[Review] Vengaboys @ Forum Theatre, Melbourne 11/02/2023
An ocean of sequins, glitter and maritime-themed sailor outfits greeted me as I entered The Forum. It’s been 25 years since the Vengaboys exploded onto the scene and a quarter of a century later, it’s evidently clear that people – still love to party.
DJ Nick Skitz
The dance floor was already close to capacity when DJ Nick Skitz took to the stage. The Forum, a venue usually home to live bands had now been transformed into a massive night club. No time was wasted and DJ Nick Skitz came out strong with hard-hitting bass beats that reached deep into the chest cavity of every patron in the venue. He paced his set brilliantly and continually built the momentum throughout the night. There was never a lull in the energy and that is always highly commendable when well executed by a DJ.
Reel 2 Real
I was completely caught of guard by the next artist that came out. The Mad Stuntman of Madagascar fame himself! His larger than life personality and tremendous presence instantly brought the energy levels way up and goddamn – did we move it, move it. In a single song he captivated every person in the crowd and had them eating out of his hands.
N-Trance
Up next were the UK’s electronic sensation, N-Trance. Once again we felt ourselves lifted to another level. Their set was so infectious that I found myself dancing against my will. Those who know me, know that I never dance (my wife can vouch for that). However when the beats are this good, the body reacts without consulting the mind. Electronic Pleasure is more than just a song, it’s the perfect description of what seeing N-Trance live feels like.
Alice DJ
Leaving the UK we crossed the ocean with the next act coming all the way from Holland. The Eurodance chart toppers, Alice DJ. With every new artist that came on stage the venue seemed to keep getting fuller and fuller, with an endless stream of patrons pouring in. They had the audience singing at the top of their lungs along to the smash hit, Better Off Alone and had us all moving in unison with simple yet effective dance moves that the crowd, including myself, was happy to comply with.
Whigfield
I realise I’m repeating myself by this point but once again the energy in the room rose as the crowd roared as Whigfield aka Sannie Charlotte Carlson took to the stage. With songs like Sexy Eyes and Saturday Night the crowd was enthralled. These songs have been around for nearly 3 decades and in that time, they have lost absolutely none of their appeal to an audience that loved them just as much today as they did back in the 90’s.
VENGABOYS
The lights dimmed and a video played across the screen as a loud commanding voice narrated the words appearing on-screen. In what can only be described as an unreasonably epic intro, we were being hyped up for the headliners. The one, the only, Vengaboys. Bursting on to the stage in flamboyant and fluorescent attire they made their grand entrance, heralded by a flash of pyrotechnics. They went straight into Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom and the crowd sang louder than the sound system could keep up with.
The set wasn’t just their hits, but a non stop collection of some of the biggest dance songs and remixes of all time.
The set was closed with, We Like to Party and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that each and everyone of us was aboard the Venga Bus, as massive inflatable balloons descended from the ceiling of the Forum Theatre. The word nostalgia is defined as; a feeling evocative of a longed-for past time or condition – and that is exactly what seeing the Vengaboys made us feel.
Years ago when many of the artists I saw tonight first emerged, a lot of people, including myself thought that they might be a passing fad or even a little gimmicky. Maybe Eurodance and Techno was nothing more than a trend. However, no gimmick or trend can endure for 25 years, and then proceed to sell out two shows in a row.
What is it that makes an act like Vengaboys not just endure but thrive for as long as they have? Having witnessed it for myself I think I know the answer. This music makes you feel good. It brings people together and for a moment your problems go away and you are all united in the same warm, fuzzy emotion. And that my friends, is something that will never go out of style.
This review is dedicated in loving memory to my dear friend and brother, Jacob Ngahere. Let us always remember the party.
VENGABOYS
25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
WITH WHIGFIELD, N-TRANCE, REEL 2 REAL FEAT. THE MAD STUNTMAN + NICK SKITZ
Remaining Dates:
Thursday 16 February
Big Top | Sydney, NSW
18+
ticketmaster.com.au
Friday 17 February
Waves | Wollongong, NSW
18+
On sale: Wednesday 14 December (2pm AEDT)
moshtix.com.au
Saturday 18 February
Hindley Street Music Hall | Adelaide, SA
18+
moshtix.com.au
Sunday 19 February
Metro City | Perth, WA
18+
megatix.com.au
VENGABOYS Annouce Two New Australian Shows On ‘25th ANNIVERSARY TOUR’
In news that will excite ‘90s dance music lovers; Frontier Touring, Arena Touring and So Pop are today announcing two new Australian shows on the Vengaboys upcoming 25th Anniversary Tour. The legendary Dutch music icons will perform a second and final Melbourne show at the Forum on Saturday 11 February, as well as an all-new show at Waves, Wollongong, on Friday 17 February. The first Melbourne show on Sunday 12 February is now sold out.
Frontier Members will be able to access the Members only pre-sale from Tuesday 13 December (10am AEDT) before the General public on sale for both shows starts on Wednesday 14 December (2pm AEDT).
The second Melbourne show has been added in lieu of the previously scheduled Sunshine Coast show, which promoters Frontier Touring, Arena Touring and So Pop have been forced to cancel after the venue, NightQuarter, announced its permanent closure late last month. Ticket holders for the Sunshine Coast show need take no further action and will be contacted directly via the original ticketing agency to advise on refunds. Ticket holders will have the option of re-purchasing tickets for the Brisbane show at The Fortitude Music Hall on Thursday 9 February.
Vengaboys – Cowboy Donnie, Captain Kim, PartyGirl D’Nice and SailorBoy Robin – promise to bring their multiplatinum smash hits ‘Up & Down’, ‘Kiss (When The Sun Don’t Shine)’, ‘We Like To Party!’, ‘Uncle John from Jamaica’, ‘Boom Boom Boom Boom!!’, ‘We’re Going to Ibiza!’ and ‘Shalala lala’, along with current top-40 party anthems for a night of FULL. ON. FUN!
Transforming each venue into the school disco that you’ll wish never ends, don’t miss Vengaboys with friends – Whigfield, Alice DJ, N-Trance, Reel 2 Real feat. The Mad Stuntman + resident DJ Nick Skitz this February! Secure your tickets for the Vengabus via: frontiertouring.com/vengaboys
VENGABOYS
25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
WITH WHIGFIELD, N-TRANCE, REEL 2 REAL FEAT. THE MAD STUNTMAN + NICK SKITZ
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
FEBRUARY 2023
Presented by Frontier Touring, Arena Touring & More FM (NZ)
FRONTIER MEMBERS PRE-SALE
NEW SHOWS
via frontiertouring.com/vengaboys
Runs 24 hours from: Tuesday 13 December (10am AEDT)
or until pre-sale allocation exhausted
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE
NEW SHOWS
Begins: Wednesday 14 December (2pm AEDT)
TICKETS TO ALL OTHER SHOWS ON SALE NOW
via frontiertouring.com/vengaboys
Saturday 4 February
Auckland Town Hall | Auckland, NZ
All Ages**
ticketmaster.co.nz
Wednesday 8 February
Gilligan’s | Cairns, QLD
18+
moshtix.com.au
Thursday 9 February
The Fortitude Music Hall | Brisbane, QLD
18+
ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday 11 February
Night Quarter | Sunshine Coast, QLD
CANCELLED
Saturday 11 February
Forum Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC
NEW SHOW!
18+
On sale: Wednesday 14 December (2pm AEDT)
ticketek.com.au
Sunday 12 February
Forum Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC
SOLD OUT
18+
Thursday 16 February
Big Top | Sydney, NSW
18+
ticketmaster.com.au
Friday 17 February
Waves | Wollongong, NSW
NEW SHOW
18+
On sale: Wednesday 14 December (2pm AEDT)
moshtix.com.au
Saturday 18 February
Hindley Street Music Hall | Adelaide, SA
18+
moshtix.com.au
Sunday 19 February
Metro City | Perth, WA
18+
megatix.com.au
** Alice DJ and Reel 2 Real Feat. The Mad Stuntman not performing in Auckland
So Pop presents Vengaboys 25th Anniversary Tour.
In the summer of February 2023, Frontier Touring, Arena Touring and So Pop presents the return of Dutch Eurodance idols Vengaboys on their 25th Anniversary Tour of New Zealand and Australia! If you like to party, get ready to jump on the Vengabus this coming February, with Vengaboys friend’s, Whigfield, N-Trance, Reel 2 Real feat.The Mad Stuntman and resident DJ Nick Skitz – the ultimate throwback pop experience!
Vengaboys tour of down under starts at the Auckland Town Hall before heading over the ditch to play 7 shows in Australia.
Frontier Members pre-sale kicks off Monday 31 October 12noon local time before the General Public on sale on Wednesday 2 November 12noon local time. Tickets via: frontiertouring.com/vengaboys
Bringing a line-up of ‘90s pop royalty down under, catch these everlasting classic party tunes of our time performed live on the one stage during an epic three-hour extravaganza!
VENGABOYS – Cowboy Donny, Captain Kim, PartyGirl D’Nice and SailorBoy Robin are the Vengaboys and will bring their undeniable multiplatinum classics to celebrate their 25th anniversary! With over 700 million Vengaboys YouTube views, 1.5 million subscribers and more than 4.3 million Spotify monthly listeners, the lean and mean party-machine promises a blow-the-roof-off electrifying show!
The Vengaboys live experience showcases their smash hits, ‘Up & Down’, ‘Kiss (When The Sun Don’t Shine)’, ‘We Like To Party!’, ‘Uncle John from Jamaica’, ‘Boom Boom Boom Boom!!’, ‘We’re Going to Ibiza!’ and ‘Shalala lala’, along with current top-40 party anthems for a night of FULL. ON. FUN!
WHIGFIELD – Danish artist and producer Whigfield will transport crowds to the Eurodance generation with her global smash singles ‘Sexy Eyes’ (#1 ARIA Platinum), ‘Think Of You’ ‘Another Day’, ‘Gimme Gimme’ and ‘Saturday Night’. With five studio albums and countless global hit singles, Whigfield continues with new music, 2020’s ‘Suga’ and subsequent ‘Suga – The Remixes’.
N-TRANCE – One of the biggest selling UK dance acts of the 1990’s, N-Trance still reigns supreme on the dance floor whenever the thunder rolls! International classics include, ‘Set You Free’, ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy’, ‘Forever’ and ‘Electronic Pleasure’.
REEL 2 REAL FEAT. THE MAD STUNTMAN – American electro-reggae duo Reel 2 Real will be joined by The Mad Stuntman live on stage with their boisterous energy, commanding crowds and making bodies bounce to their classics ‘I Like To Move It’ and ‘Go On Move’!
NICK SKITZ– Australian pioneer of dance music Nick Skitz, has been filling party dance floors for years with his Hi NRG, techno and dance music mixes – and will be your resident DJ! In 2021, Skitz released Skitmix 59 (DJ Mix) (yes 59!) and is credited for starting the megamix craze Down Under. He’s released a whopping 43 Top 10 albums on the ARIA Dance Chart and hits including ‘Excalibur’, ‘The Ultimate’, and ‘You Got The Love’.
Transforming each venue into the school disco that you’ll wish never ends, don’t miss Vengaboys with friends – Whigfield, N-Trance, Reel 2 Real + resident DJ Nick Skitz this February! Tickets via: frontiertouring.com/vengaboys
VENGABOYS
25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
WITH WHIGFIELD, N-TRANCE, REEL 2 REAL FEAT. THE MAD STUNTMAN + NICK SKITZ
NEW ZEALAND
FEBRUARY 2023
Presented by Frontier Touring, Arena Touring & More FM (NZ)
FRONTIER MEMBERS PRE-SALE
via frontiertouring.com/vengaboys
Runs 24 hours from: Monday 31 October (12noon local)
or until pre-sale allocation exhausted
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE
Begins: Wednesday 2 November (12noon local)
18+
Saturday 4 February
Auckland Town Hall | Auckland, NZ
18+
On sale: Wednesday 2 November (12noon local)
ticketmaster.co.nz
