Queerguru’s Andrew Hebden reviews ‘the unapologetic fun’ of GALS ALOUD at Here@Outernet, London

Gals Aloud  ***Here@OuternetImagine a boozy Friday night at your local, where the karaoke starts off a little… well, let’s say ‘enthusiastic’, and then, through some queer alchemy, transforms into a full-blown, stadium-worthy concert. That is Gals Aloud at Here@Outernet. A glittering tribute that injects the legendary Girls Aloud with a hefty dose of satirical, but loving, drag magic. The unapologetic fun was lapped up by a nostalgic and up-for-it gaggle of the Girls Aloud fanboys and their enthusiastic Gal pals.Here@Outernet is a shiny new venue in the former armpit of the West End, Tottenham Court Road. A vast, immersive space with impossibly large screens, making the audience feel like they are in a pop video with their idols. The lighting is state of the art, but oddly, for a venue conceived by former music industry veterans, the music system was having an off night, or more likely was designed for bass at the expense of vocals. For those living under a glam-free, fun-free, rock, Girls Aloud were a manufactured, reality TV show pop group that went supernova in the noughties. They lived the dream. An endless succession of fierce pop bangers, scandals, rehab and rivalry. Girls Aloud were icons for a certain generation, who were all at the outernet to relive their golden years.Drag queens love icons, and the Gals Aloud locked onto Girls Aloud  with the full force of their acrylic talons. Cherly Hole, Kitty Scott-Claus, Vanity MIlan, Herr, Ophelia Love, and Lydia L’Scabies , all drag stars in their own right, thoroughly embraced the Team Werk. They lip synced for their life through the Girls biggest tunes. The music was interspersed with the Girls most embarrassing interview flubs, and their backstage backbiting.Gals Aloud is a bit of nostalgic musical fun, a chance to remember the recent past through the filter of a pop video. A friday night drinks with your mates singalong for people who love camp, karaoke and queensQueerguru Contributing Editor ANDREW HEBDEN is a MEDIA and cultural STUDIES graduate spending his career between London, Beijing, and NYC as an expert in media and social trends. As part of the expanding minimalist FIRE movement, he recently returned to the UK and lives in Soho. He devotes as much time as possible to the movies, theatre, and the gym. His favorite thing is to try something (anything) new every day