STEPS-tacular evening at Motorpoint Arena

There was a birthday in the office this week, so, when you’ve been stuck indoors for the best part of 2 years, what better way to celebrate than a night out with the girls!

The brief was a night of entertainment, dancing and fun, cue STEPS and their comeback tour. If you love a bit of cheesy pop, like us, there was no other choice! Without giving away the birthday girl’s age, the gang is certainly old enough to know all of the songs from the first time round as well as many of the covers that the band are famous for.

This was the first time that many of us have ventured into the city for a night out and there were a few jitters. No need to worry with the arena though, they have everything covered and thoroughly organised.

Outside the venue, bag searches and then a check that everyone entering the arena is double jabbed, helped to allay any covid fears. The arena’s approach to keeping everyone safe is to be commended as are their staff who are nothing but attentive and pleasant. Enough talk about the C word though, fun awaited inside! We whizzed up in the lift to the fabulous Spotlight Bar, beautifully decorated and the perfect spot to perch at the bar, pre concert, with a gin and tonic. We didn’t eat on this occasion but it is worth noting that Spotlight serves amazing food all week, two or three courses to choose from, plus Sunday lunch, all in a socially distanced environment.


We were seated for the concert in one of the glorious executive boxes, in the gods of the arena, and so were treated not only to a fabulous view of the stage but also to our very own waitress making sure that we were fed and watered! 20 years ago, I might have been found on my feet dancing near the stage but as the years have rolled on, this little bit of indulgence suits me and the girls just fine! With space to dance and seats at the front of the box, along with a bar at the back, what isn’t to love?!

We arrived just in time to catch Sophie Ellis-Bexter, STEPS’ support act. Sophie performed all her hits and a few suitable camp covers on her own but very much filled the whole stage with her sparkling presence! Sequins and glitter as far as the eye could see; a great performer!

The ice hockey scoreboard hovered over the stage and gave us a regular countdown to the main event, whipping the crowd up with excitement. Upon the 10 second countdown the scoreboard dropped to the stage only lifting to reveal the glitzy 5-some, and then, boom, they were straight in with the hits and of course those famous dance moves. At some stages in the evening, I was unsure who to watch, STEPS or some of their dedicated fans in the crowd, clearly having practiced every dance move for the last 20+ years!

I don’t think we stopped singing and dancing all evening; just a joy to have fun with friends once again and to see so many people happy and enjoying themselves.

Hats off again to the organisers as we spotted a sign language interpreter near the stage, signing every song to the audience. I’ve never seen this at a concert before and loved that everyone was included in the party.

The evening was a resounding success. It was great to be back at our first concert in over 2 years, to feel confident to be there and to have the chance to indulge in what can only be described as a fun fuelled, Abba-esque, extravaganza!

The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham offers a range of hospitality experiences, along with fantastic conference and event space. For further information about any of their upcoming events click here.
 

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Blog written by Anna Scott - Commercial Partnerships Executive at Visit Nottinghamshire