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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
5:09 PM 30th October 2014
arts

Gig Review: Big Reunion - Boy Band Tour 2014 - Leeds Arena

 
A1
A1
The 1990's were a period in pop music when UK boys bands were very popular, the most successful of course was Take That. The ITV2 programme The Big Reunion brought back together many of the acts of this era, it was so successful that it launched a UK Arena tour last year and again this year.

With the acts performing two sets in the first and second half of the show, complete with a troupe of female dancers, it was a fast paced and slick show. The only thing that was missing was Ant and Dec and then we would have been transported back to the days of CD:UK on a Saturday morning, a programme most of tonight's acts appeared on.

First up on stage were A1 who appeared to have worn as well as their tracks such as Same Old Brand New You and Caught in the Middle. Now down to a 3 piece the band promised some new tracks in 2015.

5ive
5ive
5ive and now no longer 5 and are also down to a 3 piece. With band member Sean Conlon coming from Leeds he was given a huge home coming welcome by the crowd. "This place wasn't built when 5ive toured back in the 90's" he informed the crowd. When The Lights Go Out and Keep on Movin' provided some uplifting moments to the evening. Like A1 they too promise new material next year.

Damage
Damage
Damage may have been the act that you do not instantly recall but with their new single going into the itunes chart at #4 this week someone must still like them. Like a less polished version of JLS, their vocals made an impact. Ghetto Romance and Forever still sounded good.

911
911
911 can still produce those energetic dance moves and the back flips you associate them with. They still look to be enjoying themselves too. More Than a Woman and Friday Night got the audience on their feet.

5th Story
5th Story
5th Story consists of Bradford's own Gareth Gates along with Kavana, Dane Bowers, Adam Rickett and Kenzie. The band has been put together for the tour and it showed - the band did not gel together like the other acts on the tour. It was Bowers and Kavana who saved the act with their strong lead vocals.

3T
3T
3T are Michael Jackson's nephews, not that you could forget that with a video of him and the act playing behind them as they performed their big hit Why. The act was one of the slickest ones of the night.

Blue
Blue
Blue headlined the tour and were the essence of the boy band phenomenon of the early 90's: R&B styled tracks with a cover version thrown in for good measure. All Rise and One Love will always be associated with them; the band can still cut it live too.

The Finale
The Finale
It was a Gareth Gates vocally led version of Spirit in the Sky that closed the gig when all the band members and dancers came on stage to close the show. A mixed show but one that delighted tonight's audience.