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V (group)
V (group)
V (group)
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V are a British five-piece boy band made up of Antony Brant, Aaron Buckingham, Mark Harle, Kevin McDaid and Leon Pisani.[1] Founded in 2003, they disbanded after two years, in 2005. They reunited in 2023 without Mark Harle.[2]

Key Information

Career

[edit]

V were formed in 2003 after a series of auditions by Prestige, the same management team behind Busted.[3] Group member Antony Brant came up with the band name "V" because V is the Roman numeral for five and there were five members in the band. V made their debut at the same time as McFly by supporting Busted's arena tour in the spring of 2004.[4]

Their first single, "Blood, Sweat and Tears", was released in May 2004 and went into the UK Singles Chart at number 6.[5] The music video was shot in Miami, Florida in February 2004 and the single contained a collaboration with McFly, called "Chills in the Evening" written by Tom Fletcher from McFly and James Bourne from Busted.[6] The band's second single, released in August 2004, was a double A-side and consisted of a new song "Hip to Hip" and a cover of the Jacksons' song "Can You Feel It". The music video showed the group dressed up in day-to-day jobs like an ice cream man and milkman.[7] It charted at number 5 in the UK Singles Chart.

The third single, "You Stood Up", reached number 12 after an appearance on Top of the Pops, but their debut album of the same name only made number 86 on the UK Albums Chart. In March 2005, V announced on their website their decision to split up, stating "it just hasn't happened for us as big as we would have liked".[8] They reunited in 2023 without Mark Harle to record new music and perform shows in the UK.[9][10]

After break-up

[edit]
  • Mark Harle was a drummer for indie band Little Comets between 2008 and 2011.
  • Kevin McDaid became a professional photographer, including photographing the covers for the Westlife albums Where We Are and Gravity[11]
  • Aaron Buckingham moved into A&R work, including managing the band Lawson[12]
  • Antony Brant remained friends with the members of McFly, and toured with the band alongside James Bourne and the Vamps in the spring of 2013 as a compere to their Memory Lane tour[13]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

Title Details Peak
position
UK
[14]
You Stood Up 86

Singles

Year Single Peak chart
positions 		Album
UK
[14] 		IRE
[15]
2004 "Blood, Sweat and Tears" 6 30 You Stood Up
"Hip to Hip"/"Can You Feel It" 5 29
"You Stood Up" 12 35

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

V (group)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
V is a British formed in 2003, consisting originally of five members who achieved moderate success in the UK and pop scene with upbeat singles before disbanding in March 2005, and later reunited in 2023 as a and performed at the Mighty festival in 2024. The group was assembled through auditions organized by Prestige, a talent agency, and signed to , part of Universal Music. Their debut single, "Blood, Sweat and Tears", released in June 2004, peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and number 30 in Ireland, marking a promising start with its energetic pop production and music video featuring the band in stylized performance scenes. This was followed by the double A-side "Hip to Hip" / "Can You Feel It" in August 2004, a cover of the Jacksons' classic paired with an original track, which reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and number 29 in Ireland, and showcased their harmonious vocals and dance routines. The third single, "You Stood Up", entered the charts at number 12 in the UK and number 35 in Ireland in November 2004, promoting their sole album of the same name, which debuted at number 86 on the despite featuring catchy tracks like "" and "Eighteen". After releasing their album You Stood Up in November 2004, V appeared on television programs such as Top of the Pops to promote their music, but limited commercial success led to their disbandment in March 2005, with members pursuing solo endeavors in music, acting, and other fields. In 2023, the band—now comprising Antony Brant, Aaron Buckingham, Kevin McDaid, and Leon Pisani, without original member Mark Harle—reformed after nearly two decades, teasing new music in 2024 and culminating in their first live show since 2005 at the Mighty Hoopla festival in London's Brockwell Park on June 2, 2024, where they performed hits including "Blood, Sweat and Tears" and "Hip to Hip" to an enthusiastic crowd. This nostalgic appearance highlighted the enduring appeal of early 2000s boy band pop amid a wave of reunions in the genre.

History

Formation

V was officially formed in 2003 through a series of auditions organized by Prestige Management, the London-based company that had previously assembled the successful Busted. The auditions, modeled after those used for Busted, sought young talents capable of performing pop-oriented material with an emphasis on harmonies and stage presence, attracting aspiring musicians from across the . From these auditions, Prestige selected five members: Antony Brant from , Aaron Buckingham from , Mark Harle from Chapeltown, from , and Leon Pisani from , all aged between 18 and 21 at the time. Brant, who served as the lead singer, proposed the group's name "V," drawing from the Roman numeral for five to represent the quintet. Under Prestige's guidance, the newly formed group underwent an intensive training period, recording approximately 70 songs to refine their sound and develop cohesion as a unit, laying the groundwork for their pop style influenced by contemporary trends. This early phase emphasized building performance skills and group dynamics, with the management leveraging their experience from to position V for a major label debut.

Debut and commercial breakthrough

V entered the music industry in 2004 with their debut single "Blood, Sweat and Tears," released in May, which peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and number 30 on the . The track's B-side featured a with members and on "Chills in the Evening," a written by Fletcher and Busted's , highlighting early cross-band ties in the UK pop scene. To promote the single, V served as the opening act for Busted's arena tour in spring 2004, alongside McFly, which significantly increased their visibility among audiences. Building on this momentum, V released their follow-up double A-side single "Hip to Hip"/"Can You Feel It" in August 2004, which achieved a peak of number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and number 29 in Ireland. The release included media appearances that further solidified their presence, contributing to their growing fanbase during the summer pop circuit. The band's third single, "You Stood Up," arrived in November 2004, reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number 35 in Ireland, following a performance on . All three singles entered the UK top 12, marking V's commercial peak in 2004. Their debut album, You Stood Up, was also released that November and peaked at number 86 on the .

Hiatus and initial disbandment

Following the release of their debut album You Stood Up in November 2004, which peaked at number 86 on the UK Albums Chart despite promotional appearances on shows like Top of the Pops, V faced diminishing commercial momentum. Their earlier singles from 2004, such as "Blood, Sweat & Tears" and "Hip to Hip," had achieved moderate success, but the group struggled to maintain chart presence into 2005, with no further releases sustaining public interest. This lack of sustained performance contributed to internal discussions about the band's viability in a shifting pop landscape dominated by solo artists and girl groups. In February 2005, V announced their decision to disband via an official statement on their , citing that "it just hasn't happened for us as big as we would have liked" after nearly two years together. The group expressed gratitude to fans for their support during promotional efforts, including live performances and media engagements tied to the album, but emphasized that the music industry at the time was not receptive to an " boyband" in their style. This announcement marked the end of their initial run, with the official disbandment occurring in March 2005, less than two years after formation. Media coverage of the breakup was relatively subdued, focusing on the group's brief career and unfulfilled potential, with outlets like The Sun highlighting the split as a reflection of broader challenges for boy bands in the mid-2000s. In their farewell message, V assured supporters they would pursue individual career paths, though specifics were not detailed at the time. The disbandment allowed members to transition to solo endeavors, setting the stage for later personal projects outside the group context.

Reunion and recent activities

In 2023, V announced their reunion as a four-piece group, excluding original member Mark Harle, with Antony Brant, Aaron Buckingham, , and Leon Pisani coming together to mark the 20th anniversary of their formation. The decision was driven by nostalgia for their early success and opportunities for festival performances, reflecting a desire to reconnect with fans after nearly two decades apart. The reunited lineup made their first live appearance in 20 years at the Mighty Hoopla festival in on June 2, 2024, where they performed classic hits such as "Blood, Sweat and Tears" and "Hip to Hip," along with a cover of The Jacksons' "Can You Feel It." Following the show, the band launched an official account (@theboybandv) and teased potential new music recordings and a tour, generating excitement among fans for further group endeavors. However, activity remained limited, and the group disbanded again just months after the festival performance, with no new releases or tours materializing. As of 2025, V has no scheduled performances or projects under group management, and members have shifted focus to individual pursuits, such as songwriting and business ventures, while maintaining personal friendships evident in shared social media posts. The band is no longer affiliated with a major label like their original Universal Records deal, operating independently during the brief revival.

Members

Current members

The current lineup of V consists of Antony Brant, Aaron Buckingham, , and Leon Pisani, who reunited in 2023 without former member Mark Harle to revive the group's activities. All four members primarily contribute as vocalists, with the band known for its harmonious pop sound during their original run and emphasizing vocal performances in their post-reunion shows. Their reunion has included live performances, such as their first concert in 20 years in June 2024, and hints at new music and touring plans. Antony Brant serves as the lead vocalist and is credited with naming the group "V," drawing from the Roman numeral for five to reflect the original . Born on January 18, 1983, in , , Brant has maintained a strong connection to the music industry post-2005 disbandment, including co-writing McFly's hit "Love Is Easy" and acting as the for their 2013 Memory Lane Tour, where he introduced performances and engaged with audiences. In the context of V's revival, Brant's vocal leadership has been central to their recent stage appearances, helping to recapture the group's energetic pop style. Aaron Buckingham, a key vocalist in V, has focused on behind-the-scenes roles in music since the band's initial split, working in A&R and artist management at Global Talent, where he launched and managed the pop-rock group Lawson. Born on July 7, 1983, in , , Buckingham's experience in talent development has informed V's reunion strategy, including potential new releases, while his vocal contributions remain prominent in live settings. He has also occasionally joined Lawson onstage for performances, showcasing his continued singing prowess. provides vocals and contributes to the band's visual identity as a professional photographer, a career he pursued after V's 2005 hiatus by shooting album artwork for , including their 2010 release . Born on March 7, 1984, in and raised in , Northeast , McDaid's dual expertise in music and photography has supported V's creative direction during the reunion, such as documenting recent group activities and enhancing promotional visuals. His involvement underscores the band's emphasis on polished alongside . Leon Pisani, another core vocalist, brings a consistent presence to V's performances, with his post-2005 career including a shift to a advisor role before recommitting to music with the 2023 reunion. Born on December 25, 1985, in , , Pisani's vocal style has been integral to the group's covers and originals, and his participation in recent events highlights his ongoing dedication to the band's revival without venturing into extensive solo pursuits.

Former members

Mark Harle was a vocalist and a founding member of the British V, joining in 2003 and remaining with the group until its disbandment in 2005. Born on , 1983, in , , as the band's member, he provided vocal support for their debut album You Stood Up (2004), which included hits like "Hip to Hip" and "," and participated in their promotional tours across the and during their rise to fame. Following V's initial split, Harle pursued his drumming interests, serving as the drummer for the band Little Comets from 2008 to 2011, contributing to their early recordings and live shows before departing to pursue other opportunities. Harle did not participate in V's 2023 reunion, which featured the other original members performing together for the first time in nearly two decades. No specific reasons for his non-involvement have been publicly stated.

Discography

Albums

V released their debut and only studio album, You Stood Up, on November 29, 2004, via Island Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. The album was recorded earlier that year in various studios across the UK and produced by a team that included Brian Higgins of the production collective Xenomania, alongside Stuart Crichton, Bill Padley, and Jem Godfrey. Under the guidance of Prestige Management—the same team behind the band Busted—the project aimed to capture the group's pop sensibilities with a mix of upbeat tracks and ballads. The album features 13 main tracks, blending pop, electronic, and rock elements, with key songs including the title track "You Stood Up," the lead single "Blood Sweat & Tears," and "Hip to Hip." Other notable inclusions are "Hold Me," a mid-tempo ballad, and "Chills in the Evening," which showcases the group's vocal harmonies. The standard track listing is as follows:
No.TitleWriters/ComposersLength
1Blood Sweat & TearsMiranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Felix Howard, Lisa Cowling3:34
2Hold MeVarious3:29
3You Stood UpFelix Howard, Peter John Vettese3:59
4Walk OnVarious3:38
5Stop the TearsSteve Anderson, Tim Woodcock3:36
6Hip to HipMiranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Xenomania3:32
7Can You Feel ItJackie Jackson, Michael Jackson3:38
8Chills in the EveningVarious4:11
9AngelVarious3:28
10BreakawayGeoffrey Williams, Rob Davis, Stuart Crichton4:21
11FoolsVarious3:40
12Earth, Wind & FireVarious3:23
13First TimeVarious3:49
Note: The UK CD edition includes a pregap track "You Got Me" (4:50) and a hidden track (approx. 5:00) after silences. Some editions include bonus tracks or hidden elements, but the core album emphasizes the band's early hits and B-sides. Commercially, You Stood Up debuted and peaked at number 86 on the , spending just one week in the top 200, reflecting the band's short-lived prominence amid a competitive pop market. As of 2025, following a brief reunion for promotional activities, V has not released any additional studio albums.

Singles

V's singles discography consists of three releases from 2004, all of which achieved commercial success in the UK and Ireland, reflecting the group's brief but impactful presence in the early 2000s pop scene. These tracks served as lead promotions for their debut album You Stood Up, emphasizing upbeat pop and R&B influences. No new singles have been released following the band's 2024 reunion tour, though future activity remains possible as of November 2025. The debut single, "Blood, Sweat and Tears," was released on May 24, 2004. It peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, spending 7 weeks in the Top 75, and reached number 30 on the . The track, produced by , featured an accompanying directed by Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini, showcasing the band in dynamic sequences and urban settings to highlight their synchronized . Promotion included live performances on UK television shows like CD:UK and , marking V's introduction to audiences. The included B-sides "Chills in the Evening" (featuring and of ) and "If That's the Way It Feels," adding collaborative appeal. In August 2004, V released the double A-side "Hip to Hip" / "Can You Feel It?" on August 9. "Hip to Hip," written and produced by , peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart with 8 weeks in the Top 75, while the cover of the Jacksons' classic reached number 29 on the . This release tied into V's role as for Busted's spring arena tour, providing high-visibility exposure alongside fellow support act and boosting their fanbase through shared performances at venues like the . The music video, also directed by Giwa and Pasquini, featured energetic group vocals and a emphasizing modern pop production. The CD format contained only the two A-sides, with no additional B-sides or remixes noted as particularly influential. The final single, "You Stood Up," arrived on November 29, 2004, serving as the album's title track and lead promotional release. It charted at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart for 4 weeks and number 35 on the . Produced by Mark Taylor, the ballad-style track was supported by a depicting emotional narratives and band camaraderie, directed by the same team as prior releases. Promotion focused on radio play and TV appearances, including Top of the Pops, amid the group's rising profile. The CD2 edition notably included solo versions by members Aaron Buckingham, Leon Pisani, and Mark Harle, offering unique fan-oriented remixes that highlighted individual vocals. All three singles entered the Top 12, demonstrating V's consistent chart performance and underscoring their short-lived success in the competitive market of the era, with combined Top 75 weeks totaling 19. This pattern of strong debuts without subsequent releases post-2004 aligns with the group's initial disbandment, though their 2024 reunion performances revisited these hits without new material.

References

  1. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12744689/Noughties-boyband-rumours-reunite-HUGE-hint-fans-wild.html
  2. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/26832646/v-leon-pisani-2024-now/
  3. https://rockshotmagazine.com/the-sunshine-returns-for-mighty-hoopla-2024-at-brockwell-park-day-2/
  4. https://www.shazam.com/artist/v/3544403
  5. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/v-00s-blood-sweat-and-tears/
  6. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/v-hip-to-hipcan-you-feel-it/
  7. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/v-you-stood-up/
  8. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/v-you-stood-up/
  9. https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/6990544.boy-thing/
  10. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/jul/23/popandrock
  11. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/24724969/boyband-v-tease-reunion/
  12. http://www.irish-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=V%2B%255BUK%255D&titel=Blood%2C%2BSweat%2BAnd%2BTears&cat=s
  13. https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/you-stood-up-mr0000381537
  14. https://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/teens/2004/03/busted_review.shtml
  15. http://www.irish-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=V%2B%255BUK%255D&titel=Hip%2BTo%2BHip&cat=s
  16. http://www.irish-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=V%2B%255BUK%255D&titel=You%2BStood%2BUp&cat=s
  17. http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlus172.pdf
  18. https://boybands.fandom.com/wiki/V
  19. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/noughties-boyband-look-completely-different-32430873
  20. http://web.archive.org/web/20050307224132/http://www.vofficial.com/news/?id=265
  21. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/34988859/noughties-boybander-kevin-mcdaid-v-job/
  22. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14195371/Noughties-boyband-stars-strip-Speedos-winter-break-reuniting-earlier-year-hinting-plans-new-music.html
  23. https://www.instagram.com/theboybandv/?hl=en
  24. https://www.theaudiodb.com/artist/155206-V
  25. https://www.mttm.uk/reviews/live-reviews/11052013-mcfly-civic-hall-wolverhampton/
  26. https://www.vice.com/en/article/have-we-witnessed-the-death-of-boybands/
  27. http://ddaniellooo.blogspot.com/2013/04/aaron-buckingham-v.html
  28. https://instinctmagazine.com/get-to-know-british-singer-and-fitness-coach-kevin-mcdaid/
  29. https://weareteamwestlife.wordpress.com/westlife-other-halves/kevin-mcdaid/
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBzzBqO7_tA
  31. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1600029/
  32. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/little-comets
  33. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Little-Comets/24810/
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/1624451-V-You-Stood-Up
  35. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/9596/v/
  36. https://www.instagram.com/theboybandv/
  37. http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=title&placement=Tears
  38. https://www.discogs.com/master/114190-V-Blood-Sweat-Tears
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtaBemDavyY
  40. http://irish-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=V%2B%255BUK%255D&titel=Hip%2BTo%2BHip&cat=s
  41. https://www.discogs.com/master/114187-V-Hip-To-Hip-Can-You-Feel-It
  42. https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/21984151.busted-v-good/
  43. https://acharts.co/ireland_singles_top_100/2004/47
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIxjpQUfSxU
  45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1i-HMxCcI
  46. https://www.discogs.com/release/2343131-V-You-Stood-Up
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