We carry the Vengabus with us in our hearts
WHAT’S ON EDITOR GORDON BARR CHATS TO ROBIN FROM VENGABOYS AHEAD OF THEIR SHOW WITH STEPS IN NEWCASTLE ON MONDAY
THERE’S the Vengaboys – and then there’s the Vengabus!
And while the former will be getting the party started at the Metro Radio Arena on Monday night ahead of Steps taking to the stage, anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the latter in the car park will be sorely disappointed.
“The Vengabus is really getting old now. We love the Vengabus, but there’s no heater, it’s dead, and it’s freezing cold,” Robin Pors from the group tells me. “But we always bring the Vengabus in our hearts with us. It’s our favourite bus in the world!”
Dutch Eurodance act Vengaboys are supporting Steps on their nationwide Party on the Dancefloor tour, and will be at Newcastle venue on November 20 and December 5.
“We’re so excited about it. We are so amazed about everything that is going on. I think the UK is the best country in the world as they know how to party, they love the Vengaboys and they love the 90s,” says Robin.
“They are going crazy always, so it’s a pleasure to be there always. We perform about 10 to 15 tmes a year in the UK. But I can’t remember when – I’m always drunk after a show! I’m hoping there will be a lot of people drunk during these shows too,” he laughs.
“We come from a long way back and Vengaboys and Steps met each other a few times in the past. Promoters thought it would be fun for us to perform together on one tour.
“A great night, going out, talking about it, and the people working around us were just as energetic about it as we were. And it just happened.
“It took nearly a year to sort, but it’s a good old friendship and so why not.
“The funniest thing is, we are both celebrating our 20th anniversaries. We started off at the same time. It’s cool. That’s why it fits so good.
“You can imagine my age now – I’m still 25, obviously! We don’t age. We stop counting at 25.”
For two decades Vengaboys have brought their own unique parties to audiences worldwide, selling over 20 million singles and five million albums in the process.
Emerging in the late 90s, Vengaboys had back to back multi-platinum hits with We Like to Party!, Boom, Boom, Boom Boom!! and We’re Going to Ibiza, reaching the top of the charts in over 25 countries across the globe.
Over the next three years the Dutch group, consisting of D-Nice, Kim Sasabone, Ma’Donny and Robin, were nominated for MTV Best Breakthrough of the Year, reached the top of the Billboard Dance Charts, and in 1999 were Holland’s most successful export that year!
Following a hiatus in 2002, the group reconvened in 2007 and have been embarking on their #NonstopWorldTour ever since, still partying just as hard all these years on, racking up over 1.7 millions plays on Spotify every month.
“We are going to steam up the Newcastle arena and we will do the biggest hits. We’ll have some surprises along the way with some other stuff.
“We’ve made a nice show with a variation of songs,” adds Robin.
“We are always in the studio working on stuff because we love to make music and hang out and have fun with the producers. So we have something in the making! I don’t want to give away too much.”