Music / Reviews

Review: Sugababes, Bristol Amphitheatre – ‘A testament to the power of female friendship’

By Mia Smith  Friday Aug 2, 2024

Summer 2024 has been hot for the early noughties pop girls. Claire Richards took on Bristol Pride, Girls Aloud reunited for their sell-out arena tour, and the Sugababes caused mass overcrowding at Glastonbury.

Now Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy strut across the Amphitheatre, the harbourside soaked in sun and nostalgia.

It’s also a Siren summer – the gig a warm up for the promoters’ stint at Canon’s Marsh, with reggae legends UB40 headlining today, before the festival’s Hospitality on the Harbour drum and bass takeover on Saturday.

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Photo: Siren

The evening is a celebration of female talent: a formidable line-up arranged before the trio even take to the stage. Radio One dance DJ Jaguar spins iconic pop princess remixes, rising R’n’B star Tyler Lewis brings dreamy vocals, and forward thinking DJ collective Peachin’ continues the groove.

It feels like a real festival despite occupying just a small space on the harbourside’s cobbles. Like bigger events, the best moments can sometimes be found away from the main stage: there’s a drag queen performing in front of a shed that’s become a makeshift DJ booth, lip syncing perfectly along to Gangnam Style while another dressed as a peapod interviews the crowd.

Sugababes start as they mean to go on. Freak Like Me is first – just one of their many number one hits. The iconic sample of Gary Numan and Tubeway Army’s Are Friends Electric? rises as the sun sets, the crowd screaming so feverishly that we almost can’t hear the trio.

 

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The set masterfully traces the band’s journey, winding through old classics like Run for Cover and Hole in the Head before launching into Flatline. Buchanan takes a moment to reflect: this was the first track they released when officially back together as a trio.

It’s an emotional evening – the band have been through a lot. After three lineup changes and a strenuous legal battle, we’re back to the original ‘babes with their original name: the trio of friends who formed the band when they were just 11, Buchanan tells us.

The show is a testament to the power of female friendship. It’s tear jerking to see this group of women so giddy on stage, back with a confidence that has been repeatedly knocked in such a tough and misogynistic industry.

The set is interrupted with news headlines and quotes about the band: their multi-platinum records, brit nominations, their triumph as the biggest girl band of the noughties. The crowd hardly needs a reminder of how iconic the trio are, but it’s moving to see them recognise and own their success.

Their breakout hit Overload is a crowd favourite, the band bringing out stools to perform some slick chairography. Their harmonies are immaculate, achievable only by a group so perfectly in sync with one another. Buena asks if we’re ready to party, and we’re rewarded with an extended version of the track. With a song so incredible, why not keep repeating it?

They take great care to interact with the crowd too – taking one third each and using us to battle in classic call and response style. They make hearts and blow kisses, and comically shout compliments to fans wearing their merch.

After a stellar set, the trio return for an encore of the quintessential Sugababes hits: Push the Button, Round Round and About You Now. They pull out more insane choreography – this time involving their microphone stands – and offer the crowd their mics to sing along. Our hearts are full, and so are theirs.

The ‘babes are well and truly back, and they’re sweeter than ever.

All photos (except where credited) – @darrencphotography

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