Boyzlife at Portsmouth Guildhall REVIEW: 'Everything you could expect... and more'

Boyzlife were born in 2016 when Boyzone’s Keith Duffy and Westlife’s Brian McFadden came together to create the supergroup based on the ’90s and ’00s boybands. Friday night was everything you could expect from such a pairing and more.

Katie Kittermaster opened the show. The funky and endearing young star, who is supporting the whole tour, sang covers and originals including Sunday Afternoon.

Fans were screaming at the top of their lungs as Brian and Keith strutted on stage to open the show with Westlife’s hit When You’re Looking Like That.

A packed, non-stop two hour show, with numerous costume changes, had everyone reliving their teenage dreams.

With Keith filming himself on an audience member’s phone and Brian going backstage to get a bottle of water for one fan, telling her to ‘calm herself down’, the duo’s energy was electric and their comedic interactions kept everyone singing and laughing.

Reminiscing about how Boyzone and Westlife changed their lives, the pair chatted about Boyzone’s Stephen Gately who died in 2009 and how Boyzlife’s new album Strings Attached, was dedicated to him.

During Boyzone’s cover of When The Going Gets Tough, a crazy Keith jumped in to party with the stalls and Brian surprised the circle seats.

It’s a brilliant night of entertainment, rounded off in ’90s hip-hop-like outfits and a medley of songs including hits from Backstreet Boys, One Direction and Billy Joel.

It is clear the chemistry between the pair is one of respect, friendship and ultimately having fun celebrating Boyzone’s and Westlife’s biggest hits.