On a sweltering Thursday night, the original Sugababes lineup—Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhan—set Bristol Harbourside ablaze, delivering a performance that lived up to the reputation Siren has built for bringing heavyweight acts to the city’s waterfront. The multi-award-winning, multi-platinum trio didn’t just perform; they reminded the crowd why they remain a cornerstone of British pop.
Basking in the golden glow of a setting sun, the audience was treated to a greatest hits setlist that wouldn’t have been out of place in a stadium. Opening with a one-two punch of “Freak Like Me,” “Red Dress,” and “Hole in the Head,” the Sugababes wasted no time in showcasing their enduring appeal. It was the kind of night where hit after hit left you wondering how you’d ever forgotten just how deep their catalog runs. By the midpoint, the energy was palpable, with fans hoisted onto shoulders, singing every word with an enthusiasm that must have echoed across the city.
Individually, Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhan each had moments to shine, their voices weaving together effortlessly on tracks like “Stronger,” reminding everyone of the unique blend that first propelled them to stardom. The crowd, a nostalgic mix of early 2000s teens, danced and sang as if the past two decades had simply melted away. It’s safe to say many woke up the next day nursing sore throats and aching backs, proof of a night well spent.
The encore was nothing short of triumphant, with Sugababes pushing the bar higher with each song. By the time they closed with “Round Round” and “About You Now,” the crowd had taken over vocal duties, turning the amphitheatre into one massive, euphoric singalong. As the final notes faded, and the lights dimmed, the energy spilled into the streets, where the night’s magic continued with thousands of voices still echoing the tunes that had defined a generation.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
