Cheryl Cole has proven this year that she doesnāt need to be onĀ The X FactorĀ panel to enjoy success as a solo artist. Her critics predicted failure after she departed the panel following a well-documented ousting fromĀ The X Factor USA. In true Cheryl style though she came back fighting with new singleĀ Call My NameĀ which became the fastest-selling single of the year and her third number one single as a solo artist. A few months ago Cheryl took to the road for her first ever solo headline arena tour in support of her third studio albumĀ A Million Lights.
Reading the reviews of the arena tour at the time, it seemed the critics were still determined to bring down the nationās sweetheart criticising everything from her singing and dancing to the colour of the costumes she wore on stage. Having now seen the show thanks to this DVD releaseĀ A Million Lights Live At The O2Ā we have to say we donāt actually know what they were whittering on about. Over her 70 minute set Cheryl puts on a spectacular show that is uniquely her and thoroughly entertaining.
Opening with the high-energyĀ Sexy Den A Mutha, Cheryl performs highlights from her three studio albums and treats the audience to a Girls Aloud Medley too acknowledging her roots.Ā Call My NameĀ is an early highlight, and still one of Cherylās best songs, whilst debut solo hitĀ Fight For This LoveĀ provides a suitable encore for the performance before a reprise ofĀ Call My Name. Other highlights include will.i.amās guest appearance onĀ 3 Words, Wretch 32 performing with Cheryl onĀ Screw YouĀ and recent singleĀ Under The Sun.
In the middle section of the show she performs from a second stage and surprises withĀ Last One Standing, a bonus track fromĀ A Million Lights.
The focal point of the DVD will be ādoes she actually sing live?ā and the answer is most of the time yes. There are times she clearly canāt be as sheās dancing around so much but weād say she performs around 75% live. Thereāll still be those critics that say sheās miming to a pre-recorded backing track but she isnāt and she sounds great.
Extras on the disc include behind-the-scenes footage of Cheryl during the tour and personal videos filmed by Cheryl herself featuring her backing dancer and boyfriend Tre.
A Million Lights Live At The O2Ā is Cheryl at her absolute best and regardless of what people say about her you canāt say sheās not a bloody good popstar. We hope her next arena tour is slightly longer, 70 minutes is a little short considering she has 3 albums of material, but overall we loved the show. Weāre still firmly on Team Cheryl and see can count us amongst her āsoldiersā.