Post by : Meena Ariff

There were few boybands bigger than Five in the late 1990s. Known for their high-energy performances and chart-topping hits like Keep On Movin’, Everybody Get Up, and If Ya Gettin’ Down, the group dominated pop charts worldwide. However, at the peak of their success, the band suddenly disbanded in 2001, shocking millions of fans.

Now, 25 years after their debut, Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville, J Brown, Sean Conlon, and Abz Love have reunited — not just as musicians, but as friends rediscovering their bond. Ahead of their much-anticipated world tour, the group opened up about the pressures of fame, the emotional cost of success, and their renewed approach to life and music.

‘It was too much, too fast’

The members reflect on the whirlwind years that made them global stars while also taking a toll on their mental health.

“It was too much too fast. Way too fast,” says Abz. “We were everywhere — planes, buses, interviews, shows — it felt like we never stopped to breathe.”

Ritchie compares their rise to “being strapped to a rocket,” while Sean, who was just 15 when Five formed, recalls, “I was in survival mode for five years. I honestly can’t remember a thing.”

Between 1997 and 2001, Five sold more than 20 million records globally, topping charts across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Despite the fame and fortune, the constant touring, pressure to perform, and lack of downtime left the group overwhelmed.

Anxious before the comeback

More than two decades later, when the idea of a reunion first surfaced, it came with mixed emotions.

Scott admits, “I didn’t sleep the night before we announced it. I called my wife and said, ‘What if no one cares anymore? What if people just move on?’”

Their worries proved unfounded. As soon as the reunion was announced, tickets for their UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand tour sold rapidly, with many venues nearing capacity.

Ritchie says, “We knew we’d done well back then, but we didn’t realise how much we’d meant to people. The reaction was emotional — we felt that love all over again.”

Testing the chemistry again

While fans were thrilled, the band still had doubts — could they still perform at the same level after all these years?

Sean laughs, “We sold out a tour without even knowing if we could still do it. We believed we could, but we had to rehearse to find out — and it’s still there!”

Now in their 40s, the group approaches performing with more awareness and balance. “We got into it very young,” says Ritchie. “It felt like winning the lottery, but the pressure was real. There was no time to process anything. It was a psychological rollercoaster.”

J adds, “There are blank spots in our memories. We were constantly in flight-or-fight mode.”

Reconnecting before relaunching

Interestingly, the reunion began as a personal reconnection rather than a business move.

Scott shares, “I called Abz after ten years. The first thing he said was, ‘It’s so nice to hear your voice.’ That call wasn’t about a tour — it was about friendship. We needed to rebuild what we’d lost.”

He adds, “No one outside our little bubble really knows what we went through. Getting back together as friends first made everything else easier.”

Performing with Robbie Williams

Earlier this year, Five performed Keep On Movin’ live with Robbie Williams during one of his London concerts — a nostalgic and emotional moment for both the band and fans.

Ritchie admits, “I was nervous. I thought people wouldn’t know who we were anymore. But when we hit the stage, it went off! The energy was insane.”

Sean adds, “Robbie completely got what we’d been through. We talked for two hours. He told us fame is like carrying a bag of rocks — you have to empty it day by day.”

A second chapter with balance and gratitude

This time, Five say they’re doing things on their own terms. They’re focusing on health, balance, and gratitude instead of chasing chart success.

“The people around us now are experienced and genuinely care,” J explains. “We’re being managed properly, and more importantly, we’re managing ourselves better.”

Asked if they’d relive their early fame, Abz smiles, “I would — but differently.” Ritchie laughs, “With this head, yes! I’d definitely be checking the accounts more often.”

After years of distance and self-discovery, their comeback isn’t just about reviving old hits — it’s about celebrating friendship, resilience, and the power of reconnecting.

As they prepare to take the stage once again, one thing is certain: Five are back — stronger, calmer, and more connected than ever before.

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