If you’re looking for your next binge watch, then look no further, because Sky Documentaries’ Boyzone: No Matter What delivers on all fronts.
Entertaining, nostalgic, revelatory and emotional, the three-part series, available on Sky and Now, sees the four remaining members – Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham – plus their estranged manager Louis Walsh, being refreshingly candid about Boyzone's ‘90s heyday and the highs and lows of band life.
Put together by Louis in the early ‘90s as Ireland’s answer to Take That, the five boys from Dublin – including fan favourite Stephen Gately – travelled the world, made chart topping records, and became one of the biggest boybands on the planet.
In the series we see them reminisce about the good old days when they performed at sold out stadiums packed with adoring fans, appeared on the biggest shows on TV (hello Top of the Pops!), and racked up the Numbers Ones. But as is often the case, their extraordinary fame and success came at a cost to their mental health, wellbeing, and friendships with one another.
“I suppose the biggest pressure of fame is the relationship pressure between each other and what's going on at home – how well is the record doing, how well is the tour selling?” Shane explains. “It comes from different places and manifests in different ways. The Boyzone journey was a gruelling one. We didn't have social media lending its broad scale, we had to get on the plane and go to the countries and see the people. Sleep deprivation is real.”
While the boys will always have a strong bond because of the unique experiences they shared, ultimately tensions grew within the band – from keen songwriter and musician Mikey feeling sidelined by Louis to Shane blaming “ambitious” Ronan for splitting up the band. They were also devastated by the unexpected loss of their “brother” Stephen in 2009 when he died from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Reflecting upon their experiences, both good and bad, makes for fascinating viewing and is also cathartic for them. “It was lovely, a real trip down memory lane, remembering all the things we’ve done, like being flown to Italy to perform with Pavarotti. It was also like an extended counselling session,” Keith admits.
But will all four members put their differences aside and sit down together and break bread in the final episode? We couldn’t possibly comment, all we will say is, you won’t want to miss a single second of it.