Girls Aloud returned to the stage for the first time in 11 years as their reunion tour kicked off in Dublin with a heartbreaking tribute to the late Sarah Harding.
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh formed the iconic girl band alongside Sarah until her tragic death from cancer in 2021.
But more than a decade after their last performance, Girls Aloud reunited on Friday at Dublin’s 3Arena for the first night of their comeback tour, dedicated to Sarah.
The girl group’s opening night had their late bandmate front and center with a performance of ‘I’ll Stand By You’ featuring a video of Sarah and her vocals, leaving fans in tears.
The stars formed the iconic girl band in 2002 after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and reunited with new music for their 10th anniversary in 2012. A second reunion was planned for their 20th anniversary, but it came about when Sarah received her diagnosis.
Girls Aloud returned to the stage for the first time in 11 years as their reunion tour kicked off in Dublin on Friday with a heartbreaking tribute to the late Sarah Harding.
Girls Aloud reunited with new music for their 10th anniversary in 2012, while a second reunion was planned for their 20th anniversary when Sarah was tragically diagnosed with cancer. She passed away in September 2021 at age 39 (pictured in 2017)
The new tour, which will play major UK cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool, is dedicated to Sarah.
Girls Aloud fans, those lucky enough to be at the Dublin show and those who admired online, took to social media to share that they were touched by the tribute.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, they said: ‘This is what you call a tribute. Bringing out their demo vocals to showcase their incredible legacy is something only this band would do. Long reign Girls Aloud! ,’;
‘If you see me crying in Cardiff at the Girls Aloud show, yes, you did because Sarah Harding was a legend. RIP Queen’;
‘What a beautiful tribute to Sarah. The loud girls are really awesome. Girls, be proud! Sara will be. X,’;
‘Well, this broke my heart’; ‘I’m honestly crying. We miss you Sara’;
‘this moment is going to be the end of me, my God… SARAH FOREVER ,’;
‘The tribute to Sarah is so special, it’s so nice to hear her voice as part of the tour’; “This is a wonderful moment.”
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Sarah Harding formed the iconic band in 2002 after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 (pictured).
But more than a decade after their last performance, Girls Aloud reunited at Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday for the first night of their comeback tour.
Cheryl photographed during the Dublin concert
Nadine, Nicola, Cheryl and Kimberley looked sensational as they took to the stage together in Dublin.
Cheryl’s ensemble featured a loose, open-front skirt that she removed to reveal a nude catsuit.
Kimberley channeled her inner ’70s diva as she donned a bejeweled white flared jumpsuit.
Nadine and Kimberley spotted mid-performance on Friday
Nicola looked elegant in a sequined chiffon minidress and ruffled skirt
Girls Aloud fans – those lucky enough to be at the Dublin show and those who admired it online – took to social media to share that they were moved by the tribute to Sarah.
Nadine, Nicola, Cheryl and Kimberley looked sensational as they took to the stage together in Dublin.
Kimberley channeled her inner ’70s diva as she donned a bejeweled white flared jumpsuit, while Nadine opted for a bold sparkly jumpsuit with a tulle train.
Meanwhile, Nicola looked elegant in a sequined chiffon minidress and ruffled skirt and Cheryl’s ensemble featured a flowy open-front skirt.
For another number, the girls changed their angelic appearance and sported biker outfits while riding motorcycles suspended in the air.
But the tour got off to a shaky start as less than an hour before their scheduled arrival at Dublin’s 3Arena, the group issued an “updated stage schedule” on X.
He said that due to the “Dublin motorway closure”, the quartet would arrive 30 minutes later than expected, at 9.15pm.
For another number, the girls changed their angelic appearance and wore black outfits.
The singers climbed onto motorcycles suspended in the air as part of another performance
Charyl appears singing in the middle of the first show of the Girls Aloud tour
After two consecutive opening nights at Dublin’s 3Arena, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at Belfast’s SSE Arena on Monday and Tuesday.
They will then head to Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday.
But the tour got off to a shaky start as less than an hour before their scheduled arrival at Dublin’s 3Arena, the group issued an “updated stage schedule” on X.
Before the show, a post on Girls Aloud X’s official account read: ‘Rehearsals? Made. Choreography? Ready. Suits? Equipped. Girls? Aloud.
‘…We have been working very hard to make this show special for all of you.’
After two consecutive opening nights at Dublin’s 3Arena, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at Belfast’s SSE Arena on Monday and Tuesday.
They will then head to Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday.
In November, the group had to add six additional dates to their 2024 UK and Ireland stadium tour due to “unprecedented demand” following pre-sale tickets.