(Image Credit: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock)
Pop superstars, Girls Aloud, played live to an intimate crowd at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Tuesday night (2 July), with fans treated to performances of their most-loved hits including ‘Biology’ and ‘Sound of the Underground’.
The music icons – who shot to fame in the early 2000s after forming on reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals – performed to a crowd of just 2,000 fans, made up exclusively of O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers. More than 100,000 people applied for tickets via a ballot courtesy of Priority from O2.
The show marked the sixth O2 Priority Gig since the series began in 2021, having seen the likes of Kylie Minogue, Sam Fender and D Block Europe perform their own intimate, one-off shows for fans.
On the night, Girls Aloud dazzled the crowd with a jam-packed setlist of no.1 hits and fan-favorites at what was their first ever time performing at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The show also saw the band and fans pay tribute to beloved member Sarah Harding, who sadly passed in 2021.
Famous faces showed their support at the intimate gig, with Rita Ora, Ashley Roberts, Rylan Clark and Graham Norton in attendance amongst others.
Six lucky fans also got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with the band before the gig, where they got the chance to chat with their music idols and pose for pictures at a meet and greet.
Girls Aloud member, Kimberley Walsh, commenting on the exclusive Priority Gig, said: “Last night was fantastic – to have the opportunity to perform our favourite songs at such an iconic venue and in such an intimate setting with our fans is why we do this. It was a truly special night and we’re so grateful to O2 and all of our fans who entered the ballot and came to the show.”
Gareth Griffiths, Director, Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, said: “What a night with Girls Aloud at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire! One of the UK’s biggest groups of all time – from winning BRIT Awards to scoring four number one singles, their impact on popular music is undeniable. Priority from O2 is about giving back to music fans and bringing them closer to the artists they love, tonight was a truly special show for our customers.”
Alex Fairhead, Head of Access Partnerships at Live Nation UK, added: “It’s been an honour to work closely with O2 on their Priority Gigs series. Last night’s epic Girls Aloud Priority Gig illustrates O2’s profound insight into what their customers love. We’re looking forward to future Priority Gigs, bringing O2 customers closer to some of the world’s best artists in the UK’s most beloved venues.”
Girls Aloud’s performance at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire is Priority from O2’s latest exclusive and free concert for O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers and demonstrates the unforgettable experiences available to Priority members.
Priority is O2’s way of saying thanks to its customers and is available exclusively to those with an O2 mobile plan or Virgin Media broadband services. In addition to early ticket access to events at The O2, the O2 Academy network and other popular venues across the UK, Priority members can benefit from free bag drop, queue jump, cloakroom services, phone charging, VIP hospitality and discounts on merchandise.