If you grew up watching Popstars, get VERY excited: Hear’Say and Liberty X are heading out on tour together in 2027!
Yes, really. Twenty-five years after the show introduced us to both groups, they’re reuniting for Popstars: The Originals, a huge UK and Ireland arena tour celebrating the music that had us all singing along in the early 2000s.
And the best bit? We’re getting four original members of Hear’Say AND all five members of Liberty X!
Danny Foster, Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan will reunite as Hear’Say, while Michelle Heaton, Jessica Taylor, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm and Kelli Young are all returning for Liberty X.
Is anyone else already mentally preparing to sing Pure and Simple and Just A Little at the top of their lungs?
It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Popstars first brought both groups into our lives. Long before we were voting for our favourites on The X Factor, following One Direction’s every move or watching Little Mix take over the charts, there was Popstars.
The show followed thousands of hopefuls auditioning for a place in a brand-new pop group, with Hear’Say eventually being formed from the five winners.
Their debut single Pure and Simple went straight to No.1, becoming one of the defining pop songs of 2001. They followed it with another chart-topper, The Way To Your Love, while their debut album Popstars also reached No.1 and went triple Platinum.
But while Hear’Say were celebrating their success, five contestants who hadn’t made the final line-up were about to prove that not winning could work out rather brilliantly too.
Michelle, Jessica, Tony, Kevin and Kelli formed Liberty X, giving us Thinking It Over, Got To Have Your Love, Being Nobody and, of course, the absolute classic that is Just A Little.
Honestly, that song alone is worth getting excited about this tour for.
Just A Little reached No.1 in 2002 and became one of the year’s biggest-selling singles, while Liberty X went on to achieve eight UK Top 10 hits and a double-Platinum debut album.
And now, a quarter of a century later, the two groups that started it all are finally going to share the same stage.
Speaking about the reunion, Hear’Say said: “Coming back together after 25 years is something that’s incredibly special to all of us. It’s a chance to celebrate an unforgettable chapter in our lives, reconnect with each other and relive so many amazing memories.
“To be sharing the stage with Liberty X makes this celebration even more special, and it feels like the perfect way to mark such an incredible milestone.”
Liberty X are just as excited, adding: “It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Popstars changed all of our lives. We are thrilled to be heading out on tour with Hear’Say to celebrate where it all began.
“Whether you’ve been with us since day one or you’re discovering these songs all over again, we can’t wait to sing, dance and make some brand new memories together.”
While Liberty X have continued performing over the years as a three-piece, including festival and Pride appearances, this tour will see Tony and Kevin rejoin Michelle, Jessica and Kelli.
Hear’Say’s reunion is particularly exciting given how short their original time together was. Despite achieving enormous success almost overnight, the group split in 2002, so fans have waited a long time to see four of the original members perform together again.
And they’re not doing things by halves either.
Popstars: The Originals will kick off at Dublin’s 3Arena on 17 April 2027 before visiting Belfast, Bournemouth, Nottingham, Brighton, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow, London and Manchester, finishing at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on 9 May.
With more than 150,000 fans expected across the tour, many will be reliving their early 2000s pop memories.
Popstars: The Originals – 2027 Tour Dates
April 2027
- 17 April – Dublin, 3Arena
- 18 April – Belfast, SSE Arena
- 20 April – Bournemouth, BIC
- 21 April – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
- 25 April – Brighton, Brighton Centre
- 28 April – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
May 2027
- 1 May – Birmingham, BP Pulse Arena
- 2 May – Leeds, First Direct Arena
- 4 May – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
- 5 May – Glasgow, Hydro Arena
- 7 May – London, The O2
- 8 May – Manchester, AO Arena
- 9 May – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
Fans can register for pre-sale access ahead of tickets going on sale at 9am on Wednesday 14 October, with general sale following at 9am on Friday 16 October.
Twenty-five years later, Pure and Simple still sounds brilliant, Just A Little is still guaranteed to get people dancing, and we’re about to hear them both live on the same night.
Now, where did we put those early 2000s CDs?
All ticket info here!
