Twenty-five years. That’s how long fans waited, wondering if they’d ever see all five members of Five – Abz Love, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Sean Conlon, and Jason ‘J’ Brown – share a stage again. The reunion, once a distant dream, is now a reality, and the energy surrounding their comeback tour is palpable.
Mid-rehearsal for their London O2 Arena show, the band members were already celebrating a major victory: simply staying friends. “I actually do congratulate us for not falling out,” Ritchie admitted with a laugh, acknowledging the often-turbulent history of boy bands. Their dynamic, a blend of playful ribbing and genuine affection, was immediately apparent.
Five’s past is marked by previous reunion attempts that were incomplete, missing key members each time. This time, however, feels different. The tensions that once simmered have dissolved, replaced by an effortless camaraderie that shines through. It’s a testament to time, maturity, and a shared history that binds them together.
A spontaneous moment captured the band’s playful spirit: J playfully tugged Abz’s clothes over his mouth after a shared glance, a lighthearted exchange revealing their comfortable rapport. This contrasts sharply with past conflicts, documented in the late 2000s, and even a tour completed with a cardboard cutout standing in for a missing member.
The emotional weight of the reunion wasn’t lost on them. Sean recalled tears flowing in the dressing room before their first full show in Cardiff, a powerful acknowledgment of the significance of the moment. It wasn’t their first time performing together in decades, though.
The unexpected catalyst for their return to the stage was a surprise appearance at a Robbie Williams concert. When Williams paused his performance of “Keep On Movin’” to bring out Five, the crowd erupted. It was a watershed moment, their first time sharing a stage in 25 years, and the response was overwhelming.
Williams, they said, was “really cool,” understanding the unique pressures of boy band fame. He even invited them for a casual backstage hangout, a two-hour “chinwag” free of managers and publicists – just six former teen stars connecting on a personal level. The experience, Sean described, was “profound.”
The band playfully floated the idea of a collaboration with Williams, envisioning a mashup they dubbed “Only Takes Five Minutes Girl,” sparking another round of laughter. Their easygoing banter extended to teasing Abz about his Five-branded socks, a small detail that highlighted their shared sense of humor.
While some might dismiss the reunion as a purely commercial venture, the genuine connection between the members is undeniable. Even the recent surge of fan attention directed towards J hasn’t created friction. “People are thirsty out here,” Abz quipped, “We need to quench their thirst, that’s all we’re doing.”
J, though somewhat surprised by the online attention, acknowledged the potential pitfalls of social media. He spoke of the power of a single negative comment to overshadow countless positive ones, a sentiment echoed by Ritchie, who noted how easily negativity can stick with you.
Their “head of social media,” Scott, reported a wave of positivity surrounding the reunion, a welcome change from the intense scrutiny they faced during their initial rise to fame. They’ve learned to approach online interactions with compassion, a sign of their personal growth.
Rehearsals haven’t been without their challenges. The physical demands of the tour have left them “knackered,” as Abz put it, with Sean admitting he could barely walk after their first dance lesson. Even simple tasks, like getting dressed, have become comedic fodder, with Sean requiring assistance from the wardrobe department.
Despite the bumps in the road, their enthusiasm is infectious. Five has clearly invested significant effort into making this comeback a success. They’ve navigated past conflicts, embraced their shared history, and emerged stronger than ever. And as they prepare to “keep on movin’,” they’re ready to deliver a show that fans have waited a lifetime to see.
