11,000 people were united in their joy and nostalgia as Little Mix took over M&S Bank Arena on Monday night.
The trio of talented performers - made up of Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall - dominated the stage with an explosion of confetti, laughter, tears, impeccable dance moves and more. Little Mix's much-anticipated Confetti Tour will be the band's final, as they'll be going on hiatus once it concludes next month.
I still remember watching Little Mix win The X Factor back in 2011, anxiously holding hands while awaiting the announcement from host Dermot O'Leary that would change their lives forever. They were the first band to ever win the hit talent show, a feat that came beautifully full-circle last year when they picked up the BRIT Award for Best British Group - the first girl-band to do so in the awards' history.
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Little Mix's staying power and tenacity in the music industry isn't just down to their singing prowess and ability to release a hit track, it's also down to the fact they're just so likeable. Pop music isn't my favourite genre of music yet I've rooted for Little Mix's success for the last decade.
Once their tour finishes in May, the British music industry will be incredibly different, with no major girl-band yet ready to pick up their torch. This is why, despite the show's unapologetically girly and camp fun, it was a bittersweet affair.
The show opened after some technical difficulties - excellently handled by the crew while the audience took the opportunity to chant together and perform multiple crowd waves - and Little Mix kicked the night off with an eruption of confetti before launching into mega-hit Shout Out to my Ex. Kitted out in sequins and neon feathers, they brought the audience along for the ride, encouraging singalongs to some of the track's most excellently acerbic lines. The crowd's joyous screams were still ringing in my ears long after the show ended.
In between belting out hit after hit, in which each member showed off their incredible vocal range, they took the time to really engage and chat with their fans. At one point, Leigh-Anne said: "How has it been two and a half years since we've seen your faces?" Before sharing personal insight into all that's changed for the band in recent years, continuing: "We welcomed three baby Mixers into the camp." She then grabbed Jade and added: "And this one became a dog mum!"
The arrival of babies and dogs in each of their lives was equally celebrated, suited to Little Mix's brand of celebrating all life choices and milestones.
There wasn't a dry eye in the auditorium when the trio sang the poignant ballad, Secret Love Song. Jade said: "We are so unbelievably grateful and we'd like to give a special shout out to our LGBTQ+ community." The singer became emotional when talking about the band's hopes of ensuring a safe space for the community - sentiments echoed by the crowd who raised sheets of paper which read: "Thank you for being our safe space".
There was plenty of laughter and fun too, with some tracks revamped to ensure the entire show remained an relentless spectacle from start to finish. Pop favourite Woman Like Me was transformed with a rock’n’roll dance break, incorporating pyro effects and head-banging hairography that would have made the likes of Slipknot proud.
Little Mix manage to make the audience feel like more than just fans, they make you feel like you're an honorary member of the band. At certain points, divulging personal titbits about their lives, you're made to feel like you're on a brilliant night out with friends.
As the show came to a close, Jade said: "Honestly, we're so, so grateful and we can't believe it's been over a decade of Little Mix and we've stood the test of time thanks to you." Proving that all good things must come to an end, the band bowed out with Sweet Melody, with the crowd united in joy and tears.
They promise that Little Mix is forever and I, and thousands of others, will surely be counting down the days until they return.
Little Mix: the Confetti Tour began on April 9 and will conclude at London's O2 Arena on May 14. You can view remaining tour dates here.
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