5ive dominated the pop charts back in the day with hits including Everybody Get Up, Keep on Movin’ and When the Lights Go Out.
And now they are back thanks to The Big Reunion which also sees them embarking on a boy band tour with a number of other groups including 911 and Damage.
We caught up with one of the lads, Sean Conlon, to find out how he feels about being back on the road and whether fans can expect some new songs.
Here’s what he had to say about…
Taking part in The Big Reunion
It’s obviously quite nerve-wrecking being thrust back into the spotlight, dealing with the fame again and facing the old issues. There was also the thing about getting the tunes out there and being judged for it. We didn’t know if it was going to work out or be successful. There was always an element of risk about it although we did believe in it and it was definitely worth it. For me personally, I had a lot of demons and negative things that I wanted to overcome so for me it was a real personal journey and I think that’s why people connected with 5ive because it was a genuine reunion and we weren’t just going through the motions.
Being back on tour
The fact that we got to play arenas on the last Big Reunion tour was absolutely unbelievable. We never expected it. We thought we’d get to play some gigs and that but to do arenas after so many years away, we never thought we’d get to play them again. To get this opportunity a second time around is just amazing and the boy band tour has a great line-up including Damage, 5th Story, 911 and Blue. Sometimes you’ve got to pinch yourself. I think it will be amazing fun because it’s just lads so it will definitely be a different dynamic. On the other hand, I’m touring for the first time since I’ve had my daughter so I’m not looking forward to being away from home and my family.
Performing with the lads again
I’ve been calling it the testosterone tour so I think it will be very charged and I think you can expect great tunes. There are a lot of good songs from that era and it’s about celebrating that time. It means a lot to the fans and the bands. On the last tour, I met a few friends who said that they, like us, had reunited for the first time in 12 years because they hadn’t been together since our last tour. It’s about remembering a special time in all of our lives.
His favourite song and new material
I think Keep On Movin’ is our strongest song. It’s the one that most of the radio stations continue to play and I love the positive element of it. It’s universal and it’s just an uplifting song. I really like performing that one. As for new material, I think there’s never been a grand plan with us. Obviously The Big Reunion is all about looking back and celebrating our tunes and lives at that time so I think to bring new songs in at with it would be a double message. Personally I would love to do new songs with the band but we’re all individuals so until we sit down and work out what everyone wants, who knows.
Playing in front of an Irish crowd
If I say what I’m about to say, it’s probably going to sound insincere but I’ve got to be honest. We played Dublin and we’ve also been to Belfast, and I don’t want to knock the English crowd because they’re amazing, but there’s something special about the Irish crowd. They know how to party and they know how to have a good time. I can’t wait for it! Dublin in particular, there’s always plenty of Guinness flowing so I’m really looking forward to it.
The boy band tour
Testosterone. Boy Band. Great Songs.
Tickets for The Big Reunion Boy Band Tour featuring 5ive, Blue, A1, 5th Story, Damage, 3T and 911 are on sale. For more information, click here.
