK top 40. Celebrating their 21st anniversary, McFly released the live album 21 Live on 21 March 2025 through Super Records, recorded at The O2 Arena in London during their Busted vs. McFly Tour.[127] Spanning 30 tracks drawn from all seven studio albums, it included staples like "That Girl" and recent cuts from Power to Play, capturing the band's enduring stage presence.[128] The double-disc set peaked at number 71 on the UK Albums Chart, underscoring their lasting popularity.[129]

Singles

McFly's singles discography spans over two decades, marked by early commercial dominance in the UK charts during the mid-2000s, where they achieved seven number-one singles, followed by sporadic releases during hiatuses and reunions.[5] Their debut single, released amid the pop-punk revival, set the tone for a string of top-five hits tied to their initial albums, often featuring double A-sides that maximized chart impact. Many early singles earned BPI certifications for sales exceeding 400,000 units, reflecting their appeal to teenage audiences through upbeat, guitar-driven tracks. Later singles, particularly post-2019 under independent label Super Records, shifted toward digital downloads and streaming, with modest chart entries on specialist lists amid a more mature sound.[85] The band's early breakthrough came with "5 Colours in Her Hair" in March 2004, which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, spending two weeks at the top and earning platinum certification for over 600,000 sales.[10] This was followed by "Obviously" in June 2004, another number one that held the summit for one week and achieved gold status.[11] "That Girl," released later that year, peaked at number three, while the 2005 double A-side "All About You/You've Got a Friend" returned them to number one, with "All About You" later certified double platinum for 1.2 million units.[130] "I'll Be OK" also topped the chart in November 2005, securing their fourth number one in 20 months. In 2006, the double A-side "Don't Stop Me Now/Please, Please"—a cover of the Queen classic paired with an original—debuted at number one, marking their fifth chart-topper and tying into promotional tie-ins for their third album. "Star Girl" followed as a standalone number one in October 2006, praised for its anthemic chorus.[27] The 2007 double A-side "Baby's Coming Back/Transylvania" provided their seventh and final number one to date, though subsequent releases like "The Heart Never Lies" (number three) and 2008's "Lies" (number four) maintained top-five presence. "Lies" stood out for its introspective lyrics amid the band's Motion in the Ocean era.
Single TitleRelease YearUK Peak PositionCertification (BPI)Notes
5 Colours in Her Hair20041PlatinumDebut single; 2 weeks at No. 1[10]
Obviously20041Gold1 week at No. 1[11]
All About You/You've Got a Friend200512× Platinum (for "All About You")Double A-side; Valentine's Day release[130]
I'll Be OK20051GoldTied to Wonderland album promotion
Don't Stop Me Now/Please, Please20061GoldDouble A-side with Queen cover
Star Girl20061GoldStandalone hit from Wonderland[27]
Lies20084-Lead single from Radio:ACTIVE
Party Girl20106-From Above the Noise; featured Taio Cruz elements in remix
Post-2010 releases saw declining mainstream chart success as the band explored supergroup ventures and solo work, but they maintained activity through promotional singles and covers. In 2010, a cover of Miley Cyrus's "Party in the U.S.A." was released digitally, peaking at number 57 on the UK Singles Chart during their Above the Noise campaign.[131] B-sides from this era, such as "Get Over You" (paired with "Party Girl") and "I Need a Woman," highlighted experimental pop-rock influences unique to their Island Records phase.[5] Following their 2016 reunion, McFly's independent singles emphasized fan-driven releases. "Happiness," the lead from their 2020 album Young Dumb Thrills, did not enter the main UK Top 100 but peaked at number 19 on the Official Singles Sales Chart.[132] In 2023, under BMG, "Where Did All the Guitars Go?"—a nostalgic critique of modern pop—reached number 27 on the Sales Chart, followed by "God of Rock & Roll" (number 30 on Downloads) and "Honey I'm Home," which similarly charted modestly on specialist lists while promoting Power to Play.[133] These tracks featured collaborative elements, including "Broken By You" with Brazilian band Fresno, released as a bilingual promotional single. B-sides and bonus tracks from this period, like acoustic versions of earlier hits, were often exclusive to Japanese editions, supporting their enduring Asian fanbase. In 2025, they released the single "To The Curb" on 31 October.[4] By 2025, live singles such as "Shine a Light (Live at the O2)" continued to appear on download charts, underscoring their shift to performance-focused output.[134]

Tours and live performances

Headlining tours

McFly launched their career with the Room on the 3rd Floor Tour in 2004, a UK theatre run promoting their debut album, where they performed nightly shows emphasizing their early pop-rock hits like "Five Colours in Her Hair" and "Obviously."[135] The tour marked their initial foray into live performances, building fan engagement through direct interactions in intimate venues.[135] By 2005–2006, the band upgraded to arena-scale production with the Wonderland Live tour, supporting their second album and featuring multiple nights at major UK venues such as Nottingham Arena on September 27 and 28, 2005.[136] Setlists evolved to incorporate darker, more mature tracks from Wonderland, like "I'll Be OK," alongside debut-era staples, with energetic fan sing-alongs enhancing the high-energy atmosphere.[136] The Motion in the Ocean Tour (2006–2007) expanded internationally, including European legs and UK arena dates like Manchester Arena in October 2006, where the band mixed tracks from their first three albums, introducing upbeat selections such as "Please, Please" to sustain momentum.[137] This tour highlighted growing production scale, with sustained crowd energy from opening to encore, reflecting McFly's rising popularity.[137] In 2008–2009, the Radio:Active Tour supported their fourth album, comprising 15 UK arena dates including Wembley Arena on November 27, 2008, where a live DVD captured performances blending punk-infused new songs like "One for the Radio" with established hits.[138] Setlists shifted toward edgier material, incorporating fan-favorite covers and improvisations to maintain variety after a brief hiatus from touring.[138] McFly's 2011 Above the Noise Tour returned them to UK arenas after a two-year break, promoting their fifth album with shows at Wembley Arena on April 1, featuring evolved setlists that integrated electronic elements from tracks like "Party Girl" and collaborative hits such as "Shine a Light" with Taio Cruz.[139] The production emphasized dynamic lighting and band-led fan interactions, underscoring their matured stage presence.[139] Post-reunion, McFly headlined a comeback performance at London's O2 Arena on November 20, 2019, tied to weekly single releases building to a new EP, with setlists drawing from their catalog to re-engage longtime fans through nostalgic and fresh material.[140] The Power to Play Tour (2023–2024) promoted their independent seventh album, spanning UK venues from Bristol on October 23, 2023, to multiple nights in cities like Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Manchester, integrating festival appearances such as Newmarket Racecourse in August 2023.[141] Setlists prominently featured new tracks like "Where Did All the Guitars Go?" alongside classics, with pyrotechnics and direct audience call-and-response segments amplifying the celebratory vibe.[142][143]

Joint and festival appearances

McFly gained early prominence by serving as the support act for Busted's 2004 UK arena tour, including performances at Wembley Arena on December 18.[144] This collaboration helped launch McFly into the mainstream, with the bands sharing stages across multiple dates that year.[145] In 2014, McFly members Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter, and Harry Judd joined forces with Busted's Matt Willis and James Bourne to form the supergroup McBusted, embarking on a 25-date UK arena tour that April, featuring venues like Liverpool's Echo Arena and London's O2 Arena. The tour extended into 2015 with the 18-date "Most Excellent Adventure Tour," covering arenas such as Glasgow's SSE Hydro on March 12 and Manchester Arena on March 21, blending hits from both bands to enthusiastic crowds.[146] The bands reunited for the Busted vs McFly Tour in 2025, a rivalry-themed production running from September to November across UK and Ireland arenas, starting at Birmingham's BP Pulse Live on September 16 and including multiple nights at London's O2 Arena on September 20–21.[147] Many dates sold out rapidly, with low ticket availability reported by October.[148] The format featured alternating sets with competitive banter, though Busted's James Bourne withdrew due to health issues just before the opener, replaced by his brother Chris Bourne on guitar.[149] Technical glitches, including microphone and guitar malfunctions, affected the O2 shows, particularly the Halloween performance on October 31, yet the bands powered through to deliver high-energy sets.[90][150] McFly has maintained a presence at major festivals in the 2020s, including a headline slot at the TK Maxx Presents Southampton Summer Sessions on June 22, 2025, in Guildhall Square, alongside Twin Atlantic and Devon, drawing a sold-out crowd of around 3,000.[151] They also performed at Download Festival on June 13, 2025, delivering a set with tracks like "Star Girl" and a cover medley, Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum in June 2025, and Henley Festival on July 10, 2025, where they energized the floating stage with classics from their debut album.[152] Beyond tours, McFly has participated in notable one-off joint and charity events, such as their performance at Live 8 in Tokyo's Makuhari Messe on July 2, 2005, where they played "All About You" and other hits to support global poverty relief, and a similar set at the Edinburgh edition on July 6.[30] In 2024, they returned for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day on March 15, performing a medley of charity singles including their own 2005 Comic Relief track "All About You/You've Got a Friend."[153] Additionally, in April 2020, the band rerecorded "All About You" as a virtual charity single for NHS Charities Together amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[154]

Media appearances

Television

McFly first gained significant television exposure in the UK through performances on popular music programs in 2004. The band debuted on Top of the Pops on BBC One, performing their breakthrough single "5 Colours in Her Hair" during episodes in August and December of that year, marking their entry into mainstream broadcast media as the youngest band to achieve a number-one debut album.[155][156] They also appeared on ITV's CD:UK, a weekly music chart show hosted by Cat Deeley, where they performed tracks like "Obviously" and participated in interviews, including a joint episode on 31 July 2005 alongside Craig David.[157][158] Additionally, McFly made their US television debut on MTV's Total Request Live (TRL) in 2005, performing at the Leicester Square studios in London to promote their international reach.[159] In the mid-2000s, McFly ventured into hosting and panel appearances on television. Members of the band, particularly drummer Harry Judd, featured on BBC Two's Never Mind the Buzzcocks starting around 2007, with Judd participating in the panel during series 22, episode 4, showcasing the band's comedic side amid music quizzes and banter.[160] These spots highlighted their growing media presence beyond performances. Later in their career, McFly continued to appear on high-profile chat and variety shows. The band performed on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show during the 2011 Christmas special, where members Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter discussed their reality TV wins while promoting their music.[161] Drummer Harry Judd returned to television in 2015 as a contestant on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, partnering with Joanne Clifton to win the competition with an American Smooth to "Baby It's Cold Outside."[162] The full band also guested on ITV's Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway multiple times, including a magical performance segment in 2021 and a finale appearance in 2024 singing "All About You" with hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.[163][164] Entering the 2020s, McFly maintained visibility through promotional and reality TV spots. In 2023, Judd appeared on ITV's Loose Women to promote his participation in Celebrity Race Across the World on BBC One, discussing family dynamics and neurodiversity alongside his mother.[165] By 2025, the band featured in BBC coverage of major festivals, including performances at Download Festival in June—where they played to large crowds at Donington Park—and the Rock N Roll Circus in Norwich, with fans queuing from dawn for headline sets.[166][167] These appearances underscored McFly's enduring appeal in live broadcast contexts tied to their touring resurgence.

Film and other media

McFly made their film debut with a cameo appearance as themselves in the 2006 romantic comedy Just My Luck, directed by Donald Petrie and starring Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine.[168] In the film, the band portrays an up-and-coming British rock group managed by the protagonist's unlucky colleague, Jake Hardin (played by Pine), during a scene set in New York.[169] This role marked an early push into the American market for the band, aligning with their promotional activities from 2004 to 2007.[168] The band also contributed original songs to the Just My Luck soundtrack, including "Five Colours in Her Hair" from their debut album Room on the 3rd Floor (2004) and "I've Got You" and the title track "Just My Luck" from their second album Wonderland (2005).[29] These tracks helped promote McFly's music alongside the film's release, blending their pop-rock sound with the movie's lighthearted narrative.[169] Beyond cinema, McFly frequently appeared on BBC Radio 1, performing live sessions in the station's Live Lounge. Notable sessions included acoustic renditions of their singles like "Dynamite" in 2010 and covers such as Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" in 2005, showcasing their versatility in adapting tracks for radio audiences.[170] These performances, often hosted by presenters like Fearne Cotton or Zane Lowe, highlighted the band's growing presence in UK broadcast media during their peak years.[171] In advertising, McFly featured in a 2007 Walkers Crisps commercial supporting Comic Relief, where they appeared alongside Simon Cowell and Gary Lineker in a humorous skit promoting the charity's cause through the brand's "Do Us a Flavour" campaign.[172] The band also gained visibility in print media, gracing multiple covers of Top of the Pops magazine, a prominent UK music publication for teens. Issues from 2004 to 2005, such as the July 2004 edition and the 8–21 June 2005 issue, featured McFly prominently, often with accompanying posters and interviews to capitalize on their rising popularity.[173]

Business ventures

Super Records

Super Records is an independent record label founded by the members of McFly in 2008, shortly after the band parted ways with Island Records under the Universal Music Group.[38] The label was established to allow the band greater autonomy in their music production and release decisions, marking a shift toward self-management during the period of 2007–2009 when McFly sought to redefine their artistic direction.[174] Initially distributed through Universal Music Group via a partnership with label management firm Absolute, Super Records handled the release of the band's fourth studio album, Radio:ACTIVE, in 2008.[38] This album represented McFly's first project under the imprint, emphasizing the band's hands-on approach to recording and promotion. Subsequent releases under Super Records included the fifth studio album Above the Noise in 2010, which was co-managed through a joint arrangement with Island Records, and later compilations such as the live album Anthology Tour – The Hits Live in 2016.[175][176] The business model of Super Records centered on providing McFly with enhanced creative control, including self-production of albums to align closely with the band's vision without external compromises.[174] Operations involved a small staff supported by strategic partnerships, notably with Absolute Label Services for distribution, marketing, and administrative support, enabling the band to focus primarily on music while outsourcing logistical elements.[38][177] In 2020, McFly signed a recording deal with BMG Rights Management—their first major label deal in over a decade—resulting in albums such as Young Dumb Thrills (2020) and Power to Play (2023). Super Records has continued for select projects, including a partnership with Absolute Label Services for the 2025 live album 21 Live, distributed under the Super Records banner.[107][85] This collaboration maintains Super Records' role in overseeing certain releases while leveraging external infrastructure, as seen in the 2025 live album.[177][127]

Publications

McFly members have extended their creative output into publishing, producing autobiographies and fiction that draw on personal experiences and imaginative storytelling. The band's joint autobiography, Unsaid Things... Our Story, released in October 2012 by Bantam Press, chronicles their formation in 2003, rapid rise to fame, and behind-the-scenes challenges, including band dynamics and individual struggles. Co-authored by Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Harry Judd, and Dougie Poynter, the book debuted at number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list and provided fans with candid insights into their early careers and relationships. Drummer Harry Judd published his memoir Get Fit, Get Happy in October 2017 through Coronet Books, an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton, detailing his lifelong battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) alongside reflections on his role in McFly and personal growth. The book reached number one on the Sunday Times memoir bestseller list and has been credited with increasing public awareness of mental health issues among young men, tying into Judd's advocacy efforts. Lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Fletcher has established himself as a prolific children's author, with his debut novel The Christmasaurus (2016) launching a fantasy series published by Penguin Random House that explores themes of friendship and wonder through a boy's encounter with a dinosaur-loving Santa. The 2021 installment, The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List, co-authored in narrative style but primarily Fletcher's creation, continued the series' success, achieving strong sales and critical acclaim for its heartfelt, family-oriented stories inspired by Fletcher's own life as a parent. Bassist Dougie Poynter has co-authored the bestselling children's picture book series The Dinosaur That Pooped with Fletcher since 2012, under Puffin Books, featuring humorous adventures of a boy named Danny and his pet dinosaur whose "poops" lead to fantastical outcomes. The 2024 release, The Dinosaur that Pooped a Superhero, extends the series with a superhero-themed plot, maintaining its appeal through Poynter's passion for dinosaurs and lighthearted narratives; the collection has sold over 1.5 million copies globally, fostering intergenerational reading and tying into the authors' shared band camaraderie. These works reflect the members' solo pursuits beyond music, blending vulnerability in memoirs with playful fiction to connect with audiences on emotional and imaginative levels, while achieving substantial commercial impact through bestseller status and widespread readership.

Legacy

Cultural influence

McFly played a pivotal role in the 2000s UK pop revival, injecting fresh energy into the pop-rock genre with their guitar-driven anthems and relatable teenage angst. Their debut album Room on the 3rd Floor (2004) debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, earning them the Guinness World Record for the youngest band to achieve this feat at an average age of 18, eclipsing The Beatles' previous mark.[17] This breakthrough solidified their position as torchbearers for a new wave of British boy bands blending punk influences with catchy melodies. Their success inspired later acts like The Vamps, who frequently cited McFly as a primary influence, crediting their mentorship and even joining them as opening act on the 2013 Memory Lane Tour.[178] The band's enduring fanbase, affectionately known as the McFly Army, exemplifies fierce loyalty that has sustained their cultural relevance beyond their initial peak. Formed through early fan clubs and online communities, this dedicated following remained active during the group's indefinite hiatus starting in 2016, using social media platforms to share memories, petition for reunions, and rally support amid external criticisms. For instance, in 2025, fans mobilized on Twitter and Instagram to counter dismissive comments from other artists, highlighting the community's protective and nostalgic bond.[179] This engagement peaked with the band's 2019 return, where the McFly Army's viral campaigns amplified announcements and drove sold-out shows. McFly's songwriting often centered on themes of youthful exuberance, budding romance, and emotional vulnerability, capturing the highs and heartaches of adolescence in tracks like "Obviously" and "All About You." These narratives resonated widely, fostering a sense of inclusivity that extended to LGBTQ+ audiences, who reinterpreted the lyrics through queer lenses—such as envisioning "All About You" as a sapphic devotion anthem.[180] Songs like "Star Girl," with its cosmic yearning for an otherworldly love, further embodied this universal appeal, aligning with the band's broader allyship demonstrated through performances at LGBTQ+ venues like G-A-Y and features in outlets like Attitude magazine.[181] In media portrayals, McFly were frequently positioned as natural successors to Busted, sharing the same management team and a comparable pop-punk ethos that appealed to teen audiences in the early 2000s. This narrative framed them as the next evolution in British boy band dynamics, building on Busted's foundation while carving their own identity. The 2025 "Busted vs McFly" tour, pitting the bands in a playful rivalry, has reignited this nostalgia, drawing massive crowds eager to relive the era's anthems and camaraderie.[182]

Awards and achievements

McFly achieved significant recognition early in their career, particularly through fan-voted and industry awards in the mid-2000s. At the 2005 BRIT Awards, the band won the British Pop Act category, marking their first major industry accolade.[183] They received no further BRIT nominations in subsequent years, including 2006.[184] The band dominated the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party, a prominent fan-driven event. In 2004, McFly secured five awards, including Best UK Band, Star of the Year, and Best Video for "That Girl". They followed this with six wins in 2005, encompassing Best UK Band, Best Single for "All About You", and Best Album for Wonderland.[185] These victories highlighted their strong appeal among young audiences during the peak of their initial popularity. Key commercial milestones underscore McFly's impact on the UK music scene. The band amassed seven UK number-one singles between 2004 and 2007, a record for a British band in that period, including "Five Colours in Her Hair", "Obviously", and "Star Girl".[5] Their albums have been certified for over 2 million units sold in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry, reflecting sustained domestic success. Additionally, band member Harry Judd won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2015, partnering with Joanne Clifton to earn a perfect score for their American Smooth routine.[162] Following their 2016 hiatus, McFly's 2023 comeback, including the release of Power to Play and a UK tour, received fan acclaim but no formal awards; however, in 2024, frontman Danny Jones won I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, boosting the band's visibility.[186]

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  84. James Bourne forced to quit Busted Vs McFly tour 24 hours before ...
  85. Busted triumph over McFly after technical issues haunt Halloween gig
  86. McFly announced for Margate Summer Series 2025 with special ...
  87. Mcfly
  88. Tom Fletcher facts: McFly singer's age, wife, children, songs and ...
  89. Tom Fletcher - IMDb
  90. Danny Jones facts: McFly singer's age, wife, children and career ...
  91. Danny Jones - IMDb
  92. Harry Judd facts: McFly star's age, wife, children, family and career ...
  93. Harry Judd - IMDb
  94. Dougie Poynter facts: McFly star's age, girlfriend, family and career ...
  95. Dougie Poynter - IMDb
  96. The songwriting secrets behind McFly's All About You - Music Week
  97. Harry Judd of McFly Interview - Modern Drummer Magazine
  98. ‎Transylvania - Song by McFly - Apple Music
  99. Dougie Poynter Masterclass - Episode 05 I Wanna Hold You
  100. McFly: 'There was always more to us than a boyband'
  101. In Defence Of McFly, Pop's Greatest Rock Band - Clash Magazine
  102. McFly sign first record deal for 10 years - BBC News
  103. Room on the 3rd Floor - McFly | Album - AllMusic
  104. LISTEN & COLOUR: McFly – Room On The 3rd Floor - Music Moments
  105. https://www.discogs.com/release/4683279-McFly-Wonderland
  106. Pop: New Releases: McFly: Wonderland - The Times
  107. https://www.discogs.com/master/389379-McFly-Motion-In-The-Ocean
  108. McFly - Radio:ACTIVE Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius
  109. LISTEN & COLOUR: McFly – Above The Noise - Music Moments
  110. McFly - Above the Noise - TheAudioDB.com
  111. YOUNG DUMB THRILLS – MCFLY - Official Charts
  112. McFly - Young Dumb Thrills Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius
  113. POWER TO PLAY – MCFLY - Official Charts
  114. LISTEN & COLOUR: McFly – Power To Play - Music Moments
  115. https://www.discogs.com/release/11902070-McFly-All-The-Greatest-Hits
  116. Greatest Hits (Standard) - Compilation by McFly | Spotify
  117. https://www.discogs.com/release/8452306-McFly-Memory-Lane-The-Best-Of-McFly
  118. Memory Lane (The Best Of McFly) - Spotify
  119. https://www.discogs.com/release/10121041-McFly-Anthology-Tour
  120. Anthology Tour (The Hits Live) - Album by McFly | Spotify
  121. ANTHOLOGY TOUR - THE HITS LIVE – MCFLY | Official Charts
  122. https://www.discogs.com/release/16006872-McFly-The-Lost-Songs
  123. https://store.mcfly.com/products/21st-birthday-cd
  124. 21 Live - Album by McFly | Spotify
  125. 21 LIVE – MCFLY - Official Charts
  126. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/mcfly-all-about-you/
  127. McFly Top Songs - Greatest Hits and Chart Singles Discography
  128. HAPPINESS – MCFLY - Official Charts
  129. WHERE DID ALL THE GUITARS GO – MCFLY - Official Charts
  130. McFly - Spotify
  131. In the Hotseat: McFly - CBBC Newsround - Home - BBC News
  132. Entertainment - McFly @ Nottingham Arena 27/09/05 - BBC
  133. Manchester - Entertainment - McFly at the Arena - BBC
  134. McFly bassist Dougie Poynter 'is back on form' on tour - BBC News
  135. McFly are back and have a new album and show - BBC News
  136. McFly announce 2023 UK tour: dates, tickets and presale info
  137. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-65886011
  138. Gig Review : McFLY 'POWER TO PLAY' TOUR ROCK CITY ...
  139. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/mcfly?year=2004
  140. Busted apologise for worst McFly song 'on behalf' of band - Metro UK
  141. McBusted Announce UK & Ireland Arena Tour for Spring 2015
  142. Busted and McFly announce 2025 UK and Ireland tour dates
  143. Busted vs McFly 2025 UK and Ireland tour dates and how to get tickets
  144. Who is replacing James Bourne on the 'Busted Vs McFly' Tour? All ...
  145. Busted vs McFly is the show of their career | Music | Entertainment
  146. Southampton Summer Sessions: What you need to know - BBC
  147. McFly rock the river on night two of Henley Festival
  148. McFly Concert Setlist at Live 8 Tokyo on July 2, 2005 - Setlist.fm
  149. BBC Red Nose Day viewers spot issue with 'underrated' McFly's ...
  150. McFly rerecord their classic hit All About You in support of the NHS
  151. 06/08/2004 - Episode - Top of the Pops Archive
  152. McFly - The Television & Radio Database - Top of the Pops
  153. McFly on CD:UK with Cat Deeley (2004) - YouTube
  154. "CD:UK" Episode dated 31 July 2005 (TV Episode 2005) - Full cast ...
  155. McFly MTV's TRL - Total Request Live - show Stock Photo - Alamy
  156. "Never Mind the Buzzcocks" Episode #22.4 (TV Episode 2008) - IMDb
  157. The Graham Norton Show, Series 10, Christmas Special, McFly - BBC
  158. Harry Judd of McFly wins Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special
  159. A McMagical End of the Show Show with McFly! | Saturday Night ...
  160. Thank you Ant and Dec for having us on the Saturday Night ...
  161. Harry Judd & His Mum Emma On Their Race Across The World
  162. McFly, Vengaboys... has Download festival changed? - BBC
  163. McFly fans queue early in Norwich for Rock N Roll Circus - BBC
  164. McFly's forgotten cameo in teen comedy film with Hollywood stars
  165. McFly's forgotten cameo in US teen film unearthed
  166. Dynamite - Live From BBC 1's Radio Live Lounge - Spotify
  167. BBC Radio 1 - My Playlister, McFly
  168. Walkers Crisps Advert- McFly - YouTube
  169. Top Of The Pops magazine - McFly cover (July 2004)
  170. McFly 'to return to former record label' - Digital Spy
  171. Release group “Above the Noise” by McFly - MusicBrainz
  172. Anthology Tour - Album by McFly | Spotify
  173. McFly sign to Absolute Label Services for 21st anniversary release
  174. The Vamps reveal all: Gym sessions with McFly, rejecting the X ...
  175. Paloma Faith in unlikely spat with McFly after she brands them 'teen ...
  176. 14 Boy Band Songs That Would Be Better If They Were Sapphic
  177. McFly @ G-A-Y, July 22 - Digital Spy
  178. Busted vs McFly review – millennial 'rivals' let the pop-rock punches fly
  179. 09 / 02 / 2005 - Earls Court 2, London Hosted By ... - The BRIT Awards
  180. Entertainment | Brits rules create contentious list - BBC NEWS
  181. McFly scoop six awards, including best UK band - The Guardian
  182. How McFly became reality TV kings and built £14m empire AWAY ...
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