Girls Aloud, a standout in its category of pop bands, was born out of Popstars: The Rivals, a precursor to The X Factor. Their debut track, Sound of the Underground, is still considered an evergreen classic, indicative of the Xenomania era responsible for hits like Cher’s Believe and Sugababes’ Round Round. Their music has persisted, as have their albums which have resonated throughout their evolution, with no signs of weakening.
Their final studio album, Out of Control, released in 2008, forms the crux of the spectacular show by Cheryl, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, and Kimberley Walsh. This 30-date reunion tour, The Girls Aloud Show, embarks in Dublin, paying respect to their late bandmate Sarah Harding, who passed away at 39 from breast cancer in 2021. That very day, a 38-minute compilation of their melodies was unveiled.
Their discography, boasting credibility, continues to stand tall. The high-paced hits like Love Machine, famously covered by Arctic Monkeys, and Sound of the Underground, celebrated for its iconic mic choreography, are part of their concert package. The lineup also includes Something Kinda Oooh, Call the Shots, No Good Advice, The Show, and The Promise. For fans crowded within this massive dockland hall, it couldn’t get any better.
While an exciting night to party, the concert isn’t just about the celebration. The inaugural act, Untouchable, is a homage to Harding, with visuals of her displayed against the poignant backdrop of her four peers, elegantly dressed in white, on raised platforms.
Whilst there’s an undeniable element of fond reflection and amusement, this is undeniably a tribute, too. A note of seriousness pervades the stage, a traditional high-gloss black catwalk that you’d expect from a conventional pop concert. The remainder of the performance space is dominated by a pair of substantial backdrop screens, split by a minimalist set of lights, and accompanied by two smaller screens on each side. Deliberate understatement might explain the relative simplicity, perhaps as a hesitation towards grandiose displays. However, there’s also a hint of Las Vegas embedded throughout, alongside a pleasing and decidedly vintage emphasis on the vocal performances of the group, always taking centre stage, and knocked off skilfully every time.
As the deafening screams from legions of fans, transported back to an era when WAGs, statement handbags, and celebrity gossip magazines were driving popular culture, fill the venue, the group’s latest endeavour carries unmistakable depth and guileless sincerity to it. As Cheryl comments, “It’s hard to believe we’re actually here tonight.”
The show continues to gather momentum, with the production and the performances gaining in self-assurance. Their rendition of The Pretenders’ hit ‘I’ll Stand By You’, layered with melancholy as their deceased member Harding appears in graphics, serves as a suitable homage to both the song and their lost friend.
A trip down memory lane, an opportunity to relive some of the finest pop classics of the turn of the millennium, or a full-blown dance fiesta; this tour could have been labelled as any of these. Instead, it’s all that and more; a heartfelt tribute to their missed bandmate. In the end, the choice to prioritise remembering over commercialisation reflects an unexpected genuineness.