The original Sugababes, Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy first broke on to the music scene in 2000 with their critically acclaimed album, One Touch, it was only a year later in 2001 that Siobhan left the band amid rumours of a rift with her other band mates, Mutya was next to leave in 2005 and finally Keisha departed in 2009. Brand Sugababes had somewhat lost its originality and the unique mix of harmonies and R&B vibes of the original three were longed for. 

Now performing under the name ‘Mutya, Keisha, Siobhan’, the girls closed their highly anticipated ‘Sacred Three’ tour at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London on Friday night. The girls kicked things off with a remastered acapella version of Promises from their debut album as Sugababes, the place erupted as it became evident the girls were back and meant business!

The constant cheering and roaring of the crowd carried each song to the next, it definitely felt like something special was taking place. Siobhan took on Heidi’s lines in tracks including Stronger and Too Lost In You, which she said she was nervous about singing as it was her favourite Sugababes track. Her vocals were on point and the loud cheers and echo’s of “Heidi fu&*ing who?” with every line she sang confirmed that and Keisha gave her stamp of approval saying “she smashed it!”.

Tracks from their upcoming album stood strong against the old classics, each song seemed to compliment all of their styles and brought their voices together for some upbeat catchy riffs and beautiful harmonies. ‘I’m Alright’ and ‘No Regrets’ seem likely contenders for the next single, both tracks defining what this mature, empowering reunion is all about.

Keisha took a moment to introduce Grandmother Buchanan who was in the audience, watching her perform live for just the second time. She also thanked everybody for the support and love, making reference to the rumours about MKS and their management troubles she said “It’s not easy following us with all the changes and what not but we are sister’s and we are here”. The Sacred Three tour came to an end with the three incredible vocalists once again blowing away the crowd with their new single, Flatline.

It was these three very different vocals and aesthetics that made the girls stand out in their Sugababes era, they’ve successfully brought this back bigger and better, the impact they have when they sing as a collective is both uplifting and mind blowing. The rifts of the past seem to be forgotten and the 11 year wait for a comeback forgiven as the music industry laps up in the triumphant comeback of Britain’s finest girl group.

Words by: Paddy Ellis (@paddyellis)