00s pop icons surprise shoppers with free car park gig
The Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet's 30th anniversary celebration featured 00s icons (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
A rainy night in Cheshire wasn't enough to dampen the spirits as Sugababes surprised shoppers with a free gig.
The 00s pop icons were the secret headliners for Friday night's car park gig celebrating the 30th anniversary of Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
Over 3,000 shoppers, residents and more flocked to the retail park where a special stage had been set up for an evening of entertainment.
The show was non-ticketed, with anyone wanting to join in the fun simply ushered through security and able to join in the fun.
Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt got things started with an energetic DJ set before introducing Take That's Howard Donald graced the stage for the next hour.
After that, it was time for Sugababes to grace the stage as a ray of sunshine with the rain pouring down.
They delivered an incredible hit-filled set to get everyone dancing and singing along, with classics like Round Round, Overload, Freak Like Me and Ugly.
Sugababes were the event's surprise headliners (Picture:for ABA)
Kimberly Wyatt did a DJ set (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
She was all smiles as the enthusiastic crowd cheered (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
Since its launch, the retail outlet has become a staple shopping destination (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
Their live band kept the energy up as the beloved girl group – made up of founding members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy – thanked the fans for sticking around in the rain.
They were loving the unique setting, with a stage put up in a car park in the middle of the shopping outlet.
'More of this,' they shouted about the idea of a free surprise gig.
After more hits including Push The Button, they rounded off the gig with a punchy, heavier version of About You Now with the crowd singing back every word.
There was a golden circle area for team members and local charity partners, although partway through Howard's DJ set, the barriers were taken down to bring everyone closer to the stage.
Sugababes were eventually brought out to huge cheers, and delivered a special show for everyone in attendance.
Howard Donald of Take That also made an appearance (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
Fans were thrilled with the high quality free entertainment (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
Kenny Murray, General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: 'We promised something special, and the reaction from the crowd said it all.
'The Sugababes were the perfect surprise to mark this milestone and having Howard and Kimberly on the decks as well certainly made it a night to remember.
'This was about celebrating both our community and our customers, and the incredible journey we've been on together over the last three decades.'
Cheshire Oaks, at 400,000 square feet and 165+ resident brands, is the largest designer outlet in the UK.
It's celebrating its 30th anniversary all year, with this event being a 'thank you' to the locals.
It also highlighted charity partners like The Hospice of The Good Shepherd, Koala, Flynns Port in the Storm and Claire House.
For more information on future celebratory events at Cheshire Oaks, visit: Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet | Up to 60% Less | McArthurGlen
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Take That star cuts a casual figure in a mustard shirt and peach shorts as he unveils surprise new career at Cheshire Oaks' 30th anniversary gig
Take That star Howard Donald cut a casual figure as he unveiled a surprising new career path during Cheshire Oaks' 30th anniversary gig in Wirral, Merseyside, on Friday. The singer, 57, who rose to fame as part of the iconic pop group, showed off his DJ skills on stage, dressed in a ribbed mustard button-up shirt over a white vest, paired with oversized peach-coloured shorts. He completed his laid-back look with a pink baseball cap and seemed to be in his element as he mixed tunes for the crowd. However, while Howard's DJ set may have surprised some attendees, he's no newcomer to the scene. Performing under his DJ alias DJ HD, he has played at renowned clubs and festivals around the world, including Gatecrasher in Birmingham, Eden in Ibiza, and Ministry of Sound in London. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. His sets typically feature a blend of house, funky, and vocal-driven electronic music. Later in the evening, Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt, 43, also took to the decks, energising the crowd with a dynamic set. The American singer stunned in a figure-hugging, sparkly white jumpsuit with flared legs. She styled her blonde locks in a sleek ponytail and accessorised with silver, chain-linked drop earrings. The anniversary gig marks a flagship celebratory event, as the brand continues to honour its storied past, exploring how fashion and shopping habits have evolved since its doors first opened in 1995. Earlier this year, Cheshire Oaks unveiled its 2025 Style Report, revealing that 63 per cent of Brits now prefer shopping in person rather than online. As well as the resurgence of nostalgic fashion trends from the 90s, from baggy trousers to full denim looks, returning to pride and place in wardrobes across the UK. As the UK's largest designer outlet, with over 400,000 sq ft of retail space and a vibrant community of more than 165 brands, Cheshire Oaks continues to shine as a landmark of British retail innovation and culture. Kenny Murray, General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: 'This anniversary is a moment to celebrate the rich history and vibrant future of Cheshire Oaks. 'We have evolved continuously over the last three decades, and now it's time to celebrate in true style. 'Over our 30 years we've built a real sense of community that makes this centre special and we want to celebrate this milestone with the local area and people so close to our heart.' 'This summer's music event, crowned by a secret headline act, promises to be a truly special experience, and a way that we can give back to the loyal customers who have trusted us to bring them the latest fashion trends since the 90s, we can't wait to enjoy it with them.'
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Hundreds turn out to celebrate Wolverhampton Pride
Wolverhampton took on rainbow hues on Saturday as hundreds of people gathered in the city centre to celebrate businesses and venues adopted the colours as a centre-piece parade wound its way through streets from 13:00 BST.A stage in Market Square, renamed Pride Plaza, offered entertainment to the crowds."We are a rainbow city," said organiser Beth Coey Archer. "The whole of the city is covered in rainbows." She described Pride as a vital event for the local LGBTQ+ community and said it was important they "continued to be visual and represented"."We also then look at the progress we need to make moving forward, as well as celebrating all the progress that we've made to date," she added. The entertainment on Pride Plaza included music performances from Pussycat Dolls member Kimberly Wyatt and drag vocal group Swift tribute act Lauren G and Wolverhampton trans rapper Nate Ethan were also among the part of the weekend celebrations, a Wolverhampton Pride picnic is scheduled to be held in West Park from 11:00 BST on Sunday. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Sugababes admit comeback 'obstacles' as fans deserved 'different ending'
EXCLUSIVE: The Sugababes have opened up about their meteoric comeback and gaining the right to use their band name again, but admit their fans deserved the reunion The Sugababes admit facing "obstacles" during their comeback without having the iconic band name. Original members, Muyua Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy left fans gobsmacked in 2011 when it emerged that they would be reuniting for the first time since Donaghy's departure in 2011. But after Keisha's exit from the group in 2009, the original members joined forces under the name MKS and performed a string of sell-out shows across the country, as well as releasing original music. But it was in 2019 that the band won back the legal rights to use their name, which propelled them to fame. Reflecting on their comeback during an exclusive chat with the Mirror, Siobhán admits that the legacy behind the iconic girl group is "amazing". She said: "On one hand, it makes everything super easy when you're doing a show, everyone sings along to every show. Also, it's a lot to live up to, so it's a bit of good pressure in terms of new music – I think that's a good pressure and it motivates us." Keisha added: "It's always been important to us, and I think that was one of the main things for us getting back together, is that we wanted to pick up where we left off." Mutya added: "And give back to the fans as well, I think we've had such great supporters from then til now." Keisha added: "They deserved a different ending." Speaking about the bombshell MKS reunion, Keisha said: "That was amazing." Mutya added on their reaction from fans: "Like they still cared and we were still relevant because when you haven't done something for so long, you don't know how the tickets are going to sell, you don't even know if people still like you." Keisha added: "That was incredible, we hadn't had the name back yet. And so we were meeting all these different obstacles of 'Can you do it without the name? Can you do this?' We always knew that with us, it was about the music, and our voices were the most recognisable thing, even without the name. "So being able to come back and having all these obstacles and still being able to have sell-out shows and the support we had was really great." But the band admit it has been a "long journey" since they reformed, revealing that the past three to four years have been the most hectic for them. "It was a whole ten-year journey before that," Keisha said, adding: "When it was starting to happen, it was everything that we dreamt of and more." The band are now busier than ever, having recently performed a sell-out arena tour across the UK, as well as appearing at dozens of festivals. Two of those festivals were Glastonbury, which saw an unprecedented demand for the group, with the fields being closed down on both occasions. Siobhan admitted that the band would have loved to shut the fields down but had no idea it would actually happen on both occasions in 2022 and 2024. But how do the band get their heads around the staggering success of the band? "We kind of embrace it," Keisha explained. She went on to add: "Like Siobhán was saying, it's such a big legacy and it's great when we're on stage, the hardest thing when you're performing is trying to reintroduce new stuff. "Even when we were first performing the Round Round's and Overload's, I think really, the goal is what legacy you leave. The fact that we can come back 25 years later, we started so young, and reintroduce things in a different way. Everything is reimagined in the music, and it sounds very current." One thing they have reintroduced is a new version of Too Lost In You, with a garage aspect on the classic ballad, which has since become a fan favourite at Sugababes concerts. Siobhán said: "It's not as mentally daunting being in your mind as when you're a teenager." The band were in their early teens when they were signed by Ron Tom and Sarah Stennet before going on to release their debut single, Overload, in 2000 – which peaked at Number 6. "We're very humble," says Mutya, adding that they count their blessings. Despite their current and rather hectic schedules ahead of festivals, the band admit that there will be new music soon". "More festivals, singles and an album," said Keisha, before Siobhán joked they needed to "hurry up." She added: "The body of work is there, we just need to finish it off, we've gone straight from touring to festival season, we're finding the slots where we can get the opportunity," before confirming the singles are "lined up." Although the band are leading the industry with their top-tier vocals, Keisha admits that there are "so many talented" female vocal groups. She added: "It's so good that we get to be amongst them. Back then, it was really about the harmonies; we did have a unique way of doing our harmonies. Even the boy bands are singing now." "We've got some great British groups and vocalists," said Mutya. One thing Mutya doesn't understand is why the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry, Remember Mondays received no points. "I actually thought they were good, they got zero," she said, adding: "I think people were just being really mean. Vocally, they were really, really good. "They didn't deserve zero." Since finding fame in 1998, what has been their favourite look and fashion highlight? "I really liked my Glastonbury look," said Siobhán, adding: "I used to wear a lot of Vivienne Westwood, I'm a massive fan." Mutya went on to say: "I don't know, I always seem to like a baggy look, cropped jacket, I don't mind where it's from. On the tour, I did Evisu, I kind of brought that back out for myself." Keisha said: "For me, I feel like braids, the chunky ones. "I didn't really do braids throughout the Sugababes. I had one nightmare, I had this bobbed braid in Year 7, and it was done really badly by someone. I walked in, and one of the boys was like, 'Your hair looks like worms.' It was just done terribly. There's a knack to how you do it. "I was obsessed with Brandy [Norwood], so that's why I had it done. Looking back, when I had that moment, I didn't do it again until I we did the video for Round Round – my cousin was really good with braids, so I did it that one time and that was it. I do like the braids." Mutya added: "I love Keisha with braids." The Soundtrack of Style — Celebrating 30 Years at Cheshire Oaks. Sugababes were unveiled as the secret headliner of Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet's 30th anniversary event, providing shoppers and the local community with the ultimate surprise and delight moment to celebrate three decades in fashion and business. The iconic pop group performed at the one-off non-ticketed event, supported by Take That 's Howard Donald and Hits Radio DJ and former Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt to honour the outlet's 30-year legacy.
