5ive at the Hammersmith Apollo

Promoting their second reunion after the unsuccessful 2006 attempt, and following this year’s reality show The Big Reunion, ex boy-band 5ive presented their repertoire at the Hammersmith Apollo last night. Frankly, it was awful.

It begged the question: what was that? A karaoke night? A night at a piano bar? First of all, there was a problem with the number, no longer five but four. Of course they can’t change their name now, but it is a bit ridiculous to see four men in their thirties dancing like teenagers under the name of 5ive.

Secondly, onstage these guys are just lazing around backed up by a band of musicians who play other people’s songs (We Will Rock You by Queen and Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, among others) – basically 80% of their songs contain samples from famous tracks. Why anyone would be satisfied to see four singers running, jumping and winking at the audience rather than playing music is a real mystery.

One hour and fifteen minutes was the total stage time, but it would have been enough even after ten minutes. Maybe they could have condensed it to just the final part of the show, when they sang all their famous hits, Everybody Get Up, Keep On Movin’, Slam Dunk (Da Funk) and Let’s Dance. To be very outspoken, it was an absolutely painful live concert. Not only that, there was a noisy collective estrogenic hysteria at the Apollo for these men, which was quite surprising given the average age. All those ladies were certainly long term fans, but all of that shouting was really too much.

The teen-band idea itself implies that after their teenage years the members of a band like this should give it up, so one must ask what was the thinking behind this tour?

Lorenzo Cibrario
Photos: Erol Birsen

For further information and future events visit 5ive’s website here.

Watch the video for If Ya Gettin’ Down here: