Brit Award winner, Grammy nominee and lead singer of legendary icons Five Star, Deniece Pearson is back, weaving elements of R&B, Pop, Soul, Disco, and Funk into her high-energy performances. There’s absolutely nothing dated about a Five Star featuring Deniece Pearson gig. Full of verve, edge, dynamism, and fresh frenetic energy, Britain’s answer to Janet Jackson teamed with two young hip hop street dancers who echoed and updated the Five Star moves rippling in the backdrop behind them. Cradled by a tight four-piece band, the trio clad in cream boots, Khaki leggings, and matching black and gold Five Star Hoodies, moved with hip hop funk, style, grace and strength, popping, locking, top-rocking with power moves, thrilling the audience with their staccato funk. At times it felt like Michael Jackson‘s spirit was being channelled through the artist. It was no surprise to find out that Deniece had previously been cast in the musical Thriller-Live. Those Jackson moves, vocals and vibes were flowing, all elevated and woven with her mellifluous vocals and unique Five Star hits. This was more than an elevated vocal performance, it was a visual treat too, with drums, guitar bass and keyboards platforming the street dancing with Deniece leading the trio in high-energy moves that would challenge 99% of the population. The synchronicity between the dancers and the star was flawless; the kinetic energy bouncing from artist to dancer to musician and back into the audience in high-energy circuitry.
Listening to the skill and quality of her live vocals, she should really be seen as a National Treasure. She performed in the West End show ‘Respect La Diva’ where she wowed audiences with Beyonce and Whitney Houston hits and it’s easy to see how Five Star won the Best British Band at the Brit Awards, gained a Grammy nomination as well as over twenty top thirty singles and seven consecutive hit singles from a single album in the UK. It is little wonder that she was handpicked to tour with The Jacksons and Billy Ocean.
With the youthful vibrancy bouncing from the stage it’s hard to believe that it’s Five Star’s 40th Anniversary this year. Afterall, they were still at school when they first started performing and they still hold the record for being the youngest British act to have a number-one album. Yet Deniece is still making hits with her latest single ‘Forever Young‘ reaching the top twenty in the Music Week charts right now.
Tonight’s set took place during an ‘80s weekender, filled with hardworking, fun loving people dressed as various ‘80s icons including Adam Ant, Hi Di Hi Yellow Coats, Super Marios and the cast of Grange Hill, to name a few. It was full of joy and hilarity, alcohol and great music, but – if I may be so bold – there appears to be a far wider audience for such a tight slick band who seem at their peak at the moment. I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of ‘90s indie kids who were into Oasis and Blur and even trance as teens who said that they absolutely loved Five Star when they were at Primary School. We may not be their obvious audience, but we are here and we still know every word. The Five Star venn diagram is far more wide reaching than I originally thought, intersecting funk, soul, R&B, Pop and Jackson Fans, ‘90s indie and trance fans of all genres as well as ‘80s kids This is a slick tight band who can hold their own in any environment. There is nothing kitsch about them. They are cool and sharp, elegant and classy in their own right. It is little wonder that she is able to appeal to the luxury audience too, selling VIP tickets for a pre-Christmas show at Royal Ascot this year. The dancers around Pearson give a fresh young energy and makes us reflect on how tight and sleek Five Star were in their heyday. With tracks like ‘System Addict,’ ‘Can’t Wait,’ ‘Stay Out Of My Life,’ ‘The Slightest Touch,’ ‘Find the Time’ as well as as several Jackson tracks, ‘Higher Love’ and even ‘Living on a Prayer‘. The range was evident. She even sung some extra much-requested songs acapella, illustrating the undeniable talent at her core as she brought warmth and unity to the audience. The joy of performing live was clear to see as she told us to all celebrate living in the moment.
The music seemed to be flowing from every cell in her being. Deniece’s father Buster had worked with Wilson Pickett and managed Five Star – with many viewing them as the next Jackson Five – so those high standards and quality musical legacy are still clear to see. If you haven’t seen Deniece Pearson yet then you are in for a treat. Your older and wiser senses will show the craft and skill that went into the success of Five Star and will illustrate how hard earned those awards and plaudits were. They are far more than a nostalgia act. That Wilson Pickett, Soul, Funk, R&B, pop, Five Star and Jackson legacy is fizzing right there in front of you on the stage and that fresh frenetic energy is timeless. There’s nothing kitsch here, just pure raw funk and talent.
Deniece’s Latest EP and single ‘Forever Young’ is out now and is the first taste of new material ahead of the release of her latest solo album, Free-Queen-See, expected in Spring/Summer of 2024. Deniece is continuing to perform at festivals and shows around the world as a solo artist and as the originial voice of Five Star.
