‘It’s begrudgery’ – Keith Duffy says Boyzlife ‘don’t do’ Irish gigs because people here are ‘negative’ – Independent.ie
‘It’s begrudgery’ – Keith Duffy says Boyzlife ‘don’t do’ Irish gigs because people here are ‘negative’ – Independent.ie
37 comments
From the article:
Keith Duffy has admitted that Boyzlife “don’t do” performances in Ireland because people here are “negative” and “begrudging.”
The Dublinery, who was previously member of Boyzone, joined forces with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden in 2016, and the pair have been performing as super-group Boyzlife ever since.
But Duffy said that the duo prefer not to speak to the press or do concerts in Ireland anymore because “people don’t listen and they insult” them.
“We don’t do anything here. That’s our choice,” the singer told the Irish Mirror.
“We just wanted a peaceful life, we love what we do. We’re very successful in the UK. They champion us over there and they bring out the best of us.
“You come over here and whether it be radio DJ’s or certain journalists, they write derogatory terms. They’re just negative.
“Boyzone was the same and when we came back together in 2008, I never worked here again. It was always the UK, Australia, Middle East, Europe.
“Brian and I are just back from Cape Town, we’re on our way to Indonesia now to Bali and then we’re off to Vietnam and Cambodia. Then we’re off to Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi but we do nothing in Dublin.”
“It really is just begrudging. People don’t listen and they insult… People assume it is going to be s***e because they don’t like us from the days of the 90s.”
The 47-year-old said that he doesn’t go out in Dublin much for the same reason, adding that he’s sick of people “slagging me off.”
“I rarely socialise in Dublin because when I go out, you don’t know if someone is going to buy you a pint or give you a dig,” he explained.
“My kids are all grown up now, my daughter is 22, Jay is 26 – they don’t want to be reading s**t about their old man in the paper. They don’t want to hear DJs slagging me off so it’s just easier for us.”
However, he insisted that he still loves his hometown, but said that he wishes people would be kinder to one another.
“My home will always be Ireland. Dublin – I love it. I’m very passionate about Irish people and Ireland and I think we have a fantastic hospitality about us but we’re horrible to our own, we’re horrible to ourselves.”
Maybe it’s cause yer past it Duffy
Good to know the name WestZone is still up for grabs
Wouldn’t be my cup of tea in a million years, but are they really saying that people here would shell out for a gig of theirs just to go and slag them off?! Something wrong with people like that.
It’s second hand embarrassment more like.
He’s probably right in fairness, who hasn’t slagged boyzone or westlife at least once.
It is what it is. Some like it others don’t,like all performances.
No need for slagging really.
I have to say, he’s not wrong. I’m < 25, but work in the UK with people usually 30+, and all the Brits are mad for those boy bands. Not keen on them myself bevause I dont really know their work (can’t even name 3 songs from each band) but the begrudgery from other Irish people here towards them is very real, especially compared to how the Brits react to them
I have to agree with him it’s a horrible trait that a lot of Irish have. If they see somebody do well for themselves they have to bring them down or slag them off to try belittle them so they don’t feel inferior.
That’s a pretty negative attitude to have Keith. Sounds like you are begrudging an entire nation for not liking your music.
Pair of geebags
I think their main fan base is England 🤔 that’s not saying much when we had Mrs browns boys down as best thing since sliced bread 😳
Didn’t they not have a gig in Derry booked recently?
Maybe we’d be positive if you had some better songs.
Also, who feels good lining ronan keating’s pockets?
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Now when Keith talks about not going out in Dublin coz hell get a slap, thats a problem. and Ive read article and hes right, Theres a toxicity in our culture.
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Im not saying hes wrong about irish people having that tendency but at the same time, people are alot more positive about Thin Lizzy, Hozier, The Coronas, Imelda May and now yeah honestly Niall Horan too, Dod gets a fair slaggin but it comes from a place of love XD
Like, they’re a fucking 90s Louis Walsh boyband.
Didn’t they try to hold a gig here a few years ago but no one bought tickets? I don’t think Keith is really being honest here.
No it’s they just suck not begrudgery
>But Duffy said that the duo prefer not to speak to the press or do concerts in Ireland anymore because “people don’t listen and they insult” them.
“We don’t do anything here. That’s our choice,” the singer told the Irish Mirror.
Says he in an interview with an Irish newspaper and journalist. ffs.
Original article rather than the recycled Independent “article”: [https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/keith-duffy-says-cant-go-26970681](https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/keith-duffy-says-cant-go-26970681)
And the key quote:
>“We did 82 shows sold out in the UK, we did two shows in Dublin, and they only sold 50 per cent and they were on sale for six months. We sold out in four hours in the UK. Why would you come back to that?
So basically he’s just complaining that Irish people don’t like their shite music. Sore grapes and bitterness there I think rather than begrudgery on the part of Irish journalists and music fans.
His episode of the Blindboy Podcast really shone a light on some of the unnecessary shit he gets from the Irish media and negative Irish people. He really is a decent fella. No need for half of the shit he gets. Highly recommend listening to his Blindboy interview.
Perhaps we are a bit negative, but it’s mainly because they’re shit
https://imgur.com/a/Mu5dj17
Wouldn’t it be great if begrudgers had the balls to stand face to face with us and fight. No slagging. No negativity. Man to man!
Imagine someone talented saying that about us, that would be weird.
Not sure why people would feel the need to give them abuse when they see them out and about. Just don’t go to their gigs if you don’t like their music and let people who enjoy it go. Fair play to them for making a go of it. Its not my thing but clearly some people do like their stuff.
It’s not begrudgery when they can’t even sell tickets like happened when they tried a few years ago. Essentially we’ve moved on from the boyband era but they obviously haven’t.
Keith Duffy is fucking sound, tbh.
Never even heard of Boyzlife until now! It’s such a non-article. Don’t wanna play here? Fine
Begrudgery is our national sport, but all the same associating with Brian McFadden isn’t going to do much to endear yourself to us.
Oh no! …..anyway
Did anyone see that photo of McFadden? He looks like his head has been inflated or something
I genuinely thought “Boyzlife” was a joke Blindboy was doing until the interview with Duffy
~~It’s begrudgery~~ It’s shit music
Could be that the days of androgenous boy bands pumping out boring fkin ballads are gone.
It makes sense for Duffy – since Boyzone don’t tour anymore, after their lead singers Gately and Keating passed and moved onto a solo career, respectively.
… but don’t Westlife still tour? very successfully at that? Wasn’t Mcfadden one of the frontmen of westlife (in that i can remember his name, at least).
Begrudgery? In Ireland? Nevaaahhh!!
Boyzlife, TIL
Duffy seems harmless, I’d say all the hate is because he has partnered up with McFadden.
You’d have to agree with him. You need some balls to perform or create something of your own in this country. You’ll get slated for even trying. And don’t dare try to be unique. This is not the case in a lot of other countries
No it’s because yee were the two biggest bellends in your respective bands and can’t do for shite