Girls Aloud commanded attention as they returned to the stage for their second sold out night of their reunion tour at the 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday.
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh made up the iconic girl band alongside the late Sarah Harding who tragically died from cancer in 2021.
The girl group’s had fans in tears as they performed a rendition of I’ll Stand By You, which was number one in 2004, set to a video of Sarah and her vocals.
The band included Sarah throughout the incredible show as their 20-song setlist has been revealed.
Nadine said: ‘This next one we’re going to do really is a duet. We were looking through things to do and this song we’re going to do, it’s Sarah singing the whole song.
Girls Aloud commanded attention as they returned to the stage for their second night of their reunion tour at the 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh wowed as they performed for the sold out crowd as their incredible 20-song setlist has been revealed
The girls made up the iconic band alongside the late Sarah Harding who tragically died from cancer in 2021 (pictured L-R Kimberley, Nicola, Sarah, Cheryl and Nadine)
‘So we’re going to do a duet with Sarah tonight. It’ll be Sarah and it’ll be us and it’ll be you. Let’s all do this together.’
Keeping Sarah as the focus from the start until the end of the performance, the show began with hit Untouchable which was set against a backdrop of footage of Sarah displayed on pink curtains.
Later they performed Whole Lotta History, which was also dedicated to the late star.
Nicola reflected: ‘When we recorded this next song 19 years ago, we had no idea 19 years later it would become so poignant on our journey.’
Black and white footage of Sarah singing were then shown, followed by a emotional montage dedicated to the late star which read: ‘The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.’
Holding back emotion, Kimberley told the audience: ‘Standing feeling all the emotions you’re feeling. I hope you know it means as much as it means you to you.’
Cheryl added: ‘Thank you for your support through everything we went through with Sarah. It’s hard to believe but it’s such a beautiful thing to be on stage with these ladies again.’
Elsewhere during the show’s 20-song setlist, the girls performed hit Wake Me Up while straddling motorbikes that flew over the audience.
The girl group’s had fans in tears as they performed a rendition of I’ll Stand By You, which was number one in 2004, set to a video of Sarah and her vocals
The band included Sarah throughout the incredible show as their 20-song setlist has been revealed
Keeping Sarah as the focus from the start until the end of the performance, the show began with hit Untouchable which was set against a backdrop of footage of Sarah displayed on pink curtains
Later they performed Whole Lotta History, which was also dedicated to the late star
The band looked sensational in glittering white costumes
Cheryl, Nicola, Kimberley and Nadine later slipped into coordinated red and black leather outfits as they were joined on stage by backing dancers.
The girls showed off their sensational figures throughout the night in a number of outfits including white glittering bodysuits as they were lifted into the air on individual podiums.
Cheryl said: ‘I really need to take this opportunity to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you’ve done for us over the past 20 years and the support for everything we went through with Sarah, your continued love and being here tonight.
‘It’s actually hard to believe. It’s such a pleasure to be here sharing the stage with these three gorgeous ladies once again.’
For the encore, the girls sang their 2008 hit single The Promise and had Sarah perform her verse.
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 as Sarah received her diagnosis.
Taking to Twitter after their second sold out show, the band quoted their 2008 single, Untouchable as they thanked fans.
They wrote: ‘Through wind and rain we got here, now we’re flying babe with no fear’. Dublin night 2…you did not disappoint. Thanks for all your love.’
After two back-to-back opening nights in Dublin’s 3Arena, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Monday and Tuesday.
Elsewhere during the show’s 20-song setlist, the girls performed hit Wake Me Up while wearing edgy black leather outfits
Cheryl, Nicola, Kimberley and Nadine later slipped into coordinated red and black leather outfits as they were joined on stage by backing dancers
Nadine wowed in a red leather bodysuit
The girls showed off their sensational figures throughout the night in a number of outfits including white glittering bodysuits as they were lifted into the air on individual podiums
For the encore, the girls sang their 2008 hit single The Promise and had Sarah perform her verse
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
They will then head to the Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday.
In November, the group had to add six extra dates to their UK and Ireland 2024 arena tour due to ‘unprecedented demand’ following ticket pre-sales.
When they announced the tour, Cheryl revealed they had been discussing the plans for some time but put the idea on ice when Sarah – who died in September 2021 – was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She said: ‘We all started talking about the possibility of doing something to celebrate Girls Aloud’s 20-year anniversary a few years ago. The anniversary seemed like an obvious thing that we would celebrate.
‘But when Sarah fell ill all priorities changed. She passed away a year before the anniversary and it just didn’t feel right, it felt too soon.’
The group plan to use the tour to “celebrate” their late friend.
Cheryl added: ‘But now, I think there is an energy that does makes it feel right. It’s the right time to celebrate Sarah, it’s the right time to celebrate the band and the right time to celebrate the fact we can still do this 21 years later. That’s a big honour in lots of ways.’
Kimberley said: ‘Over the last year, we’ve felt this outpouring of love – obviously towards Sarah, but actually towards all of us as a group.
A second reunion for their 20th anniversary was planned but came as Sarah received her diagnosis
Taking to Twitter after their second sold out show, the band quoted their 2008 single, Untouchable as they thanked fans
They wrote: ‘Through wind and rain we got here, now we’re flying babe with no fear’. Dublin night 2…you did not disappoint. Thanks for all your love’
After two back-to-back opening nights in Dublin’s 3Arena, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Monday and Tuesday
They will then head to the Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday
In November, the group had to add six extra dates to their UK and Ireland 2024 arena tour due to ‘unprecedented demand’ following ticket pre-sales
‘And I guess it’s ignited something in all of us again. It feels like something has changed and it does feel like the right time to celebrate Sarah and the 20-year anniversary that we didn’t celebrate at the time.’
The group hope fans will enjoy the tour just as much as them.
Nadine said: ‘Girls Aloud are a band that made such a huge impact on people’s lives. We grew up with the band, but so did so many other people.
‘So for us not to do something again feels like such a shame and a waste. We want to have that moment with fans where we can all enjoy it together.’