FIVE keep on movin' to Chelmsford for festival gig

News imageBBC Five men dressed in black and white are huddled together in a studio, against a white background, all smiling and laughing.BBC
The band started performing together as a quintet last year, for the first time in more than 25 years

FIVE have been announced as the first headline act for a festival in Essex next year.

Despite recent performances in Australia and New Zealand, the 1990s boyband are due to keep on movin' for the second annual Chelmsford Summer Series in the city's Central Park on 27 August.

It will mark 30 years since their formation and follows the band's reunion in 2025.

Jennie Lardge, the deputy leader at Chelmsford City Council, said the festival "reflects our ambition for the city".

"[They are] also helping to strengthen Chelmsford's reputation as a destination for culture and events that the whole city can be proud of," said the Liberal Democrat councillor, who is also cabinet member for culture and leisure.

Scott, Ritchie and Sean recounted the moment they were signed by RCA Records for BBC documentary Boybands Forever

FIVE sold more than 20 million records in the late 1990s and early 2000s with tracks such as When The Lights Go Out, If Ya Gettin' Down and Slam Dunk (Da Funk).

The quintet appeared together on stage for the first time in more than 25 years for their Keep On Movin' tour of the UK and Ireland in 2025.

Chelmsford Summer Series is run by promotions company Louder Entertainment. McFly, Sugababes and Craig David performed at the inaugural event this summer.

A spokesperson said further artists and details would be announced.

Chelmsford has not hosted a major flagship music festival since the final V Festival in 2017, but has enjoyed a renaissance of events in recent years, with the inaugural State Fayre at Hylands Park this summer and BBC Radio 2 in the Park in 2025.

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