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So Pop is throwing it back to the ’90s
Featuring Aqua, Vengaboys, Blue, B*Witched and more, this is the dose of nostalgia we've been waiting for.
Beanie Babies, Tamagotchis, Disney films, CDs, Pokemon cards – weren’t the ’90s grand?
The music was just as topnotch, and thanks to the brilliance that is nostalgia, we get to relive the soundtrack of our youth again thanks to So Pop – only this time, instead of listening through our Discmans, we get to sing and dance along live.
This February, a heaving lineup of ’90s pop royalty will take over Auckland’s Spark Arena to deliver four hours of musical goodness. Collectively they’ve sold over 120 million records worldwide and are responsible for some of the biggest party tunes of our time.
We are already counting down the days, so let’s have a look at some of the hits we’re going to be singing along to.
Aqua
Denmark’s kings and queens of cheesy pop goodness, Aqua are leading the So Pop charge. Bursting on to the scene with their 1997 debut album Aquarium, their brilliant brand of bubblegum pop has given us bangers like Barbie Girl, Cartoon Heroes, and Doctor Jones. They’re currently on their second reunion, and after releasing a new single titled Rookie earlier this year, here’s hoping there will be more. But for now, let’s relive some of their best moments.
Vengaboys
They’ve had us riding on the Vengabus for more than twenty years, and now they’re ready to make a pit stop in New Zealand. From Cowboy Donnie to Captain Kim, each singer brings something different – and equally eccentric – to the stage. Winners of the World Music Award for ‘Best-Selling Dance Group’ in 2001, Vengaboys come packing a bag full of infectious pop hooks, and with hits like Boom Boom Boom Boom!! and We Like To Party (The Vengabus) you just know it’s going to be a good time.
Blue
With three #1 UK albums under their belts, O.G English boyband Blue are not to be missed. While they’ve got collaborations featuring Stevie Wonder, Angie Stone, Elton John, and Lil Kim under their belts, it’s their own hits – tunes like Best In Me, All Rise and One Love – that really get us moving.
B*Witched
Irish pop queens B*Witched are bringing all the hits from their huge 1998 self-titled debut to New Zealand. With singles like C’est la Vie, Rollercoaster, and To You I Belong it’s no wonder they are the youngest girl group to have a #1 in the UK.
Eiffel 65
All the way from Italy, it’s dance-pop trio Eiffel 65. Their 1999 debut album Europop is widely considered a landmark album for the ‘90s, and was vital in bringing Eurodance to a global audience. You’ll be blue (da ba dee da ba da) if you miss this. Has anyone figured out the real lyrics yet?
Lou Bega
It’s a one, two, three, four, five…Mambo king Lou Bega is on his way, and he is bringing his latin flair with him. If my family parties are anything to go by, when Mambo No.5 comes on, everyone is up dancing.
The Outhere Brothers
Is there a beat more iconic to the ’90s?
2 Unlimited
They’ve been bringing EDM to the masses long before it was cool.
Mr. President
The only President we need.
I think it was supermodel Kate Moss that said, “Nothing tastes as good as nostalgia feels,” right?
So Pop will bring the nostalgia to Spark Arena, Auckland on Tuesday 5 February. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.co.nz.
