All the rumours are true – S Club 7 are back, and they’re heading out on a massive arena tour of the UK and Ireland later this year.
Fans were absolutely overcome with excitement after reports emerged and rumours began circulating earlier this year that S Club 7 were set for a “massive reunion tour” – but now, after months of speculation, it’s finally been confirmed that the iconic 90s pop group is returning for a reunion tour in celebration of their 25-year legacy.
Unlike some previous reunions of fellow 90s and 00s pop groups in recent years, the S Club 7 Reunited tour will actually see all seven members – Bradley, Hannah, Jo, Jon, Paul, Rachel, and Tina – come together for an 11-date arena tour across the UK and Ireland.
The group says the reunion tour is an opportunity for S Club 7 fans of every generation to come together and re-experience the hits that soundtracked the British charts for five years.
We can't wait to be reunited with you all this October 🇬🇧
Sign up before 5pm GMT tomorrow to gain access to PRE-SALE TICKETS via the link in our bio. PRE-SALE opens Wednesday 15th Feb, 10am GMT. GENERAL SALE opens Friday 17th Feb, 10am GMT 🎊 #SClub7Reunitedpic.twitter.com/wBS2MbdiSK
Formed all the way back in 1998 by Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, S Club 7 quickly rose to prominence, and went on to become one of the most successful British groups of all time by dominate the world of pop music.
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In their five short years together, the group had four UK number one singles, one UK number one album, and a string of hits, including ‘Reach’, ‘Bring It All Back, ‘Don’t Stop Movin’, ‘S Club Party’, and ‘Never Had a Dream Come True’.
They had four studio albums, released 11 singles, and sold 10 million albums worldwide.
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S Club 7 announces massive 25th anniversary reunion tour of UK & Ireland / Credit: S Club 7
In 2002, the group sadly began to fracture and success started dwindling after Paul Cattermole left due to “creative differences”, which left the remaining members having to fight and deny a raft of rumours presuming they were about to split up – until they finally announced in April 2003 on stage during a live performance that they were calling it quits.
But now, with a string of multi-platinum selling albums, and international hit singles to their name, S Club 7 are “a household name once again ready to rise”.
🆕 // JUST ANNOUNCED
♫ There ain't no party like an S Club party… ♪
🤩 @SClub7 will 'Bring It All Back' with a 25th Anniversary Tour, stopping by @AOArena, 21 October 2023!
📲 Set your ticket reminders for 10am, Friday 17 February 2023.
“After eight years, it feels amazing to announce that we’re reuniting and performing together again,” the band said ahead of the tour.
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“We’re so excited to bring the S Club Party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7. We can’t even believe it’s been so long! Music and friendship have always been at the core of everything that we’ve ever done.
S Club 7 will play a massive headline show at the AO Arena in Manchester as part of the UK tour on 21 October 2023, with tickets set to go on sale this Friday 17 February at 10am.
Featured Image – Supplied (via Tim Roney/Getty Images)
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Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either: