Girls Aloud review – a glorious pop institution still calling the shots
It's been eleven years since the last time Girls Aloud performed as a five-member group, but fans' love for them has only grown stronger with time, especially in the midst of the current wave of nostalgia for the 00s. The group didn't just emerge from the TV talent competition, Popstars: the Returns, but went on to land an impressive streak of 20 consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK, four of which were number ones. Besides their impressive vocal range and bubbly, occasionally rambunctious personalities, their success was partly due to their collaborations with Xenomania, the production team that transformed the 60s girl group aesthetic and kitsch into modern-day, cutting-edge sounds.
One of the five members, the lively Sarah Harding, passed away at the age of 39 in September 2021 due to breast cancer complications. The group was deeply saddened by the loss of their bandmate and close companion, and as a result, plans to celebrate Girls Aloud's 20th anniversary were put on hold.
The Girls Aloud Show is a 30-date arena tour that focuses on celebrating rather than mourning. The audience is filled with enthusiastic fans decked out in glittery clothing, and parents are even dancing alongside their kids who have grown up listening to Girls Aloud. The four band members, Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberly Walsh and Nicola Roberts, finally take the stage to the delight of the crowd. Nicola starts off the performance with "Untouchable," a popular track from their last album named Out of Control, which was released back in 2008.
The show started off unexpectedly with their single that didn't make it to the Top 10 in the UK. It became clear that they were dedicating this performance to Sarah Harding as her visuals appeared on big screens in the arena. The group's grief made certain songs, including the one featuring the lyrics "I need you here again to show me how," even more meaningful. The crowd's enthusiasm escalated when The Show started playing, and the quartet descended to the stage for a lively routine. Despite some first-night vocal apprehension from each member, the first act was impressive and included thrilling renditions of Something New, Love Machine, Can’t Speak French, and Biology.
The initial jitters quickly fade away as Roberts impresses with his solo performances, while Coyle's solos have a more theatrical flair. Walsh and Tweedy also shine while taking center stage, but the group truly excels when they collaborate and produce irresistible harmonies in their choruses. Additionally, Tweedy engages in playful banter, cautioning fans in the front row that they might have to catch her if she happens to fall off the stage, while Walsh expresses sincere gratitude towards the Irish audience. The debut show is off to a successful start.
Harding's presence is still felt through large digital screens that feature their music videos like scrapbooks. During their performance of "Whole Lotta History," Roberts shares with the audience that when they first recorded the song in 2005, they had no idea how significant it would become in their journey. As the song comes to a close, there's a montage of Harding playing while the four members face her, give her a hug, and then leave for a costume change. The tribute ends with a touching message that reads, "From the darkest moments come the brightest stars."
As they make a comeback, there's a comedic moment when they seem to be floating in mid-air while riding motorcycles (which was just one of the several inspired moments in the tour's creative direction) for their song "Wake Me Up". They land safely and continue performing their electrifying first-ever single, "Sound Of The Underground", flawlessly executing the mic-stand choreography to the overwhelming cheers of the crowd.
There is a constant atmosphere of ecstatic cheering, which reaches its peak during a singalong to the song "I'll Stand By You" and a confetti shower for the song "Jump". However, the most enthusiastic response is reserved for the encore performance of "The Promise", a song that shines brightly and, much like the determined and heartfelt group who sings it, has never lost its brilliance.
