Pop’s cyclical nature rarely offers artists the space to return on their own terms, but Sugababes have done just that. At Dublin’s 3Arena, the trio delivered a triumphant set that felt more like reclamation than nostalgia—a confident restatement of their place in the pop canon.

The night opened with Luna, Poland’s 2024 Eurovision entrant. Dressed like a space-age Gaga and channeling early Ellie Goulding, she delivered a polished set of electro-pop. Despite performing to a modest early crowd, Luna impressed with her mezzo soprano range and a bold interpolation of Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’. Her closing track Hideaway was a propulsive dance-pop statement, while ‘The Tower’—dedicated to “all the kings and queens”—landed as a sincere gesture to the largely queer, millennial audience gradually filling the venue.

Rose Gray maintained the momentum, leaning hard into ’90s and early-‘00s club influences. Backed by a DJ and clad in a blue “Éire” t-shirt, she bounced through a set heavy on 2-step, garage, and deep house textures. Smoky vocals and energetic movement met backing tracks that wouldn’t feel out of place on an old Euphoria compilation. Tracks like ‘Switch’ and ‘Everything Changes (But I Won’t)’ showcased her knack for vocal acrobatics and dancefloor sensibilities, reminiscent of artists like Katy B and Disclosure.

As the venue gradually filled, the atmosphere shifted. A black curtain obscured the stage until it dropped to reveal the group seated and harmonising on ‘Overload’—a stone-cold classic. From there, the hits kept coming: ‘Hole in the Head’, ‘In the Middle’, and ‘Red Dress’ landed with full force. The harmonies were immaculate, and each member brought her distinct vocal texture: Keisha Buchanan’s sweet clarity, Mutya Buena’s smoky power, and Siobhan Donaghy’s indie-tinged cool.

Choreography was understated, letting the strength of the material shine. The show balanced sleek production with subtle emotional cues—particularly on ‘Too Lost in You’, which carried significant weight. ‘Flowers’, originally released under the MKS banner, retained its spectral 2-step charm, while ‘Round Round’ was reimagined with a rave breakdown.

Visuals played a strong supporting role—archival footage, affirming slogans, and old music video fragments reinforced the group’s long, winding history. A costume change marked the transition into the final third of the set, where new track ‘Jungle’ made its Dublin debut. Its shimmering, electro-pop pulse suggested the trio have lost none of their creative spark.

The closing stretch was relentless: ‘Freak Like Me’, ‘Push the Button’, and finally ‘About You Now’. It was a masterclass in high-gloss pop performance, delivered with warmth and authority. Sugababes aren’t just revisiting their past—they’re reshaping it.

As a live act, they remain as vital and vocally tight as ever. This wasn’t just a trip down memory lane; it was a firm statement of intent.