Project Description
. . VENGABOYS // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . Reel2Real // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . NTrance // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . Alice DJ // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . Whigfield // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . VENGABOYS // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . VENGABOYS // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . VENGABOYS // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . VENGABOYS // Photo – Simone Tyrrell Photography . . CLICK THE PIC TO VIEW THE NEWS
.VENGABOYS
+ Whigfield + Alice DJ
+ N-Trance + Reel2Real
@ Forum, Melbourne
12th February 2023
(Live Review)Review by Simone Tyrrell
On Sunday night, 12th February, the Forum theatre in Melbourne was transported back to the 90s with the Vengaboys sold-out show. Joining them for their show were fellow 90’s superstar’s Reel2Real, NTrance, Alice DJ and Whigfield.
If you thought the sold-out crowd at this show would be full of people in their 40s and 50s, then you’d be sorely disappointed! It was incredible to see people of all ages, but most of the crowd attending this show were in their 20s and 30s! It was a good indication that 90’s music is still alive and well across all the generations.
To warm up the crowd at the start of the night and in between sets was DJ Nick Skitz. In keeping with the 90s theme of the night, Nick Skitz also played all the favourite 90’s electronic pop hits which kept the crowd engaged and entertained for the entirety of the show.
The first act of the night to take to the stage was Reel2Real. When The Mad Stuntman came on to the stage he was met with thunderous applause from the crowd. The crowd was in the mood to party, and The Mad Stuntman brought the goods to get the crowd started. Of course, it goes without saying that the most popular song of the Reel2Real set was “I Like to Move It”. A song already famous in its own right but gained even more of a cult following and popularity with a whole new generation of fans thanks to the film “Madagascar” where this was King Julian’s hit!
After a fun filled set from Reel2Real was the fabulous NTrance. The fabulous British duo upped the energy level in the room with their amazing electronic pop tunes. The crowd was engaged with dancing, and jumping and singing along to all the tunes that were played. NTrance saved the best till last with their mega hit “Set You Free” which saw the whole of the Forum theatre jumping and waving their arms in the air. It was a magnificent sight to see.
Next on the bill was Alice DJ. Alice DJ came out on stage in leather style shorts, coupled with a black studded bra with a fine mesh long sleeve top over the top. She truly looked spectacular and had the party style down pat! Alice DJ was joined on stage by 2 dancers, one male and one female. The male dancer had a microphone as well and he led the crowd with commands and song. He directed the crowd when to jump, and scream and wave their hands in the air, which everyone happily and whole heartedly obliged. All Aussies know the biggest crowd response you can get from an entire room is to yell out “Aussie Aussie Aussie”. When this young man yelled this out in the set, he received a full loud and hearty “Oi Oi Oi”. He certainly had the crowd under his spell while Alice DJ delivered the goods belting out all the classic hits like “Forever Young” and the number 1 hit “Better Off Alone”. This song had the entire of the Forum Theatre sing at the top of their voices, raising the heavenly looking roof off the Forum! Alice DJ certainly bought the energy level up another notch in preparation for the big act to come!
Next up was Whigfield dressed in her 90s inspired outfit of bright pink skinny pants and a Spice Girls T-Shirt. She told the crowd she had hurt her back and had to take painkillers before the show, but she put on such a fun filled energetic performance that you wouldn’t have even known she had a sore back if she didn’t tell the crowd! The crowd sang and danced along to every song showing Whigfield all their love and support and you could tell by the fun she was having on stage it was felt and appreciated. The top song of the set for Whigfield was of course her number one hit “Sexy Eyes” which once again had the entirety of the Forum Theatre singing loudly and jumping up and down to the catchy beat song.
The sold-out crowd at the Forum showed no sign of letting up of their energy. They were saving the best for last. And they didn’t have to wait long! When it was time for Vengaboys to come out, vision of the band was projected on to the big screen at the back of the stage along with voiceover to rev the crowd up. Just before the band members walked out on to the stage, electronic fireworks went off from the front of the stage, and the band walked out to thunderous applause and screams.
The Forum Theatre was transported back to 1998, and it was like time stood still. The amazing foursome; Kim, Denise, Donny & Robin were dressed up in all the glitz and glamour of the 90s, donning items such as fluro PVC boots and ruffle skirt, corset, fishnets, a cowboy outfit and a sexy sailor outfit!
The group jumped straight into their set and from the very start, the crowd were singing and dancing along with the group letting them know they had their full undivided attention and love and were ready to participate at every opportunity they got.
Not only did the Vengaboys sing all their favourite hit songs such as “Ho Ho Vengaboys”, “Skinnydippin”, “Shalala Lala”, “Up and Down”, and “We’re Going to Ibiza”, but they also threw in some covers such as Aqua’s “Barbie Girl”, Village People’s “YMCA” and a short version of Men at Work’s “Land Downunder”. The crowd were having a ball with these songs and joined in with every song with gusto!
A nice surprise in the set was when the Vengaboys decided to slow down the pace and play their hit ballad “Forever as One”. This was such a heartfelt beautiful moment in the show which really showcased the talent of the group proving they can captivate an audience with their stunning vocals no matter the pace. After the song was finished, they effortlessly slid right back into their fun and upbeat songs, and dances demonstrating why they are such brilliant entertainers.
As the show was nearing to the end, there were still two more songs the crowd were hanging out for. When the tune started for “We Like to Party” the fans went wild with screams of excitement. Everyone partied, sang and danced to the Venga bus party hit and the crowd found an extra store of energy and were going crazy with the whole room jumping up and down and waving their hands in the air.
If the Vengaboys thought the crowd was going to slow down they were sadly mistaken, and clearly not disappointed! Everyone on stage and in the crowd were having the best time, and neither wanted the party to end! Luckily everyone had one last song in them, and the tune for “Boom Boom Boom Boom” started up and the crowd started singing before the song lyrics even started! The group said to the crowd “We want to hear you sing this one”. As the lyrics came up on the big screen, the entire Forum burst into song and sang the whole first verse by themselves without the band joining in. The volume level from just the crowd singing was incredible and it was such a great site to see and hear.
To make the last song extra special and fun, during the song large colourful balloons were released into the crowd and they were bounced around the room while the crowd had their hands in the air dancing and singing. Dry ice cannons were going off at the front of the stage as well during the chorus, and it all made for a spectacular finale.
Sadly the Venga party had to come to an end and the group said their goodbyes and thanked everyone for coming out to see them and left the stage.
The night may have ended but the memories the Vengaboys created that night of re-living the best of the 90s will stay with those who attended for many more years to come. It truly was a fun filled night. Let’s hope they don’t leave it too long between visiting us on their Venga bus again.
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