Police were called to the Angel of the North on Thursday night after a surprise performance by former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall drew hundreds of fans and disrupted traffic near a busy carriageway ahead of the release of her debut solo album.
Photographs from the event showed police vehicles arriving at the field beside the landmark after more than 1,000 people responded to just-hours' notice of the show. Officers worked to manage parked cars and keep traffic moving after fans reportedly left vehicles near a slip road with limited public transport serving the location.
Thirlwall, 32, performed five tracks from inside a converted metal food truck set in a field just off a motorway. Wearing a Newcastle United football jersey, she smiled and waved as crowds cheered; her mother, Norma, was also visible among attendees. The performance took place the night before That's Showbiz Baby was released and came as Thirlwall prepares to begin her first solo tour across the United Kingdom and Ireland in October.
That's Showbiz Baby includes previously released singles such as Angel Of My Dreams, Midnight Cowboy, Fantasy and Plastic Box. Angel Of My Dreams has been a significant solo success for Thirlwall, and her tracks have amassed a combined total of roughly 215 million streams.
Thirlwall said of the record, "This album has been years in the making, so I'm beyond excited that it's coming out. I'm very proud of 'THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY!' as a body of work and can't wait to share it with the world. To be able to perform the album live later this year is also a dream come true. See you all on tour!"
Officials were called to the scene after motorists parked close to a slip road, creating congestion for commuters on an adjacent dual carriageway. Police attempted to manage the disruption and, according to images from the night, called for additional resources to help keep traffic moving while the impromptu show continued.
The performance and album release come as Thirlwall continues to build her solo profile following Little Mix's decade-long run after they were formed on The X Factor in 2011. Former Little Mix members Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have also pursued solo projects; collectively the group sold about 75 million records and won a Brit Award for best British group.
Thirlwall has spoken publicly in recent months about personal challenges amid her solo career. In an interview with The Guardian she said she faces a "daily battle" not to start using the weight-loss drug Ozempic because of a past history of eating disorders, adding that she does not judge others who use it but is concerned about the potential impact on her own recovery. She also described online trolling related to her appearance since leaving the group.
Despite the disruption to nearby roads, attendees appeared to enjoy the brief, intimate performance, and Thirlwall was seen beaming as fans cheered. Organizers have not released further details about permits or crowd-management plans for the event. Her solo tour, which will feature material from That's Showbiz Baby, begins in October and will cover venues in the UK and Ireland.