Girls Aloud returned to the stage for the first time in eleven years as their reunion tour kicked off in Dublin with a heartbreaking tribute to the late Sarah Harding.
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh formed the iconic girl band with Sarah until her tragic death from cancer in 2021.
But more than a decade after their last gig, Girls Aloud reunited at Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday for the first night of their comeback arena tour – which is dedicated to Sarah.
The girl group’s opening night saw their late bandmate take center stage with a rendition of ‘I’ll Stand By You’ set to a video of Sarah and her singing, leaving fans in tears.
The stars formed the iconic girl band in 2002 after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and reunited with new music for their 10th anniversary in 2012. A second reunion for their 20th anniversary was planned, but came to a halt when Sarah called her was diagnosed.
Girls Aloud returned to the stage for the first time in eleven years when their reunion tour kicked off in Dublin on Friday with a heartbreaking tribute to the late Sarah Harding
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh formed the iconic girl band with Sarah until her tragic death from cancer in 2021
But more than a decade after their last gig, Girls Aloud reunited at Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday for the first night of their comeback arena tour – which is dedicated to Sarah (pictured in 2017)
The new tour, which will visit major British cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool, is dedicated to Sarah.
Girls Aloud fans – those lucky enough to be at the Dublin show and those who admired it online – rushed to social media to share how moved they were by the tribute.
On X, formerly Twitter, they said: ‘This is what you call a tribute. Pulling out her demo vocals to showcase her incredible legacy is something only this band would do. Girls Aloud’s long reign! ,’;
“If you saw me crying in Cardiff at the Girls Aloud show, yes you did, because Sarah Harding was a legend. RIP Queen,’;
‘What a beautiful tribute to Sarah. Girls Out Loud truly breathtaking. Girls be proud! Sara will be. X,’;
‘Well, this just broke my heart’; “I’m honestly crying. We miss you Sara,’;
‘this moment will be the end of me, my goodness… SARAH FOREVER ,’;
‘Sarah tribute is so special, so nice to hear her voice during the tour’; “This is a wow moment.”
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Sarah Harding formed the iconic band in 2002 after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 (pictured)
The girl group’s opening night saw their late bandmate take center stage with a rendition of ‘I’ll Stand By You’ set to a video of Sarah and her singing, leaving fans in tears.
But more than a decade after their last gig, Girls Aloud reunited at the 3Arena in Dublin on Friday for the first night of their comeback arena tour.
Cheryl pictured at the concert in Dublin
Nadine, Nicola, Cheryl and Kimberley looked sensational as they took to the stage together in Dublin
Cheryl’s ensemble consisted of a flowy open-front skirt, which was pulled off to reveal a nude catsuit
Kimberley channeled her inner ’70s diva as she donned a white flared jumpsuit with jewels
Nadine and Kimberley saw a mid-performance on Friday
Nicola looked elegant in a sequined chiffon mini dress and ruffled skirt
Girls Aloud fans – those lucky enough to be at the Dublin show and those who admired it online – rushed to social media to share how moved they were by the tribute to Sarah
Charyl is pictured singing at Girls Aloud’s first show of the tour
Nadine, Nicola, Cheryl and Kimberley looked sensational as they took to the stage together in Dublin.
Kimberley channeled her inner ’70s diva as she donned a white, bejeweled, flared jumpsuit, while Nadine opted for a daring bling bodysuit, complete with a tulle train.
Meanwhile, Nicola looked elegant in a sequined chiffon mini dress with a ruffled skirt, and Cheryl’s ensemble featured a flowy skirt with an open front.
For another song, the girls changed their angelic looks and wore motorcycle gear as they approached motorcycles hanging in the air.
In another costume change, the stars wore black and red latex outfits while surrounded by their backup dancers.
But the tour got off to an unstable start as less than an hour before their expected arrival at Dublin’s 3Arena, the group issued an ‘updated stage time’ on X.
Due to ‘motorway closures in Dublin’ the foursome were expected to arrive 30 minutes later than expected, at 9.15pm.
In another costume change, the stars wore black and red latex outfits while surrounded by their backup dancers
Girls Aloud change into a different costume during their latex show
Cheryl is seen wearing a sheer black sequined catsuit during another costume change
For another song, the girls changed their angelic looks and wore black clothes
The singers headed toward motorcycles suspended in the air as part of another performance
After two consecutive opening nights at the 3Arena in Dublin, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Monday and Tuesday
Girls Aloud play the first date of their reunion tour in Dublin, Ireland
They will then go to the Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday
But the tour got off to an unstable start as less than an hour before their expected arrival at Dublin’s 3Arena, the group issued an ‘updated stage time’ on
Before the show, a post on the official Girls Aloud X account read: ‘Rehearsals? Finished. Choreography? Finished. Clothing? Mounted. Girls? Out loud.
“…We’ve worked so hard to make this show special for all of you.”
After two consecutive opening nights at the 3Arena in Dublin, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Monday and Tuesday.
They will then go to the Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday.
In November, the group had to add six extra dates to their 2024 arena tour of Britain and Ireland due to ‘unprecedented demand’ after pre-sale of tickets.
