{"id":670621,"date":"2026-05-14T15:11:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/670621\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T15:11:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:11:27","slug":"live-review-five-out-of-five-in-perth-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/670621\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Review: Five out of Five in Perth Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

13 May at HPC Mount Claremont Perth Western Australia <\/p>\n

Review by\u00a0Sheldon Ang<\/a><\/p>\n

photography by Sheldon Ang Photography<\/a> <\/p>\n

The lights plunged us into a twilight zone, followed by backstage beams shining at full power, carving five silhouettes in imperious stances. The visual was almost angelic, thanks to the transparent satin curtain that separated fantasy from reality. The screams were as manic as you\u2019d expect. Abz, Scott, Sean, Ritchie and Jason stood in silence for half a minute before marching like the boy band of the 90s and 00s to the front of the stage, perfectly in sync. Then the music kicked in, and they spun and kicked through choreography born in the \u201990s and early 2000s for the Gen X crowd. It was an intro full of spunk and attitude. There was so much swagger in these \u201970s-born men that we were immediately transported back to the \u201990s. The rap-style verses had lift, and the chorus was huge and chant-like.<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/ Sheldon Ang Media <\/p>\n

Beaming high in neon-like signage across two digital pillars was the stylised word Five, repeated top to bottom<\/p>\n

And just like that, we were back in the time of our university days and late-night clubbing. But it didn\u2019t take long before the young and the restless on the floor turned into backup dancers of their own.<\/p>\n

It was a Slam-Dunk (Da Funk) of a start, because this was 1997\u2019s debut single, the track that first stamped the band\u2019s pop-rap identity. It was edgy, funky and packed with infectious hooks. It was built for crowd participation, and the crowd gave it exactly that.<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media <\/p>\n

\u201cFor the first time in 25 years, one of the UK\u2019s most successful bands reunites with all five members.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those were the promoter\u2019s words, and they were enough to send Gen X, Gen Y and even a few Gen Z fans into a frenzy. That\u2019s right: the five members are finally back for a world tour that kicked off in 2025 and returned to Perth in 2026 for a second run.<\/p>\n

With boy bands finding their way back into the spotlight lately, the timing feels right for one of the biggest of them all to return, now as men in their late 40s.<\/p>\n

Time, of course, has kept moving. It was back in 1997, almost 30 years ago, that Five was formed, and since then they have sold more than 20 million records worldwide, with almost one million of those in Australia alone.<\/p>\n

For this photojournalist, it was a chance to rekindle the kaleidoscopic memories of university life, those six nights a week on the club circuit, Rage on TV, and a world where technology was just beginning to explode without yet taking over our lives. Tonight, around 4,000 fans were wrapped up in those same memories.<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media <\/p>\n

And the hits kept coming, including the ones many in the crowd knew by heart, even if they didn\u2019t realise they were recorded by Five. There was plenty more kicking and swinging on stage during Got The Feelin, and it seemed the stylised Five glowing behind them only got brighter as the night rolled on.<\/p>\n

What has always set this boy band apart is its rap. Jason and Abz Love were pop rappers as much as melodic singers, taking turns delivering the pulse of Five\u2019s sound. They stood out time and again, because after all, they were the engine of the band\u2019s verse-driven identity, and both carried that role with ease.<\/p>\n

And just like the great boy bands of the \u201980s and \u201990s, every member had a distinctive appeal. Jason is solidly built, looking more like a nightclub bouncer in Westminster than a pop star. Abz, with his face and head tattoos, has a look that could easily cast him as the lead in some gangland thriller. Thankfully, appearances were deceiving tonight, as they eased into ballads like Invincible and the Human League cover Human under semi-darkness while phone lights shimmered across the venue. It got sappier during Closer to Me. The shift from fast-paced pop to ballad was a beautiful contrast, one that the crowd clearly appreciated, as it showcased the group\u2019s versatility. Alongside the boyish looks of Ritchie, the forever head-shaven Sean, and Scott, now a father of four, they all briefly belonged to a gentler, more soulful world.<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for them to lift the pace again with Partyline 555 On-Line, with Jason and Abz once more taking the lead on the rap, before launching into the biggest hit of the night so far, If Ya Gettin\u2019 Down. By then, everyone was on their feet and dancing. The pop-rap energy was infectious, with Abz delivering smooth, rhythmic lines with effortless swagger while Jason added grit and punch. Thanks to a performance like that, HPC suddenly felt like the biggest nightclub in the Southern Hemisphere.<\/p>\n

When Five briefly went backstage, it was the moment we realised there had been a full live band behind them all along; after all, our attention had been fixed on the five in front. The four musicians \u2013 drummer, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist stepped into focus with a rock workout full of scintillating guitar riffs and a booming rhythm section, the perfect prelude to the next number, We Will Rock You. It was never about competing with Freddie Mercury, but it absolutely got the whole venue chanting along.<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

There were more covers, including a medley of Jump Around, Place Your Hands and Get Lucky, before the night closed with their biggest hit of all, Keep On Movin\u2019. And really, there could not have been a more fitting way to end it.<\/p>\n

It was the perfect culmination, on a journey that was built on pop rap and cheesy lyrics that is someone\u2019s addiction. Perhaps a new album is in order. <\/p>\n

On the live front, Five soar to another level.<\/p>\n

Five will be performing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland this month. Tickets are available from TEG Dainty<\/a><\/p>\n

Sheldon Ang Media <\/a>would like to thank Dianna O\u2019Neill Publicity<\/a>, TEG Dainty<\/a> and Five<\/a> for the media accreditation <\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Five in Perth 2026. Photo by Sheldon Ang\/Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

Perth Five Setlist<\/p>\n

Slam Dunk (Da Funk) \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

Shake \u2014 Invincible (1999)<\/p>\n

Got the Feelin\u2019 \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

Straight Up Funk \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the Things You Do \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

Lay All Your Lovin\u2019 on Me \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

When the Lights Go Out \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

Invincible \u2014 Invincible (1999)<\/p>\n

Human \u2014 Kingsize (2001)<\/p>\n

Partyline 555\u2011On\u2011Line \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

If Ya Gettin\u2019 Down \u2014 Invincible (1999)<\/p>\n

We Will Rock You \u2014 Invincible (1999) (Five feat. Queen)<\/p>\n

Rock the Party \u2014 Kingsize (2001)<\/p>\n

Closer to Me \u2014 Kingsize (2001)<\/p>\n

Serious \u2014 Kingsize (2001)<\/p>\n

Until the Time Is Through \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Dance \u2014 Kingsize (2001)<\/p>\n

Everybody Get Up \u2014 Five (1997)<\/p>\n

Medley (incl. Get Lucky) \u2014 Live medley \/ cover<\/p>\n

Keep On Movin\u2019 \u2014 Five (1999)<\/p>\n

About the writer\/photographer:\u00a0The founder of Perth-based\u00a0Sheldon Ang Media<\/a>\u00a0(est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 250 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), AD\/DC, Metallica, KISS, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro (pictured) with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed the late Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 100 artists. He\u2019s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist<\/p>\n

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