Talk ’90s to me From Take That to Westlife – Inside the boy band boom!
Nov 10, 2025
Michael Cragg, music journalist and author of 'Reach for the Stars: 1996–2006,' dives into the vibrant world of 90s boy bands. He shares how Take That transformed the genre and the impact of Robbie Williams' departure. The conversation explores fan culture before social media and the obsessive marketing strategies of the era. Michael delves into the rise and fall of groups like Westlife and Five, highlighting the mental health struggles they faced. He also discusses the evolution of boy bands into the 2000s and the shift away from choreography in male acts.
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Songwriting Brought Credibility
- Take That stood out because they wrote songs and had songwriting credibility in a market of manufactured acts.
- That songwriting gave them an extra layer of authenticity that helped mainstream acceptance.
Marketing Over Coolness
- Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell targeted specific demographics and prioritized songs and timing over tastemaker approval.
- They optimized releases for commercial channels like TV and retail to maximize sales.
Fans Slept In A Bank To Follow Bands
- Michael Cragg recounts a fan, Holly, who slept in a bank vestibule in Germany to follow Boyzone.
- Fans used Smash Hits to find band addresses and sometimes met members' families at home.
