Boyzone's Keith Duffy has recalled the small but ‘special’ part he believes Boyzone played in the peace process in Northern Ireland.
At the height of their fame in the 90s, across Ireland but this time, it wasn’t for their music, it was for helping to unite the people of Northern Ireland at a time when tensions were high.
He told Belfast Live: “Back in the early days before the days of the Odyssey in Belfast, we used to play the Kings Hall , back in ‘94 and ‘95 and we had a ceasefire, there was peace in Northern Ireland but at the same time there was always tension.
“I remember one concert and I think we had sold out the Kings Hall three or four nights in a row, possibly more and I remember the 9 o’clock news coming down and videoing the queues outside the Kings Hall of Catholics and Protestants and everyone together all queueing to go and see Boyzone and they did a piece on the news about it.
“It was very special for us to see that we are part of a peace process, we’re in the middle and we’re part of a peace process and people are coming together in harmony to see us perform regardless of whatever troubles are behind them.”
The Dubliner said it was a ‘special moment’ for the boyband and a proud one for their parents.
He added: "For an non-political pop group band, that was a special moment for us in Belfast. It was wonderful and our mams and dads were calling us saying ‘guys, you’ve made the news’, it was a beautiful, very positive piece about people coming together despite the Troubles and the upset to see an Irish band in the Kings Hall, which was kind of cool.”
Having already played a sell out night at SSE Arena earlier this year on the Thank You and Goodnight tour, fans of the boyband here will get one final chance to say farewell when they on August 10.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Keith said they haven't thought too much about how they'll feel when the curtain comes down on their Boyzone career.
"To be honest, the downside we haven’t really dwelled about or thought about too much, the day will come when we have to face it head on and the Belfast gig is going to be so special for that reason because I think it probably most likely will be, the very last concert Boyzone ever do and it’s in Belfast.
"I know there’s a lot of controversy as to why Belfast and not Dublin but the honest answer is there are no venues available to us and the promoters in Dublin loved what we did in February and feel that that’s the last one.
“We’re very excited that we have a show in Ireland, on the island of Ireland, to wrap up our career and it’s on 10th August.”
Limited tickets remain for Boyzone's Feile and Phobail gig on August 10 and can be purchased here priced at £20.
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