If you were a British boy band fan of a certain age, then Friday night’s Robbie Williams gig at Emirates Stadium in London was Christmas and New Year’s wrapped into one. Not only did Williams rock the crowd with his set of massive hits, including “Let Me Entertain You,” “Rock DJ” and “Love My Life,” but midway through the first act he brought out some fellow boy band survivors for a very special cameo that blew the crowd’s minds.
In the first live performance of the full group in 25 years, Williams welcomed 1990s British lad band favorites 5ive — Jason Brown, Sean Conlon, Abz Love, Ritchie Neville and Scott Robinson — out on stage to sing their beloved 1995 “Keep on Movin.’” Former Take That member Williams teased the surprise by beginning to sing the song himself before admitting to the audience, “I don’t remember the words to this next bit. I wonder if anyone can help me out? Ladies and gentlemen, the first time they’ve been seen on stage for 25 years, my mates, 5ive!”
The men then came out and bounced across the stage as they sang the buoyant pop hit alongside Williams, who was dressed in red track pants and a matching tank top. “Give them so f–kin’ love!” Williams shouted after the shock pop-in.
In a post-show carousel featuring pics of the guys posting with Williams, 5ive wrote, “Wow, what an honour to be asked by @robbiewilliams to join him on stage at his London stadium show. Rob has been such a big supporter of ours, from the early days through to our comeback, so when he reached out to ask whether we’d come out on stage for his performance of ‘Keep On Movin’,’ it was the EASIEST yes. To get to share that moment with @robbiewilliams infront of 60,000 people was crazy… definitely a version of ‘Keep On Movin’’ we’ll never forget.”
Back in February, 5ive — who originally formed in 1997 after its members answered an ad seeking young male singer/dancers with “attitude and edge” — revealed that they are reuniting for a full-force fall U.K. tour slated to kick off on Oct. 31 at the Brighton Centre in Brighton. “This has been a long time coming and it really does feel right for all of us now – 25 years on and we’re so ready for it,” they wrote on Instagram at the time. “We really can’t wait to get back on stage together and see you all in person, it’s gonna go OFF!! Let’s goooooo!
5ive split following the release of their third album, Kingsize, in 2001, then attempted a comeback in 2006 before properly reuniting, without Brown, in 2012 for the first in a series of comeback tours.
After the release earlier this year of his unconventional biopic Better Man, Williams announced the name of his upcoming 13th solo studio album, Britpop, which is due out in the fall.
Check out fan footage of the 5ive reunion at Williams’ show below.
