Live Review: Vengaboys with Sash! Alex Party and Nick Skitz
17 January 2025 at Metros City, Perth Western Australia.
Sash!, Alex Party and DJ Nick Skitz reviewed by Krystal Galloway
Vengaboys reviewed by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
The ultimate 90’s throwback event, 90’s Mania – Live in Concert, kicked off its epic Australian tour with a bang at Metro City, Perth. Presented by MG Live, Frontier Touring, and Arena Touring, this pop extravaganza brought a night of endless party anthems, featuring Europe’s #1 party act, the Vengaboys, alongside special guests DJ SASH!, Alex Party, Livin’ Joy, and Australia’s very own Nick Skitz.
Doors opened at 7:30 pm, and from the moment the first eager fans escaped from the unexpected summer rain, the 90’s energy was electric. Walking in felt like stepping into a time machine, with the sounds of the era’s biggest dance anthems reverberating through the iconic Metro City. The outfits were bright, with glowsticks and glitter. Bright lights pulsed to the beats, smoke machines setting the mood, shrouding the stage in mystery, creating the “if you know, you know” vibe as to who was on stage behind the decks. For those in the know, the silhouette was quickly recognised to be Nick Skitz, Australia’s Godfather of Dance Music, kicking off the night with his signature energy and style. With tunes pumping, a crowd that was ready to relive party days gone by, and a line-up of 90’s legends, the stage was set for a night of unforgettable nostalgia that would keep Perth dancing
Nick Skitz
The party started immediately as the doors were opened and the crowd built over the different levels Metro City provides, we knew we were all in for a treat! Still using CDs, no less. It was clear why he has been at the forefront of Australian dance music for decades. In an age dominated by digital DJ software, seeing Nick’s old-school approach was both nostalgic and impressive, a true nod to the roots of the genre. Classics like Call on Me by Eric Prydz, Missing by Everything but the Girl, and Where Do You Go by No Mercy brought the crowd to life. In between sets, Nick seamlessly kept the energy alive, proving why his SkitzMix series has stood the test of time.
This show brought back so many memories. As a fan for over 20 years, it transported me straight to 2002, cruising around with Skitzmix 12 blasting through the speakers, thinking life couldn’t get any better. And now, with the release of Skitzmix 60, I’ve had on repeat since day one, it’s incredible to see Nick still delivering fresh, iconic sounds that make you want to move.
Nick Skitz isn’t just an artist; he’s a lifestyle, a pioneer, and a legend of Australian dance music. Last night was a celebration of all those years of innovation and connection with his Skitz Army. Here’s to many more decades of Nick doing what he does best!
Alex Party/Livin’Joy
The energy kept growing when Alex Party hit the stage. Comprising singer Robin ‘Shanie’ Campbell and Gianni Visnadi (Livin’Joy), this iconic duo brought a sparkle to the night in more ways than one. Shanie shone in a silver sequin top, resembling a human disco ball, while Gianni matched her energy in a shiny blue shirt. Sunglasses firmly in place, Shanie’s powerhouse vocals and vibrant stage presence had the crowd in the palm of her hand, while Gianni pumped the crowd up getting arms in the air!
Their setlist was a perfect showcase of their 90s hits, including Don’t Give Me Your Life, Wrap Me Up, Read My Lips, and Simple Things. Shanie’s interaction with the crowd was infectious, encouraging everyone to sing and dance along to the tracks that once dominated club playlists. Alex Party didn’t just perform – they ignited the room, leaving the crowd buzzing for what was to come.
DJ Sash!
By the time Sash! took to the stage the elevated balconies and dancefloor were packed with excited fans. For one magic night, Metro City was transformed into the ultimate 90’s disco playground. Sash! the Eurodance legend whose name is synonymous with anthems that defined an era. With over 22 million records sold worldwide, Sash is one of dance music’s greats. His set featured unforgettable classics like Encore Une Fois, Ecuador, La Primavera, and, of course, Adelante. Each track was a reminder of why Sash remains an enduring force in the genre.
His energy on stage was undeniable and watching him share moments with Nick Skitz before and after his set only amplified the magic of the night for true OG dance music fans. There was an unmistakable camaraderie between the two, a mutual respect that highlighted their shared contributions to dance music history. Sash’s ability to command the crowd after all these years proved he’s still a master of his craft.
With Nick Skitz tying the night together, appearing between sets and delivering an opening and closing performance that encapsulated his legacy, 90’s Mania felt like a celebration of dance music’s golden era. The night wasn’t over yet, it was time for the Vengaboys to take over the stage, as the crowd was hyped on a wave of pure 90’s euphoria.
The Vengaboys
The entrance was dramatic. As the lights dimmed into darkness, the crowd’s growing anticipation became palpable. Whistles, screams and glowsticks personified the party of the high school and uni realm, 90’s style. The video introduction featured a phallus shaped rocket soaring through space. It then transitioned to the iconic yellow ‘Vengabus’ journeying to Earth, ultimately landing in a bustling urban landscape. The voiceover read:
It is happening, country by country…party by party NOW and here for YOU.
Are YOU ready to Jump up and down…wanna BOOM BOOM BOOM
Do you like to party …the worldwide phenomenon…Europe’s number one party act.
Make some Noise for Vengaboys.
The fans obeyed.
Australia…is so good to be back! said Robin Pors, still excited after a quarter of a century of partying.
The triple foreplay was over for the day, and the fans were in their sixth gear of euphoria, with screaming decibels reaching maniacal levels. The benchmark was set and the point of no return was reached, catalysed by the biggest party anthem with snipets of boom-boom and bass propagating across the floor.
The fans were ready. The Vengaboys took us to party central. “We’re Going to Ibiza!” After more than 25 years since their first visit in 1999, fans relived the catchy, upbeat melody— the quintessential Eurodance track filled with more cheese than a mouse’s paradise. It was the perfect start to a night of revelry, embodying escapism, with fans reminiscing about the era during the dawn of the internet. But tonight, MetroCity Perth hosted the biggest party by the biggest European party band.
The human motion and emotion of the Vengaboys were continuously playful on stage, without a distinctive break. For baby boomers – think of Village People – the marching footsteps emulating the spiritual outpouring of the happy kind, the playful circular motion seen in musical chairs without the chairs, and the dance that kept on dancing.
Robin Pors in the sailor-themed costume was also the informal MC of the band, continuously engaging with the crowd in between songs like an announcer whose job is to rev the crowd. But it wasn’t necessary as one hit after another followed, with Up and Down being the next worldwide banger on the setlist. The physical emotion of the track resonated with the spirit of the revelers on the slippery floor. The younger versions of themselves were on full display, hands waving side to side and jumping like Cris Cross when they were told to do so.
With track titles such as Rocket to Uranus, it was bound to be a night of shenanigans and frivolity. In the spirit of the 90’s dance, some of the biggest bangers were also dedicated, such as Who Let the Dogs Out. Fans welcomed a series of medleys, including the Latin chapter featuring Macarena, Ricky Martin’s Maria, Hot Hot Hot, and JLo’s Let Get Loud. That was part one of the medley run.
The medley of remixes then evolved into rock classics such as KISS’s I Was Made For Loving You, I Love Rock And Roll, We Will Rock You, 4 Non Blonde’s What’s Up, and Livin’ On A Prayer. The medleys were unexpected, and elevated the mood to overdrive, with the euphoria reaching critical mass.
By the hour mark, the sound of horns echoed across the Metros City, before heading into the anthem – We Like To Party. The Vengabus were about to take us deep into the origins of the 90’s euro dance mania. The most memorable tracks in their discography are repetitive, and perhaps that’s the formula to their success in the charts as the fans chanted the words of the chorus.
Throughout the night, they performed with a cheery mood, smiles eliciting across their glowing faces. My Heart Will Go On made a cameo, before finishing with Boom! Boom! Boom! boosting a trail of sexual personification that lingered in the air like it had in the 90’s.
The encore was an unexpected repeat of We Like To Party – not that anyone was complaining. Just like Australia’s Wonderland of the late 80’s, the Vengaboys are simply “too much fun”.
The Dutch foursome have sold over 25 million records. With plenty of 20-something revellers tonight, the sweet summer infectious beats of the pre-millennium era will linger in the world’s nightclubs and festivals for another 25 years.
Vengaboys 90’s Mania – Live In Concert continues across Australia and New Zealand. Tickets and info from Frontier Touring.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Frontier Touring and Vengaboys for the invite.
About the Writer (Nick Skitz, Alex Party, Sash!) : Krystal Galloway lives and breathes music, finding her happy place in the sea of fans who come together to experience the magic of live performances. After attending her first concert—Justin Timberlake—her enthusiasm turned into a lifelong hobby. She has since seen over 100 of her favorite acts, including global superstars like KISS, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Usher, Nelly, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, along with Australian favorites like The Screaming Jets, The Angels, Birds of Tokyo, Cold Chisel, and Bliss & Eso—just to name a few—all in her home city of Western Australia. With this extensive concert experience, Krystal has developed a deep appreciation for the artistry behind live performances, gaining a unique perspective on the dedication and energy that goes into every show.
About the Writer (Vengaboys) /Photographer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 150 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and Robbie Williams with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro (pictured below), Ian Moss, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
