Boyband will perform two Scots shows in just weeks for the first time since bandmate died

Scottish Sun

22-07-2025

They will be joined by festival favourites Scouting For Girls and the Symphonic Ibiza
BACK AT IT Boyband will perform two Scots shows in just weeks for the first time since bandmate died
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A FAMOUS boyband is set to reunite for the first time in Scotland since their bandmate's tragic death.
The Wanted 2.0, now made up of Max George and Siva Kaneswaran, will take to the stage at the Foodies Festival in Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of the UK tour.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
3
The Wanted last performed in Scotland in 2022
Credit: Getty
3
Bandmates Max George and Siva Kaneswaran will play two Scots shows in the coming weeks
Credit: Splash
3
Tragic Tom Parker died after a brave battle with brain cancer aged 33 in March 2022
Credit: AP
It's the first time the duo will perform north of the border since the devastating loss of their bandmate Tom Parker, who died in March 2022 after a brave battle with brain cancer.
Fans of the Glad You Came hitmakers can catch them at Edinburgh's Inverleith Park on Saturday, August 2, and Glasgow's Rouken Glen Park on Saturday, August 10, as part of the three-day extravaganzas packed with celebrity chefs, cooking demos and top-tier live music.
The Wanted 2.0 will be joined by festival favourites Scouting For Girls and the sensational Symphonic Ibiza.
The band last performed in Scotland in 2022, just weeks before Tom's heartbreaking death at the age of 33.
Max and Siva reunited with bandmates Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuiness and Tom Parker for a greatest hits album and a one-off reunion show in 2021, which was followed by an emotional tour in early 2022.
The final gig, in Liverpool, took place just two weeks before Tom tragically passed away.
Reflecting on the tour, Nathan said: 'Obviously you'd give anything for it not to have happened.
'But, equally, I'm so grateful that we were able to have that time given that it did happen."
However, a four-piece reunion with Nathan and Jay seems unlikely.
Nathan, who is now focusing on his solo career, said: 'I'm really happy for them.
Max George shares health update as he leaves hospital after latest surgery
'They get a lot of enjoyment in performing the music, and they see it as a tribute to Tom.
'Whereas Jay and I's approach to it is that there's a lot of emotion attached to that still. And I think we would find that really difficult.
'It's just two different approaches, and neither one is wrong.
'I think it's really difficult imagining The Wanted as a four-piece because The Wanted has been and will only ever be a five-piece."
Max, 36, has also had a tough journey back to the stage.
The singer was fitted with a pacemaker in December after his mum, Babs, noticed he had 'turned blue' and insisted he go to A&E.
Fearing he wouldn't make it through Christmas, Max even wrote out a will on his iPhone.
Weeks later, he underwent a second secret surgery after the pacemaker wires were fitted too deeply, causing painful 'flickering sensations' in his chest.
Max admitted the ordeal left him shaken, saying: 'The night before, I was really nervous. I didn't sleep much.'
The health scare forced Max and Siva to postpone a gig at Manchester Cathedral in February, but now the pair are back and ready to hit the stage.
Siva, 34, said: 'Max and I are buzzing to be joining the Foodies Festival tour in Scotland. Scottish audiences are the best!
'It's exciting to be back out performing all The Wanted hits and seeing our lovely fans again.
'We're both big food lovers and have tried some amazing cuisine around the world on our tours—but having it all in one place to try? Amazing!"