The Big Reunion (2013– ) User Reviews

The Big Reunion

[jboothmillard · 7/10 · 7 April 2013]

I saw the advert for this documentary series and immediately knew I was going to watch it, some of my most favourite bands growing up and onwards were taking part, it was definitely a concept I was looking forward to seeing unfold and hearing their music all over again. Some of most popular British bands in the genre of pop music in the 1990s and 2000s had great success in the past, selling millions of records and gaining thousands of fans in the UK and worldwide, but due to problems within the band mates, losing their record deal or sales diminishing they broke up and disappeared from the scene. Narrated by Andi Peters, this programme set out to look back on the success the bands had, reunite the members, help them work out their differences and conquer their demons, to rehearse and perform together again on stage, including a nationwide tour. The bands that took part in the first series were: the original line up of girl group Atomic Kitten, before Jenny Frost (Kerry Katona, Liz McClarnon and Natasha Hamilton) who had hits "Whole Again", "Right Now" and "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)", girl group B*Witched (Lindsay Armaou, Edele Lynch, Keavy Lynch and Sinéad O'Carroll) who had hits "C'est la Vie", "Rollercoaster", "To You I Belong" and "Blame It on the Weatherman", boy band Blue (Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe) who had hits "All Rise", "Too Close", "One Love" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" (with Sir Elton John), boy band Five (Sean Conlon, Abz Love, Ritchie Neville and Scott Robinson, without Jason 'J' Brown) who had hits "When the Lights Go Out", "Everybody Get Up", "If Ya Getting' Down" and "Keep on Movin'", boy band 911 (Lee Brennan, Jimmy Constable and Spike Dawbarn) who had hits "Bodyshakin'", "A Little Bit More" and "More Than a Woman", girl group Honeyz (Célena Cherry, Heavenli Denton née Abdi and Mariama Goodman, Denton back in the heyday was replaced by Naima Belkhiati and never met Goodman) who had hits "Finally Found", "End of the Line" and "Love of a Lifetime", and vocal group Liberty X (Michelle Heaton, Jessica Taylor, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm and Kelli Young) who had hits "Just a Little", "Got to Have Your Love" and "Being Nobody (with Richard X)". The bands that took part in the second series were: American group 3T (with the three sons of Tito Jackson, Taj, Taryll Jackson and TJ Jackson) who had hits "Anything", "Why" (with their uncle Michael Jackson) and "I Need You", boy band A1 (Ben Adams, Christian Ingebrigtsen and Mark Read, without Paul Marazzi) who had hits "Take on Me", "Same Old Brand New You" and "Caught in the Middle", boy band Damage (Rahsaan J Bromfield, Andrez Harriott, Jade Jones and Noel Simpson, without Coreé Richards) who had hits "Love II Love", "Forever", "Love Guaranteed" and "Wonderful Tonight", Eternal (Easther Bennett, Vernie Bennett and Kéllé Bryan, without Louise Redknapp) who had hits "Oh Baby I…", "Power of a Woman", "Someday", "I Wanna Be the Only One" (with BeBe Winans) and "Angel of Mine", girl band Girl Thing (Jodi Albert, Michelle Barber, Anika Bostelaar, Nicola Harrington and Linzi Martin) who had songs "Last One Standing", "Girls on Top" and "Pure and Simple" (before recorded by Hear'Say), and supergroup 5th Story (consisting of Kenzie from Blazin' Squad, Dane Bowers from Another Level, Adam Rickitt, Kavana and Gareth Gates) who sang each other's songs - "Flip Reverse / Crossroads", "Freak Me", "I Breathe Again", "I Can Make You Feel Good" and "Spirit in the Sky". Also featuring choreographer Paul Domaine and vocal coach Yvie Burnett. It was really interesting top find out the history, success and of course breakups of the individual bands, the reforming process, the rehearsals and most importantly the final performances on stage with some of the best music from the times, it is a fantastic show, and with the memorable music a great way to feel nostalgia, a must see reality documentary series. It was nominated the BAFTA Television Award for Reality and Constructed Factual. Very good!

Interesting to watch

[usersince03 · 10/10 · 2 April 2014]

I have to admit when some music bands get together again after many years I feel there music is not as good but I enjoyed watching this series. This year involved 3T, Damage, Girl Thing, A1, Eternal and 5th Story (band featuring Kavana, Adam Rickitt, Gareth Gates, Dane Bowers and Kenzie of Blazin Squad). I remember these singers/bands growing up but was surprised they had Girl Thing, I don't think they were well known back in 2000. It was interesting to hear the bands stories before and after they were in the pop scene. The thing that got on my nerves was when they showed the bands performing their songs at The Big Reunion they would cut to one of the acts backstage. The two bands I'd like to see on this series is S Club 7 and Hearsay but I don't think they are planning to reform yet.