All Saints know where it’s at...
IT was a sweet moment when, last summer, the girlband All Saints embraced in the sunshine after singing for 60,000 people at the Etihad Stadium – unable to hide their delight at supporting Manchester’s very own manband, Take That, on tour in their home city.
After playing the Arena the week before the devastating terror attack, in which 22 people lost their lives and more than 120 were injured, the Never Ever hitmakers had been due to play three more dates there on the Wonderland tour.
But the concerts were rescheduled to become one gig at the Etihad in June. “Going on tour with Take That was so much fun and it was a great honour to support them,” said Natalie Appleton.
“To perform at the Etihad was so amazing and the best experience.”
Much like Take That, All Saints launched in the 90s and after selling 12 million records are still going strong today with fresh new music – and they’re heading back to the city later this year to play for fans at the Manchester Academy.
The UK tour will celebrate the release of their critically acclaimed fifth album Testament, which will include their much-loved hits and new tracks. “I’m so excited, the crowds are always great in Manchester,” said Shaznay Lewis, who penned the gospeltinged break-up track Never Ever, which won British Single of the Year and British Video of the Year at the 1998 Brit Awards.
They are excited to have reunited with producer William Orbit, the force behind their dreamy synth-led megahits Pure Shores and Black Coffee, for their new album
“It’s great to work with such a natural and to have kept that relationship,” Mel Blatt said.
All Saints play Manchester Academy on Saturday, December 8. Visit gigsandtours.com.