Girls Aloud reveal details of 'enormous, magical' reunion tour
During the summer, Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, Nicola Roberts, and Nadine Coyle began organizing the tour.
The band Girls Aloud recently revealed that they will be embarking on a major reunion tour in 2024, ending their 11-year hiatus.
Cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine, and Nicola are going to start touring in May and play their famous songs as well as some of their own choices, they informed BBC News.
The performances will be a tribute to their ex-band member, Sarah Harding, who passed away due to cancer in 2021.
"We will make every possible effort to celebrate her in a grand, enchanting manner," states Nicola Roberts.
Kimberley Walsh states that it would seem as if the person in question is present with us. This is because their presence was strongly felt during their performances. Their time on stage gave them the greatest sense of joy and fulfillment.
According to their statement, the band refutes the tabloid rumors that they have produced a fresh album and shot a music video.
According to Nadine Coyle, there is not any fresh music or video available. However, she has mentioned that a commercial has been filmed.
Cheryl verifies that creating fresh music without Sarah would be strange, but commemorating the music they produced together is fantastic.
It has been 21 years since Girls Aloud were created via Popstars: The Rivals, a reality TV program. The program's setup entailed having them compete against a male group called One True Voice, as both the acts tried to secure the Christmas number one spot.
Everyone was watching the boys closely, however Girls Aloud amazed them with their unique and fast-paced drum-and-bass song Sound of the Underground.
They continued producing successful music with 20 additional top 10 hits, comprising of three more chart-toppers and the award-winning tune, The Promise.
Source of picture, Getty Images The picture was taken by Getty Images.
The musical group was selected as a nominee in five categories of Brit Awards, managing to secure a victory in one category, i.e. the best single award, for their song The Promise.
During a time when popular music became formulaic, they stood out with their unique sound. Their music was bold, rebellious, and went against the norm. Their songs, ranging from the rebellious No Good Advice to the poignant and beautiful Call The Shots, were anything but dull.
Their initial separation occurred in 2009 after their performance at Wembley Stadium alongside Coldplay. However, they were later reconnected in order to create new music and celebrate their 10th anniversary with a tour during 2012-2013.
Another gathering had been organized to commemorate their 20th-year milestone, however, the plan was derailed because Sarah received a diagnosis of breast cancer.
'We Face Challenges'
Nicola expressed her dismay over the situation, saying that it's truly unpleasant. She added that it's quite challenging to articulate their emotions given the circumstances. Moreover, putting together a show with only four members instead of the original five is going to be a difficult task for them.
Cheryl states that they were not able to do anything without her before, but currently, they feel emotionally strong enough to move forward.
Kimberley stated: "During a time of sorrow, there comes a change where you become willing to commemorate that individual."
It is still uncertain how they will adjust the songs for a group of four people. Nadine has proposed that some of Sarah's initial solo vocals will be included in the performance.
According to her, there are numerous things that are uniquely associated with Sarah and must retain her personal essence.
We won't interfere with that. I have no intention of seizing control of Sarah's significant contributions. Girls Aloud owes its success to Sarah and her valuable contributions.
The photo credit goes to PA Media. Using alternative vocabulary: The image attribution is attributed to PA Media.
According to Nicola, Sarah Harding was full of energy and excitement, like a colorful explosion in the sky. She acted as a spirited motivator for the band.
Everything will become clear once the tour commences in Dublin on the 18th of May.
There are presently fifteen scheduled dates in various cities including Belfast, Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham, London, and Liverpool.
"We're hitting the road again. Isn't that thrilling?" Kimberley chuckles.
I visited Girls Aloud at their manager's home in a London suburb. When I got there, all four band members were chatting in the kitchen while making tea. A small terrier was also present, running around and searching for snacks.
The sight is unexpectedly homey considering the band's reputation for rebelliousness and raucous partying during their youth.
However, time keeps moving forward: Kimberley and Cheryl have recently entered their fourth decade, while three members of the group have young kids. Additionally, there is discussion surrounding whether certain lyrics in their music hold up under the scrutiny of contemporary society in 2024.
Nadine is pondering if she would continue singing about "putting on your girlfriend's pants" in the popular song Miss You Bow Wow, which is loved by fans.
The chorus of Wake Me Up elicits a sudden gasp as it goes, "You demonstrate your affections by treating me harshly, and I simply cannot decline."
Nadine expressed her desire to hit someone in the face with a karate chop, saying that she strongly disagreed with something.
"However, these behaviors are still present in society," Cheryl states. "Some individuals believe in treating others harshly to maintain their interest, as well as abruptly ending communication without explanation. The meaning behind the lyric can vary depending on personal viewpoints."
"That's not the same. It relies on how you look at it," Nadine admits.
The photo is from Getty Images.
The last show that the band performed together with all five members was in the year 2013.
They start to recall the process of creating the music, guided by the "crazy professor" Brian Higgins and songwriter Miranda Cooper at a rural estate that also served as a top-producing factory in Kent.
Their method was different and rigorous. Instead of composing songs, they assembled them like intricate puzzles.
The start of the tune Biology has a bluesy feel that begins in Chicago, but then it transforms into a series of Euro-trance verses that build up to a big finale. Then suddenly, a lively cheerleading chorus kicks in, but then the song unexpectedly shifts back to its initial blues riff.
Nicola clarifies that Brian used to collect bits and pieces from almost five or six distinct tracks.
We had three verses for a backing track, four bridges for another tune, and five different choruses. And after that, we sang all of them in four or five unique keys and Brian would bring all of it into one cohesive piece.
Cheryl stated that there were no regulations or guidelines to follow.
Oh, and just in case you didn't know, Beyoncé also does this. She picks out different elements from various tracks and combines them like pieces of clothing.
Kimberley shares that when the CD was received, they had a humorous conversation amongst themselves. They inquired about who had sung specific parts and discussed the removal of particular verses.
Nadine points out that there are some songs that she remembers clearly but were never released. She even sings a part of one of the songs, Wake Me Up, saying "What's been going on? Easy tiger."
Cheryl recommends adding those absent parts to their fresh live act, but quickly retracts her suggestion.
I believe certain individuals would become angry if they were unable to listen to their preferred sections.
In 2012, Girls Aloud visited the BBC's Maida Vale studios.
According to her statement, the choice to go on a tour was made quite recently and came as a surprise.
Kimberley, who has built a successful profession as a daytime TV host, rejected the proposal just last year. However, her opinion changed after performing with Nicola and Olly Alexander, who is part of the band Years and Years, at the Mighty Hoopla festival earlier this year.
"That experience acted as a trigger for me. I haven't been in that environment for a significant period, so standing up and performing alongside Nicola - while sensing the band's affection - was incredibly intense."
Among the group of four, Nadine appears to be the one who is most prepared for a match since she has just finished a series of solo performances. Cheryl will be starting her fitness training this month and aims to increase her physical endurance in the process. Kimberley and Nicola have decided to enroll in pilates classes and physiotherapy sessions that they attend three days a week.
It's understandable that they are scared of performing in high heels.
Kimberley chuckled as she recalled making a remark about her feet during the advertising shoot and the choreographer swiftly advised her to refrain from dwelling on it.
I said, "Is it possible for us to explore different boot choices?"
No matter what occurs regarding shoes, admirers will greet them warmly upon their return.
Even though the Sun newspaper tried to ruin the band's surprise recently, they felt encouraged by the response from their fans.
Nicola expressed that they received a lot of positive feedback from it.
It is yet another confirmation that we have been receiving ample love and support since Sarah's passing. It has been heartwarming to know that people are still thinking of us and that the music still lives on.
However, there could be some spectators in the audience who are not easily satisfied - their kids.
Bear didn't seem to enjoy watching old concert DVDs shown to him by Cheryl.
She chuckles as she recounts, "He asked me, 'You appear dissimilar, your voice seems altered, this is peculiar. Why are you unclothed? What happened to your voice?'"
Nadine's daughter Anaíya had the same attitude. She didn't enjoy the Girls Aloud songs much as she thought Nadine didn't smile enough which made her unrecognizable to Anaíya.
According to Kimberley, who is a mother of three boys, some people believe that one should not have been born before their time.
My friends are beginning to show an interest. They have heard remarks concerning Girls Aloud and are curious about what all the commotion is about.
"It might feel peculiar for them as we will be engaging in an activity that is not our usual routine. Typically, we only have casual get-togethers in one another's homes."
"According to Nicola," she says, "it will seem as though the mothers have transformed into superheroes."
The picture originated from Getty Images.
The Show remains unseen until one's heart gives permission.
The tour dates for the Girls Aloud Show in 2024 are as follows:
The pre-sale for this event will commence on Wednesday, the 29th of November at 09:00 in Greenwich Mean Time. The standard sale will begin at the same time on Friday, the 1st of December.
