Girls Aloud...the greatest girl group ever? Let me think about it. I've thought about it...yes!
Everyone knows the story. A boy band and girl group were formed for the X-Factor precursor show Pop Stars: the Rivals, where the girls were to battle the boys to see who was the best. To say the least, it wasn't the most promising ground for great music to spring from. The result - the boys knocked out a typically wimpy effort and the girls absolutely smashed them with a tune entitled 'Sound of the Underground'. And it was absolutely brilliant. I remember at the time thinking it was awesome that such a top tune should originate from such an unpromising place as a TV talent show - it was just so unexpected that it deserved love on that basis alone. But I am also pretty sure I assumed that one hit would be it. So you can imagine my glorious surprise when they returned a couple of months later with 'No Good Advice'? With that equally awesome release I think it began to truly dawn on people that this group really could possibly be something special. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history, with Girls Aloud releasing an unprecedented series of absolute bangers throughout the rest of the 2000's. Okay, the ballads may not have been up to much but when they increased the tempo, with the innovative production team Xenomania behind them, the resultant tunes were simply top tier. If anyone was to tell you they didn't like anything in Girls Aloud arsenal of dance-pop anthems then they had to be either (a) a music snob or (b) hopelessly cloth-eared.
This concert film is especially interesting for Girls Aloud fans, as it showcases them on their first tour. They were hitting the large theatres at this stage, as opposed to the later multiple arena dates they were to soon move onto. The thing that struck me was just how assured they were on this first full live show - there's great vocals, stage presence and charisma throughout this. The songs are taken from the first couple of albums, so we are treated to quite a number of deep cuts which wouldn't be played live again, while there's a couple of very fun covers of Duran Duran and Wheatus. There's also no getting away from the fact its all very sexy too, with these five beautiful girls all sporting a series of banging outfits, while busting their moves - its ultra-toned midriffs and expensive haircuts all the way here! I reckon in this crowd, there must have been several dads who bravely and selflessly 'volunteered' to take their daughters to this show! I, for one, enjoyed literally everything about this and would consider it essential viewing if you are a fan of Girls Aloud. Cheryl, Nadine, Sarah, Nicola and Kimberley...I salute you.
Everyone knows the story. A boy band and girl group were formed for the X-Factor precursor show Pop Stars: the Rivals, where the girls were to battle the boys to see who was the best. To say the least, it wasn't the most promising ground for great music to spring from. The result - the boys knocked out a typically wimpy effort and the girls absolutely smashed them with a tune entitled 'Sound of the Underground'. And it was absolutely brilliant. I remember at the time thinking it was awesome that such a top tune should originate from such an unpromising place as a TV talent show - it was just so unexpected that it deserved love on that basis alone. But I am also pretty sure I assumed that one hit would be it. So you can imagine my glorious surprise when they returned a couple of months later with 'No Good Advice'? With that equally awesome release I think it began to truly dawn on people that this group really could possibly be something special. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history, with Girls Aloud releasing an unprecedented series of absolute bangers throughout the rest of the 2000's. Okay, the ballads may not have been up to much but when they increased the tempo, with the innovative production team Xenomania behind them, the resultant tunes were simply top tier. If anyone was to tell you they didn't like anything in Girls Aloud arsenal of dance-pop anthems then they had to be either (a) a music snob or (b) hopelessly cloth-eared.
This concert film is especially interesting for Girls Aloud fans, as it showcases them on their first tour. They were hitting the large theatres at this stage, as opposed to the later multiple arena dates they were to soon move onto. The thing that struck me was just how assured they were on this first full live show - there's great vocals, stage presence and charisma throughout this. The songs are taken from the first couple of albums, so we are treated to quite a number of deep cuts which wouldn't be played live again, while there's a couple of very fun covers of Duran Duran and Wheatus. There's also no getting away from the fact its all very sexy too, with these five beautiful girls all sporting a series of banging outfits, while busting their moves - its ultra-toned midriffs and expensive haircuts all the way here! I reckon in this crowd, there must have been several dads who bravely and selflessly 'volunteered' to take their daughters to this show! I, for one, enjoyed literally everything about this and would consider it essential viewing if you are a fan of Girls Aloud. Cheryl, Nadine, Sarah, Nicola and Kimberley...I salute you.