Introduction
Bananarama recently returned to the stage for three sold-out nights at London’s Palladium to mark their 40th anniversary, delivering a nostalgia-fueled celebration of their classic hits.
The Performance
Ultimate 80s girl group Bananarama recently played three sold-out nights at iconic The London Palladium to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Recognized by Guinness World Records as the all-female group with the most chart entries, Bananarama achieved significant success, especially in their native UK, with 32 of their singles entering the Top 50 between 1982 and 2009, selling over 30 million records worldwide. The group's hits include "Love in the First Degree, "Venus", and "Robert De Niro's Waiting".
Beyond their remarkable commercial success, Bananarama helped define the sound and style of 80s pop music, with their synth-driven melodies, bold, trendsetting fashion and fearless feminist attitude. Inspiring a myriad of female artists and affirming their place in music history.
Originally a trio, Bananarama is now a duo, consisting of Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward, after founding member Siobhan Fahey departed in 1988. Despite the change, the pair have continued to perform with remarkable vitality and cohesion, preserving the group’s signature sound.
Cramming four decades of classic hits into a 90-minute set is no easy undertaking, but the duo triumphed in their eye-catching black-and-gold jumpsuits, delivering exceptional energy, charisma, and stage presence—the perfect tribute to their illustrious career.
Throughout the show, the connection between Bananarama and their fans was palpable, turning every song into a unified, rhapsodic celebration of their four-decade career and unyielding legacy.
The best representative of this was their performance of the 1990 single "Only Your Love".
The second the legendary woo woo" hoots drop, you’re treated to an infectious dose of dancefloor delight!
Despite the track being 34 years old, as well as Sara and Keren now well into their 60s, they performed as if it had been released yesterday, with their contagious exuberance and pristine vocal delivery.
The stage came alive thanks to dynamic lighting and sparkling effects that elevated the atmosphere, while their coordinated black-and-gold jumpsuits added a stylish, cinematic touch to proceedings.
The pair were brilliantly supported by their exemplary backing band, who gave the song a pulsating groove that you could feel reverberating in your chest, making a classic track feel reinvigorated.
The intimate live setting also markedly enriched the track, as the devoted audience sang in impassioned unison with the duo, culminating in a harmoniously euphoric experience, with the catchy pop chorus transformed into a communal anthem of affection.
An unforgettable shared moment.
With an immaculate repertoire of classic songs at their disposal, Bananarama delivered a nostalgia-driven roller coaster of a show, firmly cementing their status as The Ultimate Girl Group.