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Sugababes were a pop phenomenon of the noughties. During that decade, this girl band released four platinum albums and achieved 26 consecutive UK top 40 hits, second only to the Spice Girls in chart success among British groups.
This 02 Arena gig showcased the band’s remarkable popularity, as it was their biggest to date and sold out weeks in advance. The crowd was excited to relive their youth, eagerly awaiting the return of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhán Donaghy.
The crowd was also treated to an intriguing performance by support act Shygirl. Blane Muise, a producer and singer, combined glitchy electronic beats, art-pop, and grime to create nuanced, sensual symphonies reminiscent of Björk at her most textured. Even though her music is more suited for late-night headphone sessions than large arenas, Shygirl’s dreamy beats captivated the audience.
Sugababes, on the other hand, have always excelled at crafting radio-friendly melodies. Since their formation in 1998 when they were still in their early teens, they enjoyed a decade of uninterrupted success. However, their journey was not always smooth. The group experienced frequent lineup changes and internal conflicts that made the drama surrounding Diana Ross and the Supremes seem tame in comparison.
At the O2, Buena, Buchanan, and Donaghy put their past difficulties behind them and delivered a stunning performance. Their opening song, the 2005 number one hit “Push the Button,” showcased their sleek and suggestive mastery of electropop. “Hole in the Head” followed suit with its soulful attitude and a lyrical takedown of a no-good man. As they took a break from the energetic dance numbers and sang their 2005 hit “Ugly” while seated on stools, it became clear that while this show was a nostalgic trip, their polished beats remained undeniably current.
“We’ve had a bit of a bumpy journey,” Donaghy admitted between songs, referencing her departure from the group in 2001 due to bullying by Buchanan. The original trio reunited in 2012 as Mutya Keisha Siobhan but only performed the commercially less successful “Flatline” from that era.
Sugababes were known for their catchy pop hooks, and they didn’t disappoint. The crowd’s energy soared as they performed their debut single from 2000, “Overload,” a song that is impossible not to sing along to. The momentum continued with their cover of Adina Howard’s “Freak Like Me,” which featured a sample from Gary Numan. For their encore, Sugababes returned to the stage and led the audience in a spirited singalong of their infectiously catchy 2007 number one hit, “About You Now,” asking if they could bring back the past.
★★★★☆
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