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Metro
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
I won't risk my safety by seeing Charli XCX at Glastonbury 2025
Having been eight times, I'd never felt unsafe at Glastonbury. Murmurs of crowds becoming claustrophobic and even potentially dangerous felt like a myth or unfortunate chaos that belonged in the past. That was until I was in the crush to get to Sugababes. In 2022, they were performing at the Avalon stage, a pop-friendly area with my name written all over it. It has seen some of the greatest artists from the Smash Hits era finally make it to Worthy Farm, when it would have been unthinkable to see them on the bill 20 years ago. The Avalon stage has a capacity of around 3,000 people and Sugababes were playing in the early evening. They've had six number one singles, four platinum albums and headlined the 02 Arena this year – clearly a 3,000 capacity stage wasn't going to accommodate one of the most successful artists on the Glastonbury bill. But somehow we managed to make it into the stage. I couldn't see Mutya, Keisha or Siobhan at any point but we made it in when thousands of others didn't, and endured the fresh hell of being part of the stampede trying to get into the tent. The Astroworld crush, which killed 10 people during rapper Travis Scott's gig, was just the year before and while Glastonbury would never let anything like that happen, it was still suffocating enough to cling onto friends and begin to panic. It was the first time I've ever been genuinely quite scared at Glastonbury and was sure I would never find myself in the same precarious situation again. Jump two years and Sugababes were back at Glastonbury, this time bumped up to the West Holts Stage – a significant upgrade with a 30,000 capacity, but still, it was obviously going to be another health and safety nightmare. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Stewards were trying to enforce a one-way system but there's only so much a handful of volunteers in high-vis jackets can do when there are thousands of fans with tunnel vision slipping through the net. They played on a Friday afternoon, clashing with Paul Heaton who was on The Pyramid, and once again it was an unnerving crush to see Push The Button live at Worthy Farm. I've spoken with friends and, after our previous experiences, many of us are concerned about this year. Subsequently, I've made the decision to avoid seeing the artist I was most excited to see. Charli XCX has by far been the most colossally important artist of the last 12 months. It was impossible not to get swept away by the Brat summer of 2024, whether you were a party girl functioning on Golden Virginia and Smirnoff Ice or you were just a spectator enjoying the ride from afar. She is the moment and I don't have a doubt she'll bring in the biggest crowd of the entire festival. Last year, she played a DJ set at Silver Hayes and thousands of people turned up just to watch her spin decks. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Huge crowds were turned away disappointed and it became one of the most celebrated moments of the weekend. It wasn't even a full Charli XCX show and the crowd was determined, engrossed and, more importantly, humongous. It is unthinkable, then, that she isn't topping off her Brat era on The Pyramid Stage where almost the entire festival could – and would – descend as one 170,000-strong army. Instead, she is on at The Other Stage, which has under half the capacity of the Pyramid, and sadly where I wouldn't dare try to see her. Last year Avril Lavigne performed on The Other Stage, her last hit single now 14 years old, and crowds complained they felt crushed as the swarm of fans expanded into camping areas. The thought of Charli on The Other Stage is genuinely terrifying and while every single person I know is dead set on watching her set, reluctantly I just can't face it. Glastonbury offers assurances every year that it always has a 'robust, dynamic crowd management plan in place', which I don't doubt, and Emily Eavis has admitted they've sold fewer tickets this year in an attempt to avert crushes. But logistically, I don't see how they can possibly keep the enormous Brat army confined to the limited space surrounding The Other Stage. At best it will be unbearable, at the very worst, potentially dangerous. There is a clash which might thin the crowd ever so slightly with rapper Doechi performing at the same time, but I can't see that being much of a deterrent for fiercely loyal Charli fans. More Trending It's sad that Glastonbury seems to specifically treat its pop artists this way, sidelining them to smaller stages, undermining their enormous fanbases and essentially losing grasp on its evolving identity. Granted, Olivia Rodrigo is closing the Pyramid Stage, but would it have been too much to have two humongous popstars headlining the same weekend? Glastonbury needs to realise what it is and who it's for before someone gets hurt. Yes, I am very lucky to be able to be in the field come the last weekend of June, but I can't deny I'm absolutely gutted that seeing Charli just feels like a dangerous option, which could so easily have been avoided. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: How to find Glastonbury's secret spots according to people who've been before MORE: I've applied for 38 jobs and got nowhere – I blame ageism MORE: Glastonbury organiser reveals drastic measure taken after crowd-crush fears
Metro
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
00s pop icons surprise shoppers with free car park gig
The Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet's 30th anniversary celebration featured 00s icons (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) A rainy night in Cheshire wasn't enough to dampen the spirits as Sugababes surprised shoppers with a free gig. The 00s pop icons were the secret headliners for Friday night's car park gig celebrating the 30th anniversary of Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. Over 3,000 shoppers, residents and more flocked to the retail park where a special stage had been set up for an evening of entertainment. The show was non-ticketed, with anyone wanting to join in the fun simply ushered through security and able to join in the fun. Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt got things started with an energetic DJ set before introducing Take That's Howard Donald graced the stage for the next hour. After that, it was time for Sugababes to grace the stage as a ray of sunshine with the rain pouring down. They delivered an incredible hit-filled set to get everyone dancing and singing along, with classics like Round Round, Overload, Freak Like Me and Ugly. Sugababes were the event's surprise headliners (Picture:for ABA) Kimberly Wyatt did a DJ set (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) She was all smiles as the enthusiastic crowd cheered (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) Since its launch, the retail outlet has become a staple shopping destination (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) Their live band kept the energy up as the beloved girl group – made up of founding members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy – thanked the fans for sticking around in the rain. They were loving the unique setting, with a stage put up in a car park in the middle of the shopping outlet. 'More of this,' they shouted about the idea of a free surprise gig. After more hits including Push The Button, they rounded off the gig with a punchy, heavier version of About You Now with the crowd singing back every word. There was a golden circle area for team members and local charity partners, although partway through Howard's DJ set, the barriers were taken down to bring everyone closer to the stage. Sugababes were eventually brought out to huge cheers, and delivered a special show for everyone in attendance. Howard Donald of Take That also made an appearance (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) Fans were thrilled with the high quality free entertainment (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) Kenny Murray, General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: 'We promised something special, and the reaction from the crowd said it all. 'The Sugababes were the perfect surprise to mark this milestone and having Howard and Kimberly on the decks as well certainly made it a night to remember. 'This was about celebrating both our community and our customers, and the incredible journey we've been on together over the last three decades.' Cheshire Oaks, at 400,000 square feet and 165+ resident brands, is the largest designer outlet in the UK. It's celebrating its 30th anniversary all year, with this event being a 'thank you' to the locals. It also highlighted charity partners like The Hospice of The Good Shepherd, Koala, Flynns Port in the Storm and Claire House. For more information on future celebratory events at Cheshire Oaks, visit: Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet | Up to 60% Less | McArthurGlen Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pop Star Keisha Buchanan, Member of Girl Group Sugababes, Was ‘Beaten and Controlled by Ex' for 3 Years, Court Hears
Keisha Buchanan topped the charts in the Sugababes with songs including "Round Round," "Push The Button" and "About You Now" The 40-year-old singer's ex-partner Taiwo Leo Atieno appeared in court on Thursday, May 8, facing several charges of alleged abuse during their relationship "The defendant has conducted a campaign of terror and abuse against the complainant for over ten years," Prosecutor Edward Kalber told the courtA British popstar has accused her ex-partner of spending three years harassing her while also demonstrating coercive and controlling behavior. On Thursday, May 8, Willesden Magistrates' Court heard allegations of how Keisha Buchanan was beaten and blocked from wearing red lipstick by Taiwo Leo Atieno during their 10-year relationship. Per prosecutors, the soccer star, 39, who played for Kenya and Luton Town, also allegedly controlled Buchanan's finances, when she could shower, and eating habits, UK newspapers The Standard and Metro reported. He is also accused of preventing the Sugababes singer, 40, from watching TV, only allowing her to go to the gym at 'certain times' and demanding $33,000 [£25,000] from her. The pair reportedly met in 2006 and began dating in 2011, while the alleged abuse took place between 2015 and 2018, the outlets reported. Buchanan went to the police in December last year to report the 'campaign of terror and abuse' she allegedly suffered, according to The Standard. Atieno allegedly harassed the 'About You Now' singer after their relationship ended, while also breaching a court order banning contact. He reportedly sent texts, emails and made social media contact for three years. 'The offending is severe in its nature and has caused […] problems for the defendant, both psychological and physical,' Prosecutor Edward Kalber said, according to Metro. 'The complainant states that while she lived with the defendant, she wasn't allowed to open her own letters or sort out her finances,' he continued. 'The complainant would have to ask for money whenever she wanted it.' 'The defendant would get annoyed if the complainant wore red lipstick. He berated her and called her trashy, and told her she looked like a prostitute whenever she wore this,' Kalber added. 'This then fed into her dietary issues, due to the defendant controlling what she was allowed to eat.' Having been allegedly assaulted three times, Buchanan had to undergo physiotherapy due to the physical abuse, Metro reported. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Atieno is charged with controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2015 and May 2018, assault occasioning actual bodily harm between January 2012 and January 2015, harassment between January 2021 and December last year, and an alleged breach of a non-molestation order, per The Standard. The Brixton-born forward of Kennington, southwest London, indicated not guilty pleas to all four charges against him when he appeared in the dock on Thursday, according to the outlet. His lawyer, Eli Belegu, told the court that Atieno was Buchanan's business manager. 'This is absolutely misleading as far as he is concerned,' she said, according to MailOnline. 'He denies that she ever had to ask him for money. The defendant is not a flight risk. The defendant has no intention of leaving the country and will attend further hearings.' 'The defendant is not at risk of committing further offenses," Belegu added. Buchanan also contests that he breached a court order. Atieno was remanded back into custody following the court appearance. Deputy District Judge Clare Boichot has sent the case to Harrow Crown Court, with a preliminary hearing set for June 5. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Buchanan was one of the original members of the Sugababes alongside singers Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy. Before splitting up in 2011, the girl group topped the charts with songs such as "Push the Button" and "Round Round." The trio has since reunited and has had a successful run of arena shows and festival appearances, including Glastonbury 2024. The Sugababes didn't immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on May 9. Read the original article on People
