The Brighton Centre – 31st October 2025
Five’s long-awaited reunion at the Brighton Centre was a full-throttle celebration of 90s pop at its most fun. The iconic boy band, once chart-topping staples of the decade, brought their signature blend of swagger, energy and good humour to a crowd that had clearly been counting the days until the first date of their Keep On Movin’ 2025 tour.
It had been around 25 years since all five original members had stood on stage together, yet from the moment they appeared, the years seemed to dissolve in a flash of nostalgia and pyrotechnics.
Abz Love, J Brown, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon bounded onto the stage to a tremendous cheer. Opening with Slam Dunk (Da Funk), that unmistakable bassline filled the room, and the audience instantly transformed into a sea of waving arms.
The choreography might have softened slightly over the years, but the chemistry was as tight as ever, and they performed with a knowing grin that acknowledged both their history and the sheer fun of being back together.
When The Lights Go Out and Got the Feelin’ kept the energy sky-high, reminding everyone why Five were always a little edgier than their contemporaries. Their mix of pop hooks and streetwise attitude still worked, and it was heartening to see them lean into that persona with confidence rather than trying to reinvent themselves.
Between songs, there was plenty of banter and heartfelt stories. It all felt relaxed and genuine, like a group of mates reliving their glory days without taking themselves too seriously.
When the band slowed things down with It’s the Things You Do and Closer To Me, the crowd swayed and sang along, proving that even their deeper cuts still held emotional weight. Scott’s vocals were particularly strong throughout the night, grounding the harmonies and giving the set some real texture. The Brighton Centre’s acoustics helped too, allowing the layered vocals to shine rather than being lost under the beats.
Of course, it was the big hits that truly sent the place into overdrive. Let’s Dance turned into a mass sing-along, with Ritchie grinning as he pointed the microphone toward the audience, letting thousands of voices take over the chorus. The group followed with Human, sounding far fresher live than their studio versions. Partyline 555-On-Line brought a flash of retro fun, complete with cheeky visuals on the screens and playful dance moves that had everyone dancing.
The tempo lifted again with If Ya Gettin’ Down and their crowd-pleasing rendition of We Will Rock You. Their version of the Queen classic, though slightly controversial, remains a highlight, and hearing it thunder through the Brighton Centre was a reminder of just how massive that track had been. The stomp-clap rhythm reverberated through the floor as every single person joined in, proving that some songs never lose their power.
Until the Time Is Through provided a surprisingly tender moment, the lights dimming to a warm golden glow as the band stood side by side. It was one of those rare moments of stillness in an otherwise relentless show, and the emotion in the room was palpable. Then, with a cheeky nod to the early days of hip-hop, they launched into The Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight, a cover they performed with infectious charm that had the crowd bouncing all over again.
As the night neared its end, they saved the best for last. Everybody Get Up turned the venue into a euphoric 90s time capsule. Confetti burst across the stage, fans danced in the aisles, and even the security guards seemed to be smiling.
There was something wonderfully unpretentious about the whole night. Five did not try to reinvent themselves or chase modern trends. They simply gave the audience what they wanted: a high-energy, feel-good reminder of pop’s golden era. Their vocals held up remarkably well, the setlist balanced nostalgia and freshness perfectly.
Leaving the Brighton Centre, fans were buzzing, chatting about favourite songs and swapping memories from the first time they’d seen the band two decades earlier. Five’s return proved that great pop never really fades. It just waits for the right moment to step back into the spotlight, turn up the volume and keep on movin’.
Keep on Movin’ tour, Five review – 5 stars
The Brighton Bucket List 