Almost 22 years since the release of the debut hit album ‘One Touch’, the Sugababes are back and they mean business.
Further to their electrifying performances at Glastonbury, Victorious and a myriad of other festivals earlier this year, the iconic and original trio made up of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy are on tour for the first time in ten years since they last toured as MKS (Mutya Keisha Siobhan)
Why the Sugababes’ Return Is a Masterclass in Pop Perfection?
Few comebacks carry the weight of genuine anticipation the way the Sugababes’ does. The original trio of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy spent years away from the stage, and yet the moment they returned it was immediately clear that the chemistry, the harmonies and the sheer cool of what made them special had never really left. A gig at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth is an intimate setting for a group whose hits belong on festival main stages, which made the evening feel all the more charged. Every track landed like a reminder of just how deep and enduring their catalogue runs.
What Made the Sugababes’ O2 Academy Bournemouth Set So Special?
Support acts can make or break the atmosphere for a night like this, and Kara Marni delivered a set that was generous in energy and smart in sequencing. By the time the Sugababes took the stage, the crowd was already fully invested. From ‘Push the Button’ through to ‘Freak Like Me’ and the closing ‘About You Now’, the trio moved through their back catalogue with the kind of ease that only comes from knowing exactly who you are as a group. The deep cuts from the MKS era sat without apology alongside the greatest hits, and tracks like ‘Ugly’ and ‘Too Lost In You’ were given the emotional weight they deserve. As pop evenings go, this one will take some beating.
With stellar support from rising star Kara Marni who put on a fantastic display which included ‘Trippin’ – a monster of a track that samples Amerie’s ‘1 Thing’. ‘Over You’ and a very heartfelt rendition of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’.
Kara gave a well-rounded and captivating performance and really helped pave the way to get the party started for a fantastic night of live music.
An elated crowd welcomed the Sugababes to the stage who kicked off proceedings with a sultry and cool rendition of ‘Push the Button’ which was followed in quick succession with ‘Red Dress’ and the brilliant ‘Hole in the Head’.
The trio have always been renowned for their impressive harmonies and their supercool attitudes, track by track, this was a masterclass in pop perfection with every member giving a high energy and an accomplished performance
Hit after hit, the girls showcased their epic back catalogue of their best-loved hits which sat effortlessly alongside some deep cuts and tracks from their MKS days which included ‘Flatline’ and ‘Love Me Hard’.
The Sugababes elated the crowd with tracks like ‘Ugly’, an emotional ‘Too Lost In You’, an impassioned rendition of ‘Stronger’ and ‘2 Hearts’.
One of the highlights of the set was a cover of Sweet Female Attitude’s ‘Flowers’, which was followed by ‘Round Round’ and the electrifying ‘Freak Like Me’. The band closed the set with fan favourite ‘About You Now’ which really set the 02 Academy in Bournemouth alight.
Melodic and magnificent in equal measure, the Sugababes effortlessly showed their pop pedigree thanks to their top-notch performance skills and their captivating and endearing stage presence.
Photo credit @BLAYKE
