TV Island rekindled love affair with Blazin’ Squad
BLAZIN’ SQUAD Motorpoint Arena, December 6 BLAZIN’ Squad are ready to bring back the nostalgia to Nottingham.
Joining the likes of Peter Andre, B*Witched, Boyzlife, 5ive, S Club, VengaBoys, East 17, Big Brovaz and Booty Luv, the musical stars of the 90s and noughties will be joining forces for Stepback! The 90s this September at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
Marcel Somerville, who also appeared on the ITV2 dating show Love Island in 2017, says that he believes it was his appearance on the show that really got the ball rolling for the band to reunite.
“While I was on Love Island, Blazin’ Squad’s streaming levels on Spotify went up by 2,500 per cent, which is just unreal,” he said.
“My involvement with Blazin’ Squad was a big part of my story on Love Island, which in a way has rejuvenated interest in the band. When you think of Blazin’ Squad you tend to think of ten kids, but my appearance on the show has reminded people that we are all grown up now, and even prompted a new generation to check out our music on Spotify.
“Before I went on Love Island I had been doing some gigs in London with a couple of the other boys, but when I got home there was six of us who were up for getting back together as the offers started to come in.”
Joining Marcel in Nottingham this December include five of his fellow bandmates, Chris McKeckney (Melo-d), Oliver Georgiou (Freek), Sam Foulkes (Spike-e), Stuart Baker (Reepa) and Lee Bailey (Krazy).
Marcel added: “Nottingham is one of my favourite places. I used to go there every year for my birthday because my best friend owned a nightclub there, so I’m looking forward to going back.”
The reality star also revealed that he still gets fans reminding him of Blazin’ Squad’s 2002 hit Crossroads.
“I still get people coming up to me every day and telling me they’ll meet me at the crossroads,” Marcel said of the song, which rose to the top spot on the UK Official Singles Chart 16 years ago.
“Looking back, one of the biggest highlights of our career was doing ‘Party in the Park’ because it was the festival that everyone used to go to and we even got to meet Prince Charles.
“I still cringe thinking about the oversized stripy shirts we wore in the Crossroads video.”
And for those ready for a big heaping of nostalgia when the tour swings by Nottingham later this year, Marcel said the band will be sticking to the same performances that made them famous.
He said: “Fans can expect a highenergy performance with all of the classics. The only thing that will be different is that the clothes we wear now fit us!”
■ Tickets for the Stepback! 90s Concert at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on December 6 are available for £51.30 from motorpointarenanottingham.co.uk.