19 of the biggest pop band comebacks
Who says a split or hiatus truly means the end?
With the news that Girls Aloud are reuniting for a 2024 tour, and earlier this year we had Busted, JLS, S Club 7 and B*Witched all reuniting we have some fantastic tours to look forward to!
Over the years many fans have been left upset when their favourite band decides to part ways permanently, or go on a hiatus, like Little Mix did after their 'Confetti' tour. However, reassured many bands do decide to reunite to celebrate their 15th, 20th, or even 25th anniversary.
Check out some of the biggest band comebacks:
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud, made up of Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle, were formed on ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and went on to become one of the UK's biggest girl groups, famous for songs 'The Promise', 'Sound Of The Underground' and 'Biology'.
After reigning supreme at the top of the charts for a number of years, the girls decided to take a hiatus in 2009 to pursue solo projects and promised that they would reunite in 2010 to release another album. Girls Aloud briefly interrupted the hiatus to do two shows supporting Coldplay along with Jay-Z at Wembley Stadium.
The studio album never happened, though, and it took three years for Girls Aloud to reunite for the group's 10th anniversary. In 2012, they released single 'Something New', a greatest hits album and a farewell tour called 'TEN'. After the tour, they announced that they had decided to split in a statement released on Twitter.
Although the girls had plans to reunite for their 20th anniversary, Sarah Harding was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away in 2021, with the girls admitting at the time they were in the right mindset.
In November 2023, Cheryl, Kimberley, Nicola and Nadine confirmed plans of a 2024, which will be 'celebration of Sarah'. The tour saw the band play dates in the UK and Ireland across May and June 2024.
Busted
In March 2023, Busted announced they would be reuniting to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Known for hits such as '3AM' and 'Crashed the Wedding', the band started in 2000, before having a hiatus between 2005 and 2015.
Busted reunited in 2015, before starting another hiatus in 2019, but as of 2023 they are back with an arena tour planned in September 2023.
Take That
Even though Take That's split in 1996 caused many heartbroken fans to take the day off school (a helpline was also created), they DELIGHTED us all in 2005 when they confirmed that they will be 'back for good' with comeback single 'Patience'.
Even though Robbie Williams has made a few appearances with the group since the comeback (he originally refused to come back after he left in 1995), Take That currently consists of Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Gary Barlow. Jason Orange also left the band for good in 2014.
Take That are still very much together and their comeback is considered to be one of the most successful of all time.
Boyzone
Irish boyband Boyzone made their way into our hearts when they were formed in 1993, but it was single 'Love Me For A Reason', released in 1994, that broke them into the British charts. The band was originally made up of Keith Duffy alongside Michael Graham, Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch and the late Stephen Gately – who sadly died in 2009 aged 33.
Boyzone split in 1999 to pursue solo projects. They did a brief tour in Ireland in early January 2000 before going their separate ways.
They reformed in 2007, announcing a tour for the following year. Boyzone toured again in 2009, their last as a five.
In 2018, Boyzone released album 'Thank You and Goodnight' with artists Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran writing for the band's final album which also marked their 25-year anniversary.
Despite the band saying they will be splitting for good following their 'Thank You and Goodnight' tour, lead singer Ronan Keating has admitted that the Boyzone book will never be fully closed and there's even talk of a Boyzone movie!
Jonas Brothers
Disney channel favourites the Jonas Brothers, made up of Joe, Nick and Kevin, enjoyed HUGE success when they burst on the pop/rock scene in 2005 but they also endured a lot of drama.
In 2013, brothers Nick Jonas and Kevin Jonas decided to take a hiatus from the group and cancelled 23 tour dates between October and December, citing a "deep rift within the band" over "creative differences."
Then in February 2019, the Jonas Brothers announced their comeback via social media and released single 'Sucker'.
Jonas Brothers have continued to release music since reforming and in 2023 they are set to perform a one-off gig in London for fans called One Night Only Jonas Brothers.
Spice Girls
Girl Power ruled the 90s, didn't it? The Spice Girls, made up of Mel B, Mel C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham, ruled the charts until 1998 when Geri decided to leave citing exhaustion and creative differences.
The group's final album, 'Forever' was released in 2000. The band have made three comebacks since, first in 2007 and 2012 with Victoria Beckham and again in 2019 without her.
To mark the 25th anniversary of debut single 'Wannabe', an EP was released in July 2021 that included previously unreleased demos. The Spice Girls then released 'Spice25', a deluxe reissue of Spice featuring previously unreleased demos and remixes.
Steps
Steps, made up of Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian 'H' Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee, delighted fans in 2020 when they announced their comeback - 23 years after their music debut.
The band exploded onto the pop music scene in 1997 with hits such as 'Tragedy' and '5,6,7,8'. They even supported Britney Spears on tour in the US in 1999.
However, the band shocked everyone on Boxing Day in 2001 when they announced that they had split.
They briefly reunited in 2011 and 2012 to perform a 12-date arena tour. They then promised fans that there was new music to come. It took a few years, but the band released their fifth studio album, Tears on the Dancefloor, on 21st April 2017.
The group are now back having released seven studio albums to date.
Westlife
Known for songs 'Swear It Again', 'If I Let You Go' and 'Flying Without Wings', Irish group Westlife, who were originally made up of Nicky Byrne, Brian McFadden, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan formed in 1998.
However, in 2004, Brian decided to leave the band to spend more time with his family and has no plans to rejoin the group despite being on 'good terms' with the boys.
Before their split in 2011, the group released 13 albums, embarked on 12 world tours, earned 28 platinum discs and sold more than 55 million records across the globe.
In October 2018, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan reunited on the band's 20th anniversary and released comeback album 'Spectrum' with the help of Ed Sheeran. They also announced a huge tour including two Belfast dates and a massive gig at Croke Park.
In November 2021, the boys released their album 'Wild Dreams' before going on tour in 2022.
ABBA
Swedish pop legends ABBA never actually split, but they 'parted ways' after winning Eurovision with 'Waterloo' in 1974 and quickly rising to global stardom.
In 2018, the band announced they were going to be releasing brand new music for the first time in 35 years. The band, made up of Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, announced the exciting news on Instagram.
In 2021, the new music was finally released and named a new project 'ABBA Voyage'. The band released an album called 'Voyage' on 5th November 2021, with tracks 'I Still Have Faith In You' and 'Don't Shut Me Down'.
Backstreet Boys
American boy band Backstreet Boys, made up of Nick Carter, A.J. McLean, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough, ruled the charts in the late 90s with hits such as 'I Want It That Way' and 'Everybody'.
In 2006, Kevin decided to leave the band to pursue other interests and although the band continued without him, it took until 2012 for Kevin to rejoin them.
The group enjoyed another stint at the top of the charts when they celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2013 and have since made surprise comebacks every few years to the delight of their fans.
In 2023, the boys are on their 'DNA' tour.
Destiny's Child
Made up Beyoncé Knowles, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland, Destiny's Child's biggest hits included 'Survivor', 'Say My Name' and 'Bills, Bills, Bills'.
The group went their separate ways following a farewell performance at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game and went on to have solo careers.
However, the girls are still close and have reunited a couple of times over the years, including at Beyonce's 2013 Super Bowl performance and again at Coachella in 2018.
Speaking about the group's unbreakable bond, Beyoncé told Entertainment Tonight: "It's 20 years. We've known each other for so long and the industry doesn't really make friendships. It's the nature of it, and we still have each other after all these years."
B*Witched
With Number 1 songs like 'C'est la Vie', 'Rollercoaster', 'To You I Belong' and 'Blame It on the Weatherman', Irish girl group B*Witched enjoyed a huge amount of success in the 90s.
25 years later twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch, along with Lindsay Armaou and Sinéad O'Carroll, announced they would be reuniting to celebrate their 25th anniversary and releasing a new song called 'Birthday'.
JLS
The X Factor has produced some pretty impressive groups over the years. In 2008, all singing and dancing JLS, consisting of Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Oritse Williams and JB Gill, were born.
The four-piece enjoyed huge success with singles 'Beat Again' and 'Everybody in Love' but announced their intention to split in 2013 with a farewell tour and compilation album.
The boys delighted fans in 2020 when they revealed plans to reunite after seven years apart. However, their comeback 'Beat Again' tour was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and was rescheduled to October 2021.
The band have now announced another tour called: 'EVERYBODY SAY JLS: The Hits Tour'.
S Club 7
Back in the late 90s and early 2000s seven-piece pop group S Club 7, made up of Rachel Stevens, Hannah Spearritt, Tina Barrett, Jo O'Meara, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh and the late Paul Cattermole, ruled the charts. The band defined late '90s to early '00 pop music but sadly announced that they were splitting in 2003 (live on stage).
The group reunited for a brief tour in 2015, during which they released the previously unheard song 'Rain' but we've had no new music since.
Then, in 2020, Tina hinted that the band are "up for" getting back together after she thought that Giovanna Fletcher's choice to play the band's hit song 'Reach' as her luxury item on this years I'm A Celebrity was a "sign".
In February 2023, the news that fans have been waiting for was confirmed, with the original line-up would be reuniting for a reunion tour set to take place in October 2023. Sadly in April it was announced that Paul had died, at present the band have not released a statement about their tour.
Atomic Kitten
Girl band Atomic Kitten were a regular feature in the charts in the 90s and 00s, with hits like 'Whole Again' and 'The Tide Is High'. The line-up changed over the years, but has included Liz McClarnon, Natasha Hamilton, Jenny Frost, Kerry Katona and Heidi Range.
Kerry made headlines in 2002 when she announced that she would be leaving the band to focus on marriage and family.
They officially split in 2004, but came back on stage for a reunion in 2014.
In 2020, band members Natasha and Liz delighted England football fans during the World Cup with their rendition of 'Whole Again', changing the lyrics in praise of manager Gareth Southgate.
The lyrics were changed to: "Looking back on when we first met / I cannot escape and I cannot forget / Southgate, you're the one / You still turn me on / Football's coming home again".
They released the song as a single and even performed it at Boxpark in London to fans.
Sugababes
Original Sugababes members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhan Doherty formed in the 90s and the group continued releasing hits throughout the 00s, until each of the original woman had left the band and was replaced by someone else.
Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan reunited to form a band called MKS but sadly it never took off, and they have focused on their solo careers since. But all these years later they took to Instagram to announce they were getting back together! The group announced that they are reuniting for the first time in 21 years to play at Glastonbury festival 2022.
Cheeky Girls
The Cheeky Girls were big in the early 00s with songs like 'The Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)', 'Hooray! Hooray! It's a Cheeky Holiday' and 'Take Your Shoes Off', but it all went quiet after 2007 and they stopped making music together.
To everyone's surprise the twins announced in April 2022 that they were back with a brand new single called 'Let's Have Fun'!
Blue
Blue became household names back in the early 00s with hits like 'All Rise', 'One Love' and 'Fly By' - however the band, consisting of Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe, left fans gutted when they announced a hiatus in late 2004.
However, in May 2022, fans were buzzing when they boys announced they were getting back together. With comeback track 'Haven't Found You Yet', featuring on their new album 'Heart&Soul', Blue also went on tour in 2022!
NSYNC
NSYNC were best-known for their huge hits, 'I Want You Back', 'Bye Bye Bye' and 'Girlfriend' with Nelly, the group officially split in 2007, however they have reformed occasionally for special events.
In September 2023 they released their first new music in more than 20 years. The song was called 'Better Place' and features on the new Trolls movie, Trolls Band Together.
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