R5 at IndigO2

Well, what to say about a band like R5? It is our job to be impartial and honest, and it is part of our job to put ourselves in other people’s shoes, especially when they are supporters and fans of bands that we don’t like. What is the beauty? How can I describe an objective beauty? Does it really exist? Beauty is subjective, we are told, but there must be canons out there that an artist should abide by. Knowledge and beauty are linked, the more knowledge you have, the more taste you get. Unfortunately, R5 don’t respect any of these canons of beauty, and to be pleased by their music too easy listening.         

In front of a crowd of screaming and shouting teenagers, the LA based pop band played yesterday at The O2 Arena’s little sister Indigo2 in North Greenwich. The live set from these four boys and one girl, is a flat, boring and rubbery performance; the songs sound the same live as they do on record, making the gig pretty tedious. The band played all the songs from their last record Louder (that’s why the tour is called Louder) plus a cover of The Zuton’s Valerie. Hyped by the powerful single (I Can’t) Forget About You, their music is a sugary sickly pop dressed up with punk clothes – but without any real punk features.

For this 48-minute performance, the audience – as said, mostly formed by female teenagers in the front row, and bored parents at the back of the venue – were entranced by the scenic presence of the boys. This is a sad fact, considering all the good and valid music a 14-year-old girl can find in this city.

The amount of smartphones at the venue was pretty shocking, as all the girls at the venue were filming the live performance. Unfortunately, R5 are a sign of our times, a time where even people with no talent can be photographed and filmed as they were great musicians.

Lorenzo Cibrario
Photos: Rob Brazier

For further information and future events visit R5’s website here.

Watch the video for (I Can’t) Forget About You here: