I am a 90s child, but didn't get the opportunity to see many of the bands that I loved such as Take That, the Spice Girls, Steps, Blue and the fantastic Five. However, in the past few years I have seen all the bands that I missed the first time around.
This leads to me the gig I went to last night. Anyone who watches ITV2 on a Thursday at 9pm will know that there is a certain programme called The Big Reunion.
It features bands that were huge in the 90s and early 00s charting their success, revealing how awful it was back in the day, why they split and also how they feel about each other. But also they are preparing for a big gig at Hammersmith.
The show has been on for a few weeks and hasn't finished yet, however, last night I went to the gig and it was absolutely brilliant!!
Featured in the show are 911, B*Witched, Atomic Kitten (with Kerry Katona not Jenny Frost), Liberty X, The Honeyz, and Five. They all performed last night with the added extra of Blue, still not entirely sure why.
The way they performed was excellent they all came out and did one or two songs and then the next act came out so it wasn't one long set for 20 minutes from each band, which I think worked really well.
Now I will start with the band that I loved and was most looking forward to seeing, they were also the first act out... 5ive, well Four minus J. They came out to We Will Rock You and the room went crazy.
It was fantastic, the atmosphere and you genuinely felt as if the boys were loving every second of being back on the stage to screaming girls, well women.
They did Everybody Get Up, If Ya Getting Down and Keep On Movin' pulling out the old dance moves. They were phenomenal and although I wish I had seen them back in the day I'm glad I saw them last night. I just hope now they do their own Five tour.
Atomic Kitten were the ones I was most interested in seeing as everyone seems to know about Kerry's troubles but they were really good as well, they did See Ya, Tide is High and Whole Again, which ended the show.
The only song Kerry looked a little awkward on, I think, was Tide is High but then that is the only one out of the ones they performed she didn't do the first time around. Everyone screamed when Kerry sang almost giving her the ego boost she needed.
B*Witched looked and sounded amazing, you could see they were loving the opportunity to perform again and Keavy and Edele Lynch had their very famous brother Shane from Boyzone in the crowd. Giving them his seal of approval.
Back in the day I liked 911 but wasn't huge fan but after seeing the show I have developed a little crush on Lee. Bodyshakin' really got the crowd going and Spike's body shake certainly didn't tame the crowd.
The Honeyz sounded amazing but I think their songs were a little too slow to keep the crowd up.
I was looking forward to seeing Liberty X again as I saw them when they first came out, but they seemed the least into it. No little looks to each other just performing. Kevin's voice though was brilliant, better than I remembered it being.
Now for the act last to the list... Blue. You can tell they have carried on performing as they were so polished, they knew their routines and sung perfectly. They did seem a little taken aback at the response but then Blue were huge. They sung All Rise, One Love and Sorry seems to be the Hardest Word.
The audience were fantastic and so was the venue. Small enough that you could see the bands clearly. We were sat just behind the family and friends section who had the whole front blocks of the dress circle. It was a little funny though as you could tell who was for which band, as when that band came on the whole section stood up and then sat back down again when they went off.
It was full of celebs though Keith Lemon, Matt Edmondson and the guy who used to the own The Hotel in the channel four show probably loads more that I didn't spot.
I am so glad I went and loved every second. I am still in love Five and my 90s crush on Scott is still burning bright.
All the acts performed really well and it felt like being back in the 90s either at a Smash Hits gig or Power in Portsmouth.
I'm in two minds about the tour as last night was fantastic and not sure if the tour will live up to it, will just have to wait and see.
I am so glad I am a 90s child and so glad I got to see the amazing bands last night.
Oh I forgot to say Andi Peters, from the broom cupboard. presented. Really going back to the old days and he was great.
Just got to see now if I made it onto the show. It will be broadcast on March 28.
Five
B*Witched
911
All the bands on stage
It is true that music can evoke memories, can take you back to a time gone by and make you feel the same way you did then.
Recently I have been listening to a lot of the Spice Girls, the greatest hits to be precise. No matter what mood I am in I can guarantee that after listening to Wannabe, Who do you think you are or Spice up your life I have a happy glow and feel instantly better.
I was 10 when the Spice Girls came out in 1996. I remember a girl in my class had printed off the lyrics to Wannabe, I didn't have sky or music channels at home so had no idea who they were but we sung the songs and made up dance routines.
When I did see them for the first time I was hooked and my obsession grew over the next few years. I had everything Spice Girls; the dolls, a cardboard cut out of Scary Spice (each of the girls had nicknames created by Smash Hits magazine - Baby, Sporty, Posh and Ginger), stickers, an alarm clock, pillows, you name it I had it still have it I hope up in my loft.
Spice Girls were the face of Pepsi, Walkers crisps and Cadbury's chocolate so no other brand would do, if it was good enough for them it was good enough for me.
I had platform trainers, one pair were black trainers with a white flatform heel, which I defaced. In the Move Over video/Pepsi advert Geri had a similar pair with Pepsi written on, so I did the same with permanent maker. My mum was not happy. I also, shamefully, had a neon green PVC pair of platform trainers that I even wore to school! My best friend at the time even tried to nick them, I loved them but looking back they were a thing of their time.
I remember being late for school once as me and my friend were waiting for the premiere of the Spice up your life video on MTV, the only time I was late for school.
If they were in any magazine be it Smash Hits, Top of the Pops or TV Hits I bought it and cut out each page and picture. I had folders full of interviews and even got the inflatable dolls from Smash Hits.
I remember being jealous of my sister's neon coloured Spice Girls puffa jackets.
I never got to see them live at the time but did see their comeback gig at the O2 a few years ago, a massive concert highlight for me.
Growing up Girl Power was a big thing to me, the Spice Girls made you realise 'yer you are a girl and you can be yourself and be who you want to be'. They were my idols and I think without Girl Power 90s I wouldn't be the person I am today.
I am going to see the Spice Girls musical in December - Viva Forever written by Jennifer Saunders, I can't wait, even just to hear the tunes sung live again.
Whenever I hear a Spice Girls song I can't help but smile, they were the first band I truly became obsessed with and are a part of me and growing up. I will also make sure my kids know all the words and love them.
So...
Viva the Spice Girls!!!!
Mel C, Mel B, Emma, Geri and Victoria!
I am feeling nostalgic so be prepared for more 90s nostalgia posts.
The thing that has sparked this longing for the past is one of my Christmas presents from my mum, the 3 CD album... Poptastic!
I was born in 1986 and grew up in the 90s so this CD has all the songs I can remember from my school disco days and I love it!
I remember when pop was cheesy and 'cool', when you used to cut out the lyrics to your favourite songs form Smash Hits magazine, and the only music channels were The Box and MTV.
You would learn all the dance moves to your fave songs and then perform them at the disco.
I remember when Victoria Beckham was known as Victoria Adams and Holly Valance was Flick in Neighbours.
This CD is three CDs of cheesy pop gold. Ok, so they aren't the coolest songs but you can sing along and dance to them. They just don't make pop songs like that anymore.
A lot of the bands on there I saw at Power in Portsmouth and Power in the Park held in Southampton, these were organised by Power FM (now Capital) and included all the best pop acts. I saw Billie, Honeyz, Steps, 5ive, A1 and Gary Barlow at these gigs. All of them (except Gary Barlow) are on the CD.
So to wet your appetite here are just some of the songs featured:
* Wannabe - Spice Girls - Classic!
* Never Ever - All Saints
* Pure and Simple - Hear'say
* Same old Brand new you - A1
* Life is a Rollercoaster - Ronan Keating
* Bye, Bye, Bye - N*Sync,
* C'est la Vie - B*Witched
* Cleopatra's Theme - Cleopatra
I know all are not particularly cool but classic 90s pop songs. It makes you realise how rubbish pop has become.
So if you were a child in the 90s early 00s you will love, love, love this CD.
