Girls Aloud fans have been warned to allow plenty of time to get into Newcastle to see them on Friday, as, with England Lionesses playing just up the road at St James’ Park, a city centre ‘gridlock’ is being predicted in the early evening.
Just over six months since Cheryl, Nadine, Kimberley and Nicola announced they were reuniting for The Show tour, the Brit winners are descending on Tyneside for three near sell out shows at the Utilita Arena on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As well as it being over a decade since the music icons performed in the city, the concerts are a big homecoming for Geordie star Cheryl, who made it into Girls Aloud after auditioning for Popstars the Rivals as a teenager back in 2002.
The Show tour kicked off in Dublin on May 17 and the Girls Aloud setlist is a total dream for fans, with *SPOILER ALERT* classics like The Promise and Sound of the Underground, sitting alongside old album favourites like Graffiti My Soul and Girl Overboard.
READ MORE: Girls Aloud support acts for Newcastle as The Show tour set for Utilita Arena
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he Girls Aloud Newcastle start and finish times have now been confirmed, with them due on stage at 8.45pm, after a DJ at 7.30pm. The big issue for fans heading to the arena is the England Women’s Euro qualifier against France is also happening on the same night, meaning roads and Metros are going to be heaving.
Wherever possible, fans travelling in from outside Newcastle are being told to avoid driving through the city itself and instead use alternative routes like Scotswood Bridge, as the Redheugh Bridge is likely to be very busy from around 5pm and the Tyne Bridge is still down to one lane. The closest Metro to the Utilita Arena is around a 10 minute walk away.
It you are driving there is the option to park before you get into the city and then walk across, although there is a multi storey right next to the arena, opposite the Leonardo (formerly Jurys Inn) hotel.
For those motorists using the A1, there are lane closure from junction 66 to 65 southbound and a full over night closure between junctions 68 and 65 this weekend.