EXCLUSIVE: Five on ‘unfinished business’ and their return to Dundee
- Andrew Batchelor
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Since their formation in 1997, Five has captivated audiences around the globe, selling over 20 million records and charting in more than 20 countries.
Their infectious energy and catchy hooks made them a household name, establishing them as one of the most successful boy bands of their era.
Their impressive track record includes achieving Top 10 hits with all 11 of their singles, including three that reached No.1. Their debut album, the double-platinum Five, soared to the top of the Official Charts in 1998, followed by another hit with Invincible in 1999. Five's global appeal was further solidified through a successful world tour that took them across the UK, US, Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia.
Their 2025 Keep On Movin’ tour marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time all five members shared the stage in over 25 years. What began as a 12-show stint quickly expanded to 25 arenas across the UK and Ireland.
Excitement is now building as they prepare for headline slots at the Discovery Festival in Dundee, Darlington, and Plymouth.
So when I sat down with Five, there was an immediate sense that this wasn't just a comeback built on nostalgia. There was something more reflective about it - a feeling that this return has been carefully considered rather than rushed into.
While their music is tied to a very specific era for many people, the band themselves are experiencing this chapter in a completely different way, with a perspective that only comes from time away.
When I ask what it feels like performing now, with crowds made up of both long-time fans and a new generation discovering their music for the first time, they don’t overthink the answer. Instead, there’s a simplicity to it that says a lot about where they are now.
“It’s really nice to see - there are old fans there, new fans there, and everyone’s just enjoying it together.”
There’s a genuine appreciation behind that. It’s not just about looking back - it’s about seeing their music continue to connect, evolve, and find new life in front of them.
That sense of reflection carries naturally into Dundee. It’s been around 28 years since they last performed in the city, and while not all of them can recall the exact show, they remember the pace of that time vividly.
The late 90s, as they describe it, were relentless. Every city blended into the next, every performance part of a much bigger whirlwind that rarely gave them a chance to pause.
“We were busy, constantly moving, rushed off our feet - it was just non-stop back then.”
It wasn’t just Dundee - it was everywhere. That intensity defined the experience, and in many ways, shaped how little of it they were actually able to take in at the time.
One story in particular sums that up perfectly. Looking back now, there’s a sense of disbelief as one of the band laughs about a moment that should have felt monumental at the time.
“I didn’t even realise we’d performed with Queen at Hyde Park - that’s how mad it all was.”
It’s a lighthearted admission, but it captures the reality of that era. The scale of what they were doing didn’t always have time to land, because everything was moving so quickly. Big moments came and went, often before they had the chance to properly process them.
Now, returning to the stage years later, the contrast is clear. There’s a shared agreement across the group that things feel very different this time around. The pressure has lifted, the pace has slowed, and there’s a new ability to actually experience what they’re doing.
“It’s a lot more relaxed now, a lot less stressful - we can actually enjoy it this time.”
That shift in mindset is central to why they’re back. They describe this return not as a simple reunion, but as something that had been sitting with them for years.
“It felt like unfinished business - like there was more we needed to do.”
When I ask about the moment it all first felt real back in the beginning, the answer comes instantly, without hesitation.
“It was instantaneous - everything just happened so quickly.”
They take it right back to their first performance at the Radio 1 Roadshow, a moment that changed everything in the space of a single day. Watching Peter Andre signing autographs, they remember wondering when their own moment might come.
“And then that same day, we were signing autographs ourselves - it all just kicked off from there.”
From that point, everything escalated. Signing a record deal felt surreal, like stepping into a version of their lives they had only imagined up until that point. But the reality behind the scenes was far less polished than people might expect.
“We thought we were bad when we first got into the studio - honestly, we didn’t think we were that good.”
It wasn’t instant success. It was a process, one that required time, development, and patience as they found their sound and identity.
“It was work in progress… but we got there in the end, and it all came together.”
What stands out now is how naturally that connection has returned. Despite the years apart, there’s a sense that the chemistry never really disappeared.
“Second time around, we just clicked again - like we’d never been away.”
Looking ahead to their return to Dundee for Discovery Festival, there’s a clear excitement about what kind of atmosphere they’re walking into. They expect a crowd that’s fully engaged, fully involved, and ready to bring energy from the first moment to the last.
“The Celtic passion - you can feel it in places like this, and that’s what we’re expecting.”
After recently completing an arena tour, they’re now stepping back into outdoor shows, something that brings a different kind of energy altogether. It’s less contained, more open, and driven even more by the crowd.
“We’re expecting people to be up on their feet, dancing, singing along - that’s what makes it special.”
They’re confident in what they bring to the stage, and how that energy builds throughout a performance.
“We create a good energy on stage, and we want to bring that to Dundee.”
There are also moments within the set that stand out - the kind of things fans remember long after the night ends. One in particular gets a mention straight away.
“Shaun’s breakdancing on his head - that’s always a real standout moment in the show.”
But beyond the performance itself, the biggest difference is how they experience it now. Back in the 90s, they were, as they put it, completely exhausted by the pace of everything.
“We were knackered back then - just constantly going, constantly working.”
Now, there’s a shift. They’re more present, more aware, and able to take everything in as it happens.
“Now we can actually enjoy it - we love being on stage, and you can feel that people love it too.”
That connection with the audience feels stronger, more balanced, and more meaningful than it did the first time around.
So when I ask them to sum up what being back together means in a single word, the answer comes quickly, and without any debate.
“Lifechanging.”
And this time, they’re able to truly take that in.
Five perform at the Discovery Festival which takes place at Slessor Gardens in Dundee on 26 July with the festival taking place from 24-26 July. Tickets are available now. Promo code "WEBSITE5" to get £5 off tickets
