BOYZ HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Boyz home for Christmas
By PETER JACKSON
After conquering every corner of the globe Dublin pop superstars Boyzone will return home tomorrow for a concert of huge proportions.
Ronan, Keith, Mickey, Shane and Steven have topped every chart and performed at every big arena over the last year.
Now they're looking forward to two sold concerts at the King's Hall just days before they stage another two shows at Omagh's Leisure Centre.
"We are really excited about the shows," said Boyzone heartthrob Ronan Keating. "There's nothing like coming home for concerts, it's the best Christmas present we could have."
There have been no limits to Boyzone's success this year. Only last week they won the Record of the Year Award in which 2 million people from across the UK voted.
"We won it for No Matter What," recalls Ronan. "It was a song which we did from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind.
"It was really exciting because we all had. to sit their in front of the cameras while the votes came in.
"Each region in the UK voted for their favourite out of the ten on show and in the end we won it by a margin of about 100,000.
"Awards are taken seriously by us, especially the ones that come from the fans. That's why this one meant so much to us.
"Looking back over the last year it has been pretty big for us. We've been travelling and performing a lot, but we've also managed to get back to Ireland a few times.
"I think the thing that really stands out in the year for me is the big impact so many Irish bands have had on the music scene.
"We've seen the likes of the Corrs and B* Witched really hitting the big time - it's amazing.
"I think Irish music is on a real high at the minute, I don't think it's ever been in a stronger position."
Keating arguably has never been in a stronger position either. Due to become a father in March, he's also going to be hosting his own TV show and managing a new band.
"I'm glad to be a father, it's something which has really added something to my life. I'm really looking forward to the whole thing.
"I'm also managing a new Dublin pop group called Westside. They've already picked up the Smash Hits Award for best new band - we won that a few years ago and look where we are now."
While there have been ongoing rumours in the press that a Boyzone split is soon inevitable, Ronan says such stories are nonsense.
"There's nothing we can do about that - people seem to want to build a band up and then knock them down.
"All I can say is that we are more focused than ever and still enjoying the business as much as day one. We still have a lot to achieve.
"In the new year we are heading to America to try and launch ourselves there. We know that it's a hard market to crack but we think with a bit of hard work we can do it.
"We'll also be recording a new album and hopefully doing some more live concerts too -it should be another busy year.
"On top of that I'll be taking some time off for the baby. I just want to be totally focused on that for a while, it's a once in a lifetime thing."
If the last three years are anything to go by, Boyzone should have no trouble dominating the music scene throughout 1999.
"But we're not going to put ourselves under any pressure," insists Ronan. "I think this year showed more than any other that there is room in the business for so many bands.
"Just look at the number of bands who came out of Ireland and they all managed to do well.
"I'll just be happy if we can keep up our standards so far and bring a bit of entertainment to all our fans.
"The shows at the King's Hall will be the last big thing of the year so we are going to be really up for them."
By PETER JACKSON
After conquering every corner of the globe Dublin pop superstars Boyzone will return home tomorrow for a concert of huge proportions.
Ronan, Keith, Mickey, Shane and Steven have topped every chart and performed at every big arena over the last year.
Now they're looking forward to two sold concerts at the King's Hall just days before they stage another two shows at Omagh's Leisure Centre.
"We are really excited about the shows," said Boyzone heartthrob Ronan Keating. "There's nothing like coming home for concerts, it's the best Christmas present we could have."
There have been no limits to Boyzone's success this year. Only last week they won the Record of the Year Award in which 2 million people from across the UK voted.
"We won it for No Matter What," recalls Ronan. "It was a song which we did from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind.
"It was really exciting because we all had. to sit their in front of the cameras while the votes came in.
"Each region in the UK voted for their favourite out of the ten on show and in the end we won it by a margin of about 100,000.
"Awards are taken seriously by us, especially the ones that come from the fans. That's why this one meant so much to us.
"Looking back over the last year it has been pretty big for us. We've been travelling and performing a lot, but we've also managed to get back to Ireland a few times.
"I think the thing that really stands out in the year for me is the big impact so many Irish bands have had on the music scene.
"We've seen the likes of the Corrs and B* Witched really hitting the big time - it's amazing.
"I think Irish music is on a real high at the minute, I don't think it's ever been in a stronger position."
Keating arguably has never been in a stronger position either. Due to become a father in March, he's also going to be hosting his own TV show and managing a new band.
"I'm glad to be a father, it's something which has really added something to my life. I'm really looking forward to the whole thing.
"I'm also managing a new Dublin pop group called Westside. They've already picked up the Smash Hits Award for best new band - we won that a few years ago and look where we are now."
While there have been ongoing rumours in the press that a Boyzone split is soon inevitable, Ronan says such stories are nonsense.
"There's nothing we can do about that - people seem to want to build a band up and then knock them down.
"All I can say is that we are more focused than ever and still enjoying the business as much as day one. We still have a lot to achieve.
"In the new year we are heading to America to try and launch ourselves there. We know that it's a hard market to crack but we think with a bit of hard work we can do it.
"We'll also be recording a new album and hopefully doing some more live concerts too -it should be another busy year.
"On top of that I'll be taking some time off for the baby. I just want to be totally focused on that for a while, it's a once in a lifetime thing."
If the last three years are anything to go by, Boyzone should have no trouble dominating the music scene throughout 1999.
"But we're not going to put ourselves under any pressure," insists Ronan. "I think this year showed more than any other that there is room in the business for so many bands.
"Just look at the number of bands who came out of Ireland and they all managed to do well.
"I'll just be happy if we can keep up our standards so far and bring a bit of entertainment to all our fans.
"The shows at the King's Hall will be the last big thing of the year so we are going to be really up for them."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/163
Published Date: 26-Dec-98
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