911 bring the house down with a joyful celebration of 90s pop - review
The boyband brought a mix of familiar hits, memories and audience participation to The Edge Arts Centre on their 30th anniversary tour
The Edge Arts Centre went back to the 90s when 911 brought their 30th anniversary tour to Much Wenlock on Saturday, with a set packed with familiar hits and plenty of audience participation.
Lee, Jimmy and Spike opened with A Night to Remember before working through songs including Don’t Make Me Wait, Party People...Friday Night and Private Number. The audience joined in with the singing and dancing, while colourful lighting and clear sound helped create a lively atmosphere.
A highlight of the evening was the band's relaxed approach between songs. The trio shared memories of their career and the 90s, from Top of the Pops and Surprise, Surprise to Smash Hits magazine.
They invited the audience to name their favourite bands from the era, asked about birthdays and anniversaries, and chatted about Much Wenlock, including its pubs. These exchanges helped give the show a more informal feel, with the band members joking among themselves and encouraging the crowd to join in.
After the interval, the set continued with Rhythm of the Night, Love Sensation, More Than a Woman and The Journey.
The closing songs included A Little Bit More, which reached number one in the UK, followed by Bodyshakin’. The trio also performed the backflip that became one of their trademarks, drawing a strong reaction from the audience.
911 scored 10 consecutive UK Top 10 singles during their original chart career, and the anniversary tour offered a reminder of the songs that made them familiar to pop fans in the 1990s.
Their vocals and dance routines remain central to the show, while the memories and interaction between songs gave the performance a nostalgic feel. The audience responded with plenty of singing and dancing, making for an enjoyable evening of 90s pop at The Edge Arts Centre.
By Peter Neale