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Tangled Up Tour

Summary

The Tangled Up Tour was the fourth concert tour by English-Irish girl group Girls Aloud. It supported their fourth studio album Tangled Up. Tour dates were announced in November 2007. Girls Aloud performed twenty-four shows at arenas across the United Kingdom and Ireland, making this tour their third to reach arenas. The tour commenced in Belfast on 3 May 2008 and concluded in Birmingham on 4 June. Girls Aloud also performed eleven open-air concerts over the summer.

Tangled Up Tour
Tour by Girls Aloud
Cover of the tour programme
Associated albumTangled Up
Start date3 May 2008
End date29 August 2008
Legs2
No. of shows35
Girls Aloud concert chronology

The show was divided into five unique sections with distinct costumes, including the encore. The stage outfits, designed by Welsh designer Julien MacDonald, received comparisons to Madonna's Blond Ambition World Tour. Girls Aloud began the show suspended from the ceiling wearing black cloaks before performing the opening number "Sexy! No No No...". The set list mostly included songs from Tangled Up, as well as earlier singles and album tracks. A ballad section took place on a smaller stage in the centre of the arena. Billiam, Luigi Masi, and The Saturdays provided support for Girls Aloud on the tour.

The tour generated positive reviews from critics, who noted the performance as being the most sexual of Girls Aloud's career to date. The Tangled Up Tour was filmed at the O2 Arena in London on 17 May 2008 and shown live at 50 Vue cinemas across the United Kingdom. This footage was released on DVD and Blu-ray under the title Tangled Up: Live from The O2 2008 in October 2008. The tour was also broadcast on a number of television channels.

Background and development edit

The first dates were announced by various news sources towards the end of November 2007. Pre-sale tickets were offered on Girls Aloud's official website on 22 November 2007.[1] In March 2008, Girls Aloud signed a deal to front an ad campaign for a new low-calorie Kit Kat bar called "Senses". The manufacturer sponsored the tour, and handed out chocolate bars for free at the arenas.

The announcement of the tour helped to stop rumours that the band were splitting up. The stories surfaced after Nadine Coyle pulled out of a reality show for the second time.[2] It was widely reported in April 2008 that Cheryl Cole was working on solo material with producer T2.[3] These accusations were quickly denied, with Cole saying that she "had been in tour rehearsals every day."[4] The band put a further stop to these rumours at their London show, by announcing that they would be recording a new album.[5]

The show reportedly cost an estimated £3 million to stage, with £250,000 worth of pyrotechnics.[6] Girls Aloud called the show their most "extravagant and rewarding" yet.[6] Sarah Harding said that "over the years it gets bigger and more elaborate."[7] The stage outfits were designed by Welsh designer Julien MacDonald, London-based Norwegian designer Kristian Aadnevik, and Liza Bruce.[8] MacDonald designed "a set of crystal beaded numbers drenched in his signature sparkle" and "a collection of sci-fi inspired bodysuits."[8] Kimberley Walsh told press that the band was "really excited about the tour" and had "loads of things planned."[9] Luigi Masi, Billiam and The Saturdays provided support for Girls Aloud on the tour.[10]

Girls Aloud played a number of festivals and open-air concerts over the summer. They were scheduled to perform at the Beamish Summer Festival, held at Beamish Hall in August as part of a two-day event organised by Hope 4 Kidz.[11] However, due to weather problems, the concert was cancelled. Girls Aloud also played at Pop in the Park and 2008's V Festival.[12] They previously performed at V Festival in 2006 with a shortened set of their Chemistry Tour.

Concert synopsis edit

For the opening of the Tangled Up Tour, the band members were suspended from the ceiling wearing black cloaks. The video screen shows Cheryl Cole singing the vocodered intro to "Sexy! No No No…".[13] Girls Aloud reached the stage as the song became more uptempo, removing their cloaks and revealing sci-fi inspired bodysuits.[8][13] They then perform Tangled Up album track "Girl Overboard". During "Sound of the Underground", Girls Aloud use "semi-naked male dancers as both props and furniture.[13] The first section of the show is finished by "Close to Love", another album track.

For the second section of the show, Girls Aloud wear black cabaret numbers. They perform "Can't Speak French", followed by "Love Machine". Album track "Black Jacks" is "performed on a rotating stage complete with a hugely energetic dance routine from both the girls and their dancers" and features a "snappy monochrome stage design."[13][14] "Biology" is "slowed down slightly" and "interrupted" with a jazz interlude.[13]

During their ballad section, Girls Aloud perform "Whole Lotta History" and "I'll Stand by You". They also perform a stripped-down cover of Robyn's "With Every Heartbeat".[15] They originally performed the song for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, a recording of which is available on the "Can't Speak French" single.[16]

Following a brief video introduction, Girls Aloud perform "Fling" in gold sequined mini-dresses.[13] The group also perform a cover of Salt-n-Pepa's "Push It".[17] They then perform a medley of "Wake Me Up" and "Walk This Way". Additionally, Cheryl Cole sang a "quick incerpt" of Kelis' "Trick Me" at the end of "Control of the Knife", noted by critics as a "tabloid-friendly decision."[14][18] The set ends with "Call the Shots" and "Jump".[13]

For the encore of "Something Kinda Ooooh", Girls Aloud wear high-cut Liza Bruce day-glo coloured leotards and nude fishnets amidst pyrotechnics.[13]

Opening acts edit

Setlist edit

The following set list is representative of the show in May 2008. It is not representative of all concerts for the duration of the tour.

Section 1
  2. "Sexy! No No No..." (with video introduction)
  4. "Girl Overboard"
  6. "Sound of the Underground"
  8. "Close to Love"
Section 2
  2. "Can't Speak French"
  4. "Love Machine"
  6. "Black Jacks"
  8. "Biology"
Section 3
  2. "Whole Lotta History"
  4. "With Every Heartbeat" (Robyn cover)
  6. "I'll Stand By You"
Section 4
  2. "Fling" (with video introduction)
  4. "Push It" (Salt-N-Pepa cover)
  6. "Wake Me Up" / "Walk This Way"
  8. "Control of the Knife" (contains excerpts of "Trick Me")
  10. "Call the Shots"
  12. "Jump"
Encore
  2. "Something Kinda Ooooh"

Tour dates edit

List of concerts, showing date, city, country and venue
Date City Country Venue
Leg 1[19]
3 May 2008 Belfast Northern Ireland Odyssey Arena
4 May 2008
5 May 2008
7 May 2008 Glasgow Scotland SECC Concert Hall 4
8 May 2008
10 May 2008 Bournemouth England Bournemouth International Centre
11 May 2008
13 May 2008 Brighton Brighton Centre
14 May 2008
16 May 2008 London The O2 Arena
17 May 2008
18 May 2008 Cardiff Wales Cardiff International Arena
20 May 2008 Nottingham England Trent FM Arena
21 May 2008 Sheffield Sheffield Arena
23 May 2008 Birmingham National Indoor Arena
24 May 2008 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
25 May 2008
27 May 2008 Aberdeen Scotland Press and Journal Arena
28 May 2008
30 May 2008 Liverpool England Echo Arena
31 May 2008 Manchester Manchester Evening News Arena
1 June 2008
3 June 2008 Cardiff Wales Cardiff International Arena
4 June 2008 Birmingham England LG Arena
Leg 2
4 July 2008 Warwick England Warwick Castle
17 July 2008 Esher Sandown Park Racecourse
18 July 2008 Newmarket Newmarket Racecourse
25 July 2008 Edinburgh Scotland Edinburgh Castle
27 July 2008 East Cowes England Osborne House
3 August 2008 Acton Dorfold Hall
16 August 2008 Elton Elton Hall
16 August 2008 Weston-under-Lizard Weston Park
17 August 2008 Chelmsford Hylands Park
23 August 2008 Battle Battle Abbey
29 August 2008 Harewood Harewood House
Cancellations and rescheduled shows
24 August 2008 Stanley, England Beamish Hall This concert was cancelled due to weather problems.[citation needed]
14 September 2008 Derry Hill, England Bowood House This concert was cancelled due to weather problems.[citation needed]

Broadcasts and recordings edit

Tangled Up: Live from The O2 2008
 
Video by
Girls Aloud
Released27 October 2008
RecordedO2 Arena
17 May 2008
GenrePop
Length102 minutes
LabelPolydor
Girls Aloud chronology
Style
(2007) 		''Tangled Up: Live from The O2 2008''
(2008) 		Girls Aloud: Out Of Control Live at the O2
(2009)

The tour was recorded on 17 May at The O2 Arena in London and shown live across 50 Vue cinemas up and down the country.[20] Footage was released later that year when Tangled Up: Live from The O2 2008 was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 27 October 2008. In addition to the show, bonus features included a backstage documentary, music videos and trailers for the Tangled Up album. The DVD was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry.[21] A shortened version of the recording was shown on Channel 4 various times in December 2008.

Critical response edit

The Tangled Up Tour received mostly positive reviews from contemporary music critics. The Independent gave the show four stars, saying that "even their between-song chatter is amusing". Although low points were noted, the review continued that "Girls Aloud remain confidently the only pop show in town."[22] The Daily Record said they "pulled out all the stops."[23] Becky Reed of Clickmusic gave the show four stars and stated, "Never mind that original banter and individual personality is lacking, the chemistry and magic is all there in the spectacle of the show."[13]

The Mirror called it "the most sexually-charged performance of their career".[24] Many reviews focused on Girls Aloud's provocative attire, comparing it to Madonna and Jean Paul Gaultier's famous designs for her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour.[6][25] Reed complimented the costumes: "Girls Aloud have finally moved on from the market stall clobber and now resemble the Kylie-esque superstars they deserve to be."[13]

The Times only gave the show two stars. "The songs varied wildly in quality. While upbeat belters... tapped into the hedonistic rush of classic gay disco, too much of the set felt graceless and flat."[26] The critique even said "the famous five could easily have been interchangeable Stepford androids."[26] Despite having praise for the girls, Nick Levine of Digital Spy observed "one too many bum notes."[14]

Many shows on the Tangled Up Tour sold out including two dates at the UK's most renowned venue, the O2 in London and because of the overwhelming success of the initial dates announced, more were added due to public demand.

References edit

  1. ^ "Girls Aloud relaxing ahead of tour". AOL Entertainment. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  2. ^ Maureen Coleman (21 November 2007). "Nadine tangled up in band split rumours (again)". The Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 March 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  3. ^ Tom Thorogood (16 April 2008). "Cheryl Cole's solo plans". MTV News. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  4. ^ "A Message From Cheryl". GirlsAloud.co.uk. 18 April 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  5. ^ "Girls Aloud thrill London". MyParkMag.co.uk. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  6. ^ a b c "Material Girls Aloud". Metro. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  7. ^ "Girls Aloud plan for spectacular tour". Monsters and Critics. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  8. ^ a b c Jessica Bumpus (8 May 2008). "Girls in sparkle". Vogue. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
  9. ^ "Girls Aloud relaxing ahead of tour". Press Association. 31 March 2008. Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  10. ^ "Luigi Masi and Billiam support the Girls!". Girls Aloud. 2 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  11. ^ Gordon Barr (16 May 2008). "Pop icons Girls Aloud to play outdoor gig". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  12. ^ "2008 Line Up". VFestival.com. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Becky Reed (18 May 2008). "Girls Aloud, The O2, London". Clickmusic. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  14. ^ a b c Nick Levine (20 May 2008). "Girls Aloud: The good, the bad and the bawdy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  15. ^ Emma Johnson (31 May 2008). "Girls Aloud/Echo Arena". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  16. ^ "Can't Speak French". HMV. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  17. ^ Katie Bodinger (19 May 2008). "Review; Girls Aloud". South Wales Echo. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  18. ^ "Girls Aloud and proud of pop classics". Express & Star. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2008.
  19. ^ Sources for tour dates:
    • Gareth Rogers (5 March 2008). "Girls Aloud line up a second date in city". South Wales Echo. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
    • Maureen Coleman (10 December 2007). "Girls Aloud add extra Belfast date". The Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
    • Jack Foley (22 November 2007). "Girls Aloud announced Tangled Up tour". IndieLondon. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
    • "Girls Aloud at The Brighton Centre". BrightonCentre.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
    • Amar Singh (3 January 2008). "Kylie seals Dome's glory as most popular venue". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
    • "Girls' Welsh gig revealed". Western Mail. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
    • Gary Welford (17 December 2007). "Girls Aloud set for double date on Tyneside". Retrieved 4 April 2008.
    • "Girls Aloud in concert". Aecc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
    • Michelle Fiddler (20 November 2007). "Girls Aloud to play Liverpool ECHO Arena". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
    • Dayle Crutchlow (10 March 2008). "Girls Aloud to rock Warwick Castle". Coventry Evening Telegraph. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
    • "Girls Aloud 'Call the Shots' at Sandown Park's Music Night". Sandown. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
    • "Girls Aloud – 18 July". Newmarket Racecourses.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 March 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
    • Henry Northmore (21 February 2008). "Girls Aloud and Runrig to play Edinburgh Castle gigs". The List. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
    • "Weller joins Girls at island gigs". BBC News. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
    • "Girls Aloud head to Sussex". Eastbourne Herald. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
    • "Another coup for Harewood as Girls Aloud announce summer concert". Wetherby News. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  20. ^ Phil Robinson (2 May 2008). "Girls Aloud gig to be screened live at Vue". icCheshireOnline. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  21. ^ "BPI > Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  22. ^ David Pollock (8 May 2008). "First Night: Girls Aloud, SECC, Glasgow". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
  23. ^ Beverley Lyons and Laura Sutherland (8 May 2008). "You know when you've been Tangled". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
  24. ^ "Girls Aloud launch Tangled Up tour with raunchy performance". Daily Mirror. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
  25. ^ Beverley Lyons and Laura Sutherland (5 May 2008). "Girls get into the Groove". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  26. ^ a b Dalton, Stephen (9 May 2008). "Girls Aloud at SECC,Glasgow". The Times. London. Retrieved 12 May 2008.

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