Five at the O2 Arena, London – 20th November 2025

Five at the O2 Arena, London – 20th November

Photos and Review by Damien Harvey

There are concerts that entertain, and then there are concerts that transport you. On the 20th November at the O2 Arena, Five managed the latter. Their third consecutive sell-out date at London’s most iconic venue was more than just a reunion; it was a time machine back to the late 90s and early 00s, when boy bands ruled the charts and pop was unapologetically fun.

From the moment the lights dimmed and the opening beats of Slam Dunk (Da Funk) hit, the energy was undeniable. The five members stormed the stage in perfect formation, vocals tight, dance moves sharp, and the crowd instantly on their feet. It was the kind of entrance that reminded you why boy bands became cultural phenomena in the first place.

What struck me most was the balance between spectacle and intimacy. Between the big hits, the group took time to chat with the audience, sharing stories and memories. Scott Robinson’s emotional reflection on having his kids and family in attendance was a particularly heartfelt moment, grounding the show in something more personal than pure performance.

The setlist was a masterclass in nostalgia. Closer to Me slowed things down, performed on the second stage with a sincerity that gave the song new meaning after all these years. Then came the thunderous We Will Rock You, their famous Queen cover, which had the entire arena stomping and clapping in unison. It was a reminder of how Five carved their own space in pop history by daring to reimagine a rock classic.

Of course, the night wouldn’t have been complete without the hits that defined their career. If Ya Gettin’ Down and Everybody Get Up had the crowd singing every word, but the encore was where things truly went off the rails, in the best way possible. A mash-up of Jump Around, Place Your Hands, and Get Lucky turned the O2 into one massive party before the inevitable closer, Keep On Movin’. As confetti rained down and the band thanked the audience, it felt like the perfect full-circle moment.

What Five proved that night is simple: pop isn’t dead, and nostalgia isn’t just about looking back; it’s about celebrating music that still has the power to unite thousands of voices in joy. Twenty-five years on, they remain as relevant and entertaining as ever. For me, this wasn’t just a concert; it was a reminder of how music can define an era and still feel timeless decades later.

Setlist:

Slam Dukk (Da Funk)

Shake

Got the Feelin’

Straight Up Funk

It’s the Things You Do

Lay All Your Lovin’ on Me

When the Lights Go Out

Invincible

Human

Partyline 555‐On‐Line

If You’re Getting Down

We Will Rock You (Queen cover)

Rock the Party

Closer to Me

Serious

Until the Time Is Through

My Song

Rapper’s Delight (The Sugarhill Gang cover)

Let’s Dance

Everybody Get Up

Encore:

Jump Around / Place Your Hands / Get Lucky

Keep On Movin’