With Boyzone and Backstreet Boys recently announcing plans of reuniting for their 25th anniversary next year, After Hrs speaks to musicians as to who they would like to see perform once more
They were two of the most popular boybands in the 90s. Both Boyzone and Backstreet Boys almost instantaneously captivated the hearts and minds of young girls (and boys too) with their musical talents and charming good looks. They performed at sold out concerts and delivered chartbusting hits, only to give it all up some years later as they chose to pursue solo careers. While many hearts were broken, they aren’t the only musical group to disband. As Boyzone and Backstreet Boys decided to reunite for their quarter-century mark, we ask other hopeful fans which band they would like to see together again.
Nikhil Chinapa, music entrepreneur and co-creator of Supersonic music festival
If possible, I’d love it if the original Pink Floyd would reunite and do a world tour. I would fly anywhere in the world just to see them perform. It’s just their entire stage show, their usage of light and sound they produced was simply exceptional. Even though they’ve gone their own way now, I’d travel many a miles to hear them play.
Neha Bhasin, playback singer
I used to be a big fan of Boyzone predominantly because of their great music. They’re good looking, nice Irish boys and my favourite was Ronan Keating. So I’m happy to hear they are reuniting. I wish I could watch the whole of Pink Floyd together, though I watched Roger Waters, but I haven’t seen the whole original band together. I would also love to watch the original set up of Bon Jovi from the 1980s.
Neeti Mohan, playback singer
For me, it would be Spice Girls because I have some amazing childhood memories associated with their songs. I grew up jamming to their tracks with my sisters Shakti and Mukti.
Shefali Alvares, playback singer
I’d love to see Backstreet Boys get back together. I grew up with their posters lining my walls and loved their tracks. I also enjoyed Code Red and of course, the Spice Girls. They were huge in the ’90s and pretty much define the kind of music I grew up to. These bands were really fresh and interesting at that time and I’d love to see them together again.
Benny Dayal, singer
I would say REM.because their music was nostalgic and iconic in every way possible. Who wouldn’t want to see them reunite?
Sona Mohapatra, singer
Bands disband for a reason when they do and go their own ways. The individuals evolve artistically in their own zones as the years progress. The ‘regroupings’ in my opinion are mostly for commercial and marketing reasons, not for artistic ones. I would much rather enjoy the likes of George Michael’s solo journey in music after he split from Wham! than have prayed for them to get back together. Wham! was a moment in time, there is no need to recreate that moment. It’s gone. It’s done. Let’s move on and evolve. To me Beyoncé has moved on from Destiny’s Child, similarly to push her artistic boundaries and we are all better for it. Sorry, but I’m just not a nostalgia buff!
Antara Mitra, playback singer
Being a ’90s kid, I have listened to only two female bands during my school time — Spice Girls and Viva. These are the ones I wish get back together. It will be interesting to see Victoria Beckham and Mel B doing stage gigs after all these years. I think their last album came out in 2000. It will also be really nice if Anushka Manchanda, Neha Bhasin, Pratichee Mohapatra and Mahua Kamath come back together and do something again. They all have done great individually, too.
Shilpa Rao, playback singer
Although I know it is not possible, it would be a dream come true to see Led Zeppelin together. The Beatles would be another band me and my friends would love to see. They both changed the course of music for everybody and it doesn’t happen everyday. I still remember the first Beatles song I heard and the first Led Zeppelin CD I bought.
Harshdeep Kaur, playback singer
It would have to be Boyzone. I was a big fan and even met Ronan Keating when I was 16. He had just gone solo then. Their music was so fresh, and one could easily connect to the lyrics. It was as if they were singing what you were feeling. It also helped that they were good looking.
Sachin-Jigar, music composer
Backstreet Boys because the ’90s music was all about emotive music and they were one of the few bands to set the tone for the pop concept for the millennial generation. We had attended their first ever show in Bengaluru too and it was massive.
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