Girls Aloud have released three previously-unreleased songs from the sessions for their 2004 album ‘What Will The Neighbours Say?’.
The 20th anniversary reissue of the group’s second album includes three tracks from the Girls Aloud vaults that have never been publicly heard until today.
Alongside the original Disco Bunny and Baby When You Go, also featured is their cover of Chris Isaak’s 1991 hit Wicked Game, which was originally intended as a single.
It marks the first time material from the group featuring the late Sarah Harding has been made available since their 2012 reunion, which delivered the greatest hits LP ‘Ten’.
Listen to Wicked Game below.
It comes ahead of a 21st anniversary reunion for the group – starring Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts – who play a total of 30 shows across the UK, marking their first tour as a four-piece following Sarah’s death.
In addition to the originally-announced 15 shows, the Love Machine hitmakers have continued to extend the run, which is now double the size that was originally announced.
Tickets are on sale now and available here. The full list of dates is below.
MAY 2024
17 – 3Arena, Dublin
18 – 3Arena, Dublin
20 – SSE Arena, Belfast
21 – SSE Arena, Belfast
23 – AO Arena, Manchester
24 – AO Arena, Manchester
25 – AO Arena, Manchester
27 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff
28 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield
31 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
JUNE 2024
1 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
2 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
4 – P&J Live, Aberdeen
8 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
9 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
10 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
12 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
13 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
15 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
16 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
18 – Resorts World Arena, Birmingham
19 – Resorts World Arena, Birmingham
20 – Resorts World Arena, Birmingham
22 – The O2, London
23 – The O2, London
25 – The O2, London
26 – The O2, London
27 – The O2, London*
29 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
30 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Of the shows, which will celebrate the group’s 21st anniversary and honour Sarah, Cheryl says: “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. 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.”
Nadine adds: “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.”
Kimberley continues: “Over the last year, we’ve felt this outpouring of love – obviously towards Sarah, but actually towards all of us as a group. 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.”
Nicola reflects: “I think what’s really encouraging is that whenever people ask us about reuniting it’s not, “Would you guys ever do it?” but “When are you guys gonna do it?” To know we still have that love from our fans and people who watched us grow up gives us the confidence to do the tour. It will be massive celebration of everything we’ve done up to this point. We want people to leave being like, “Wow, I’ve just had one of the best nights of my life.”
According to a press release, Girls Aloud – who will headline Brighton Pride this summer – will not be releasing any new music around the tour and the band haven’t recorded any new songs or filmed any music videos, despite recent reports. Instead, the tour will be a celebration of Girls Aloud’s catalogue and the success they have achieved as a band.
