Reformed boyband Five were feeling emotional as they played the second of their three sold-out London dates this week, with Scott Robinson reflecting on their return and his own struggles during their 1990s fame.
Addressing the 20,000-strong crowd, Essex-native Robinson described the show as a “home gig”, telling fans: “We can’t believe we’ve literally got three O2s on this tour… it’s absolutely incredible and we thank every one of you for this.”
The band Five — Robinson, Ritchie Neville, Sean Conlon, Abz Love and Jason “J” Brown — kicked off their Keep On Movin’ tour in Brighton on Halloween, marking their first run of shows together as a full five-piece since 2001.
The reunited group powered through a 22-song set packed with late-90s and early-00s hits. They opened with their 1997 debut single Slam Dunk (Da Funk) before launching into Shake — performed for the first time since 2001 on this tour — and crowd favourite Got the Feelin’. Other highlights included If Ya Gettin’ Down, their chart-topping cover of We Will Rock You, and Let’s Dance, all of which had the O2 on its feet.
Robinson went on to speak openly about how fame had affected him during the band’s early years. “In the 90s I was so stuck in my own head. I was physically on these stages — not this one because it wasn’t built — but arenas around the world. Mentally I wasn’t strong enough,” he said. “I kicked myself for years because I never thought I’d get the opportunity to be back on these stages again with these four amazing humans.”
He also reflected on the period following the group’s split, saying: “I went away for about… I had a 25-year break from being in a five-piece.”
“That was a long cup of tea!” his bandmates joked.
He added that he built a “normal life” with his wife Kerry and their children before eventually feeling ready to reunite with his bandmates. “After sort of getting better and feeling like I was meant to be strong enough… that’s why we made the phone call to get back in a room together, and that’s why we’re here now.”
Robinson ended his speech by telling the band and crowd: “I can see you boys, I can hear you… and I can also see you wonderful people. You’re amazing.”
Bandmate Ritchie Neville also addressed the audience, quoting Rocky Balboa as he spoke about resilience. “Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows,” he said. “There’ve been times I’ve hit a stumbling block and thought, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to get through this.’ But if you dig in and keep moving forward, you realise that if you choose to be, all of us are invincible.”
While the band had downplayed the likelihood of their famous backflips returning — joking that they were “a bit older now” — Five more than proved they still had the moves.
Before taking the stage, the group received well-wish messages from Westlife, Queen’s Brian May and actress Daisy May Cooper, who joked that Five were “better than The Beatles.” Olly Murs also sent his support ahead of the show.
Murs later attended the concert in person with his wife Amelia Tank, with the pair sporting matching Five T-shirts. Sharing a backstage photo on Instagram, the Dear Darling singer wrote: “First date night since little Albie arrived. Obviously went to the O2 to see Five — what a night! Me and the wife were proper fan-girling it all evening. Felt good to just be us again for a few hours.”
The Standard was also in the audience and unexpectedly had glow bracelets confiscated on entry, after discovering that glowsticks and concert banners are now banned at the O2. It is unclear when the change came into effect, as the venue’s website — last updated 10 months ago — does not list either item as prohibited. The Standard has contacted AEG for comment.
Five wrap up their third and final O2 Arena show next Thursday.
