By Darragh Nolan | May 3, 2025
It’s been an emotional few weeks for fans of one of Ireland’s most beloved boy bands, Boyzone, following the release of the deeply personal Netflix documentary No Matter What. Chronicling the band’s meteoric rise, raw behind-the-scenes realities, and enduring impact on pop music, the documentary has struck a chord not just with fans—but with the band members themselves.
Appearing on The Late Late Show this weekend alongside longtime friend and Boyzlife partner Brian McFadden, Keith Duffy opened up about the powerful response the documentary has received.
“The public reaction has been phenomenal,” Duffy said. “But it’s difficult, because it’s our story—and it wasn’t always an easy one to tell.”
A Vulnerable Portrait of a Pop Phenomenon
No Matter What peels back the polished veneer of boyband stardom, revealing the struggles, sacrifices, and personal costs that came with the glittering fame. For Duffy, whose early years were defined more by drums than dance moves, the documentary offered a rare moment of reflection.
“I was never very academic,” he admitted. “I didn’t like school. I was in a marching band—I wanted to be a drummer in a rock band, not a pop star. But you take what life gives you.”
Boyzone became more than just a band—it became a brotherhood forged through relentless touring, public scrutiny, and private heartbreak. Duffy noted how the film’s raw emotional honesty helped fans understand what really went on behind the scenes.
“When you watch it back, there’s a part of you that wants to keep the illusion alive… but it’s also important for people to see the vulnerable parts. Because that’s the truth.”
He described the documentary as not just a tribute to their legacy, but a “time capsule” for future generations.
“It’s an amazing documentary, and it’s a great legacy for our children and grandchildren—to see what we achieved, and what we went through to get there.”
McFadden on the Therapy of Honesty
For Brian McFadden, who found fame with Westlife before teaming up with Duffy in Boyzlife, the documentary served as more than just a retrospective.
“Watching it was therapeutic,” he said. “You don’t always know what the other guys are going through mentally. Even after knowing the Boyzone lads for 25 years, there were stories in the doc that I hadn’t heard before.”
McFadden praised the decision to interview each member individually, allowing their unique perspectives to shine through.
“It gave each of them space to tell their own truth—not the band’s truth, but their own.”
Boyzlife: From Pints to a Pop Phenomenon
The pair also reflected on Boyzlife, the surprise project that’s now celebrating 10 years. Originally conceived over drinks in Whelan’s pub in Dublin, it began as a storytelling stage show rather than a band.
“Keith had written a one-man show about his life,” McFadden recalled. “I thought it was brilliant. That night, we decided to do it together—as a kind of live interview, telling our stories on stage. That was the real start of Boyzlife.”
But the project took on a life of its own, evolving from nostalgic storytelling to full-blown supergroup. Performing classic Boyzone and Westlife hits, Boyzlife soon began writing new music. Their debut album Strings Attached (2020) blended orchestral arrangements with pop anthems, followed by Old School in 2022.
“It was supposed to be a four-week deal,” McFadden laughed. “And now we’re here, 10 years later, still on the road.”
‘We Still Feel the Love’
Despite the years, both singers emphasized how grateful they remain for the journey—especially as they continue to perform for devoted fans across generations.
“We still feel the love,” Duffy said. “It’s a blessing.”
As No Matter What continues to garner praise and rekindle memories, it’s clear the story of Boyzone is more than just a chapter in pop music history—it’s a story of resilience, reinvention, and deep-rooted brotherhood.
And for Keith Duffy, that’s the legacy that matters most.
“It’s not just our past,” he said. “It’s part of who we are—and now it’s there forever.”
