(seen on 23rd June 2024)
Back when “casting by television” was new, there was “Popstars” – an Australian import which created the rather good “Bardot” down under. We got the equally interesting “Hear’Say” from the first British attempt.
A second bash twisted the format to pit boys against girls in “Popstars – The Rivals.” From the moment the final five on each team sang their first single, it was no contest. “Sound of the Underground” was instantly catchy, its singers equally memorable. “One True Voice” turned out to be a false whisper, “Girls Aloud” still sell out tours to this day.
To get the deepest sadness out of the way first. Of course, Sarah Harding is no longer with us. Taken far, far too soon by cancer, she would have appreciated the sentiment behind the many audience tears shed, but also no doubt have wanted all present to enjoy life to the full each night, just as she would have.
The tributes to her were frequent and moving, most of all her bandmates promising “I’ll Stand By You” as her they, and indeed the audience, duetted with her vocal track as fabulous memories unfolded on the big screens behind.
Her fellow group members Cheryl, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh went on to ‘do her proud’ in an eye-poppingly spectacular 90-minute ride through their extensive catalogue.
Literally riding for “Wake Me Up” – no chance to sleep as the motorbike seated quartet took off from the main stage over the heads of the standing zone to land on the extended stage right in front of the monkey.
The surprises had already been hinted at with the flying saucer opening “Untouchable” – each singer on her own plinth, fantastically long skirts to the floor far below. The programme credit is for “styling & glam” – summing Victoria Adcock and team’s work up perfectly.
Back on stage, “The Show” and “Something New” gave the ten male backing dancers a chance to strut, one later producing breakdancing to vigorous applause. Elizabeth Honan and Jeanette Gonzalez’s choreographic invention never failing to impress.
“Love Machine” fed our fantasies for free, with “Can’t Speak French” (a number the monkey had entirely forgotten) then proving both cheeky and fun.
That ramped up as the band shared a moment of “Biology” – yes, we did know the lyric and belted it out on cue.
After flying, the real showstopper of the night had to be the classic “Sound of the Underground.” When front row and performers are sharing dance moves and belting it out simultaneously, there is no mixed-up sign. The water was flowing in the right direction.
Sensibly cooling, “Girl Overboard” and the reflective yet full of attitude “No Good Advice” show the team can do depth as well as darn good rocking out.
A neat “Graffiti My Soul” before the entirely appropriate “Long Hot Summer.” Approaching 70 degrees outside, this performance was even warmer and more fun.
After the tribute to Sarah Harding, the totally appropriate “Sexy! No, No, No...” built to a frenzy she would have loved.
“On The Metro” but not yet time to think about doing so, as the whole audience was ready to go “Jump (For My Love)" on command. They were certainly the people to “Call the Shots” as we were made to wait after that for the closing numbers.
“Something Kinda Ooooh” was more than memorable before the encore, “The Promise” (watch a clip of it here on the monkey’s Youtube channel).
Each band member brings something special. Cheryl has a confident strut and a grin that spoke volumes about how much she is enjoying herself. Nicola's warm air, most often of the four to spot and greet fans as she sang. Kimberley has a poise and smoothness, while Nadine’s heavy lifting of vocals never fails to hit the mark.
Dancing up a glow on the main stage and three runways, pretty much equalling Madonna’s show last year in visuals; it certainly matched vocally and in popularity of the songs chosen.
In spirit a show far warmer and more inclusive than many concerts, the ladies enjoying interacting with fans as much as giving the performances of their careers.
Slick, professional (and without the bitching of the “Spice Girls” Wembley Stadium outing); because their hearts said so, we got to see the show... and we love them now all the more for it.
Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another decade before the next one.
5 stars. (Sarah’s shining brightest).