Girls Aloud

Girls Aloud is a UK girl group which was created out of television show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. Several thousand young hopefuls were audition with Girls Aloud becoming the winning girl band and One True Voice the winning boy band. Girls Aloud have achieved notable success with nine hit singles and two albums.

History

In 2002 a new talent search show was launched called Popstars: The Rivals. Several thousand applicants went to the auditions around the UK, hoping for a place in the final group following the success of Hear'Say. The auditions selected 10 men and 10 women as contestants to go on to Popstars. Before the first show two of the ten original female contestants were replaced. Hazel was found to be too old to participate, whilst Nicola Ward refused to sign the contract. Two new finalists were chosen and the show continued.

Related Topics:
2002 - Popstars - Hear'Say

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From October to November, the contestants took to the stage every Saturday night, singing for their place in one of the two bands. One contestant was eliminated each week until to a final line-up of each group was created.

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The resulting female line-up became Girls Aloud, five girls who were to be managed by Louis Walsh. The winning boy band was called One True Voice and was managed by Pete Waterman.

Related Topics:
Louis Walsh - Boy band - One True Voice - Pete Waterman

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In Christmas 2002 the two bands competed for the symbolic number one position in the Christmas Week UK's singles chart. Girls Aloud won with their single Sound of the Underground which then stayed at number one for 4 weeks. Disney Channel viewers later voted this as the 'Best Single' of the 2002-2003 period at the Disney Channel Kids Awards. Originally tipped to be more successful than the female winners, One True Voice released just two singles, achieved little success and quickly disbanded.

Related Topics:
Christmas - 2002 - Disney Channel

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Girls Aloud's debut album (Sound Of The Underground) was released in May 2003, following the number 2 hit "No Good Advice", proving that they weren't going to be a one-hit wonder. This track went on to become one of the biggest tracks of the year. It was also the first winner of the tongue-in-cheek Popjustice £20 Music Prize.

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"Life Got Cold" (number 3) and "Jump" (number 2) ? a cover of a Pointer Sisters song, and featured on the soundtrack to the 2003 film Love Actually ? were also released in 2003. Both were popular and helped to increase sales of the album, which reached platinum status at the end of the year after it was re-issued.

Related Topics:
Jump - Cover - Pointer Sisters - Soundtrack - Love Actually - 2003 - Platinum status

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In 2003 bandmember Cheryl Tweedy was convicted of assaulting a nightclub toilet attendant and sentenced to community service. The victim had claimed the attack was racially motivated, but the singer was acquitted of this charge.

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Their first 2004 single, "The Show", also entered the singles chart at number 2 as did "Love Machine" ? a track which became one of the years most popular songs. The single was nominated as ITV's Record Of The Year, but was beaten by Busted's "Thunderbirds Are Go". They hit Number 1 again with their next single, a cover of The Pretenders classic "I'll Stand By You", released towards the end of November. It was the official single of the Children in Need 2004 appeal, helping to raise money for the charity.

Related Topics:
2004 - ITV - Record Of The Year - Busted - Thunderbirds Are Go - The Pretenders - Children in Need

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Their second album, entitled What Will The Neighbours Say? was released on November 29 and entered the album charts at number 6, going platinum in under one month. What Will The Neighbours Say? featured the production and song writing work of Xenomania, a British production house. The success of the album led to the girls announcing a tour for the following year.

Related Topics:
What Will The Neighbours Say? - November 29 - Xenomania

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By the start 2005, Girls Aloud found themselves at the height of fame. Not only had they picked up a Glamour Award for 'Band Of The Year' and been voted as some of the world's sexiest women, they were also nominated for a Brit Award alongside McFly and Natasha Bedingfield.

Related Topics:
Glamour Award - Brit Award - McFly - Natasha Bedingfield

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The girls' eighth single "Wake Me Up" was released on February 21 2005 and charted at number 4, continuing their string of Top 5 singles. This was the final single to be taken from their second album. In September it followed in the footsteps of "No Good Advice" by picking up a second Popjustice £20 Music Prize.

Related Topics:
February 21 - 2005

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In September 2005 the group worked on their third album, after a short break following their sell out UK Tour. The first track to be taken from the forthcoming LP, "Long Hot Summer," (#7) was the groups ninth consecutive Top 10 hit . The album itself is due to be released in November alongside a calendar (October), a tour DVD and an official book available in September.

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Although Girls Aloud are often criticised for not writing their own songs--a common trend among pop artists--Girls Aloud have writing credits for five out of 14 tracks on their second album - Big Brother, Hear Me Out, Thank Me Daddy, I Say A Prayer For You, 100 Different Ways. They also co-wrote the b-sides 'History' and 'Loving Is Easy.' Kimberley and Sarah have said that they were involved in writing the majority of songs for their 3rd album.

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2004 Tour

Success in 2004 and high sales of their second album, which strongly out-performed the first, resulted in the group announcing a tour for May 2005. Tickets sold fast and the initial 17 date tour grew to 24 dates in a matter of weeks.

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The tour consisted of the following dates:

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• 2nd May ? Rhyl Pavilion Theatre (Warm Up Show)
• 3rd May ? Rhyl Pavilion Theatre (Warm Up Show)
• 4th May ? Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
• 5th May ? Brighton Centre
• 7th May ? Plymouth Pavilions
• 8th May ? Cardiff International Arena
• 9th May ? Oxford Apollo
• 11th May ? Blackpool Opera House
• 12th May ? Sands Centre Carlisle
• 13th May ? Glasgow Auditorium
• 14th May ? Edinburgh Playhouse
• 16th May ? Newcastle City Hall
• 18th May ? Manchester Apollo
• 19th May ? Manchester Apollo
• 20th May ? Sheffield Arena
• 21st May ? Birmingham Nia
• 23rd May ? Bristol Colston Hall
• 24th May ? Portsmouth Guildhall
• 25th May ? Ipswich Regent
• 27th May ? Liverpool Empire
• 28th May ? Hammersmith Apollo
• 29th May ? Hammersmith Apollo (DVD Filming)
• 31st May ? Belfast Waterfront Hall
• 1st June ? Dublin Olympia Theatre
• 2nd June ? Dublin Olympia Theatre

The tour received favourable reviews.

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