Review
Review
Little Mix turn their farewell into a parade of hits
After ten years together, Little Mix shine through the tears at London's O2 as they bid farewell to fans... for now
It’s impossible to resist the warm nostalgia that surrounds The O2 as Little Mix begin the run of three London shows that make up the closing stages of their farewell tour. After weeks of celebratory social media posts hyping The Confetti Tour, the fans finally get a glimpse at an emotional Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock as they finish this ten-year chapter.
The group built its brand on the idea of strong female friendships and their own take on the girl power that predecessor Spice Girls championed throughout the 90s. Those themes remain strong, as the remaining trio repeatedly throw their arms around each other in support.
With six studio albums to squeeze into their near two-hour set, it’s no surprise that it’s a night of wall-to-wall hits and seats are abandoned from the very first number. ‘Shout Out To My Ex’, ‘Heartbreak Anthem’, and ‘Break Up Song’ mark a strong opening trio that whip the crowd into a frenzy.
Throughout, Little Mix offer reminders just how seasoned and slick their performances have become. The girls emerge clad in neon shimmering bodysuits with vibrant feathered sleeves, surrounded by rainbow confetti canons that explode on cue. It’s a dayglo party that doesn’t let up until well after the final curtain call.
Nods to the group’s early years are peppered throughout, from a triumphant performance of their debut single, ‘Wings’, to replaying the moment Dermot O’Leary the band as winners of The X Factor in 2011. As well as marking the beginning and the end, it shows a band both devotedly proud of their origins and acutely aware of how far they’ve come.
True all-rounders, Little Mix stay in perpetual motion throughout every number, with help from a seven-person-strong dance troupe. Most impressive, however, are the moments that allow their impressive vocals to steal the limelight. Standouts include an emotional rendition of ‘Secret Love Song, Pt II’ – dedicated to their LGBTQ+ fans – and ‘Between Us’, which leaves the whole group in tears.
Ending on a high with their most recent UK No.1 single ‘Sweet Melody’, there’s a sense that the resounding applause is as much for their contributions to pop music as it is for the stellar production and performance.
A uniquely inclusive band from the very beginning, Little Mix has always felt like a community. A community where everyone was not only welcomed but encouraged to be who they are. A community that has definitely grown over the years but never changed. A community that will no doubt be waiting for Jade, Perrie, and Leigh-Anne if and hopefully when they do reunite in the future.
Final tickets to see Little Mix on their Confetti Tour are available here.
