Sarah Harding showcases solo material at London gig

In a survey (that we’ve just made up now) it’s fair to say that Sarah Harding is definitely the member of Girls Aloud that you want to go on a night out with – and fulfilling our wish, there she was on the stage of the O2 Academy in Islington with her die-hard fans shouting for ‘Hardcore’.

She started the show with a rocky little opening number, with her infamous platinum bob and blunt fringe; wearing a bejewelled leotard and studded jacket. She asked the crowd to “make some fucking noise” (we love a Girls Aloud swear). Sarah showcased some fun solo offerings such as L.O.V.E (the standout track by far, with a pop soul twist that sounded like a cross between Girls Aloud’s Love Bomb combined with Jamiroquai). An uptempo ballad and a pop rock Aloud-Esque track called I’m Not That Girl followed later, and showed that her solo project has the potential to be diverse.

And here is why we love good old ‘Hardcore’ Harding – refreshingly not self-indulgent, she didn’t restrict her set solely to her new material, but also brought out the old bangers. We’re talking Sound of the Underground, completed with a routine that made full use of her mic stand. We were treated to Love Machine, the track that gets dusted off by every GA alumni in their solo shows, and also Sexy No No No, which boasted wind machines and that high note that is idiosyncratic to Sarah.

Throwing in a cover of Rihanna Diamonds and Pharrell’s Happy, there she was, ear piece out after two seconds, swooshing her hair and giving it her all: basically having a ball. The Promise served as the show-closer, with her amazing ‘walking primrose’ line there for everybody to enjoy.

She left the stage with messed up hair and holes in her fishnets, with a beaming smile, just the way we have always loved her. Never change, Sarah.

[Photo courtesy of @abbiegriggsGA on Twitter]

> Sophie Ellis-Bextor launches album at intimate London gig
> Shane Filan kicks off first ever solo tour in Liverpool