In just a couple of days time, Girls Aloud will be back in Manchester as they return to the AO Arena for the next leg of their huge stadium tour. On Thursday, the venue will come alive with some of the group's biggest hits, from Sounds of the Underground and Biology, to Call the Shots and The Promise.
The hotly anticipated reunion marks their first tour in 11 years and the group's first round of shows since the passing of bandmate Sarah Harding in 2021. Billed as a 'celebration' on all things Girls Aloud, they be taking over the AO Arena on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night with some of their biggest hits, plenty of outfit changes and impressive stage production.
The huge tour also marks the 21st anniversary since they were voted winners of ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals. Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle kicked off ‘The Girls Aloud Show’ at the 3Arena in Dublin over the weekend, and have two dates in Belfast this week before heading to Manchester later this week.
READ MORE: Girls Aloud at AO Arena - seating plan, set times, setlist, parking and everything you need to know
Following their appearance on Popstars, the biggest-selling girl group of the 21st century released 'Sound of the Underground’, an instant hit that took home the UK Christmas Number 1 and spent four weeks at the top. Their debut album of the same name came out in 2003, followed closely by ‘What Will The Neighbours Say’, ‘Chemistry’ and a first arena tour in 2006.
Followed up with their fourth studio album, 'Tangled' in 2007, plus a BRIT nomination, they released their final studio album, ‘Out of Control’, before announcing a hiatus in 2009. The last time fans saw them on stage will have been 2013 with the Ten: The Hits Tour.
For those heading over to the AO Arena later this week, here's a full round-up of what you can take to the shows. Taking your own food and drink into the arena is not allowed - but there are lots of food and drink options at the venue and nearby at The Printworks, NOMA and The Corn Exchange.
As there will be security checks, the advice is to get there early to make sure you're inside in plenty of time for the show to start - and to grab that all-important merch. Our full guide to set times, setlist, parking and seating plan is available here.
Can you take a bag into the AO Arena?
The venue advises keeping personal belongings to a minimum. They allow one small bag per person, however, shopping bags, backpacks, travel cases, laptop bags and large tote bags are not permitted.
There are no storage facilities at the venue and the AO Arena is not responsible for late admission or non-admission due to failure to comply with the above rules.
Bag size limits are as follows:
- All bags larger than 30cm wide x 40cm long x 20cm deep (approx. A3 sized) are strictly prohibited.
- Backpacks are not permitted and there is no facility to store prohibited items.
- Bags that can be worn on the back must not exceed 30cm wide x 20cm long x 20cm deep (approx. A4 sized).
Can you take your own food and drink into the AO Arena?
No food or drink items can be taken into the AO Arena. Only food and drink items purchased on the premises are allowed to be consumed.
If you have any specific dietary or medical requirements, you can speak to a steward at the door upon arrival and contact the AO Arena in advance with your request.
The venue does have a range of refreshment stands offering a variety of hot and cold food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
What can you not take into the AO Arena?
The list is not exhaustive and other items may be refused at the point of entry:
- Glass, cans, aluminium bottles or thermoses of any kind including liquid products which can be consumed
- Flammable liquids in any container
- Laser pens/pointers
- Video cameras, recording devices and professional cameras
- Laptop computers, iPads, Go Pro’s or tablets with filming and recording capabilities
- Large/golf/metal tipped umbrellas
- Knives or weapons of any kind
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Alcoholic beverages
- Signs, banners or flags on poles, staffs or selfie sticks
- Animals (except ADUK registered service dogs)
- Air horns, whistles, cowbells or other noise-making distractions
- Projectiles (frisbees, beach balls, footballs etc)
- Aerosol cans (hairspray, deodorant etc )
- Fireworks, confetti, glitter bombs or flares
- Balloons
- Use of wheeled footwear, skateboards
- Food and drinks
- Helmets and full face masks
- Large studs and chains
Can you smoke?
The AO Arena operates a strict no-smoking policy. This extends to the use of e-cigarettes (except within any designated vaping areas; conditions apply).
There are no pass-outs or readmissions of any kind. If customers choose to leave the venue to smoke, they will not be allowed back in to the venue.
