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Review: Little Mix at the Kent Event Centre in Maidstone

By: Katie Davis

Published: 11:11, 23 July 2018

Updated: 11:36, 23 July 2018

Parking perils, gallons of glitter and thousands of excitable fans - it could only mean Little Mix had arrived in Kent.

The epitome of millennial girl power commanded the stage at Detling's Kent Event Centre.

The Shout Out To My Ex singers put on a thrilling show that even got dragged-along-dads dancing.

Little Mix at The Kent Showground..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195200)

On paper, their job for evening was simple.

Belt out their hits, flick their hair and chat with the audience.

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It's fair to say they delivered.

It is hard to believe that just seven years ago these four women were shyly auditioning for X-Factor.

Little Mix at The Kent Showground..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195186)

What is even more astounding is that many fans at the gig were not even born when Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson and Leigh-Anne Pinnock stormed the show in 2011.

But that hasn’t stopped the youngsters from idolising the pop-band, with screams rippling through a sea of light-up bunny-ears and hair braids.

It was easy to see why thousands of fans forced their parents to take them to the show featuring one of the biggest bands to play in the county this decade.

With a school-disco vibe, scores of youngsters dressed head to toe in glitter danced and sang along with friends.

Little Mix at The Kent Showground..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195188)

The girl group performed with bags of confidence and charismastic charm as they worked their way through numbers including Hair, Touch and Black Magic.

Contrary to heaps of photos of the band, they are capable of cracking a smile.

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Taking it in turns to talk between songs, the four knew their audience - playing a "who can cheer the loudest" competition.

With an estimated 30,000 people there, squeals and shouts were definitely not in short supply - but this just added to the atmosphere and was a clear indicator of just how popular the band has become.

Little Mix at The Kent Showground..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195194)
Little Mix at The Kent Showground. From Left: Pictured are Lara Hall (9) & Millie Newman (9) from Faversham..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195184)
Little Mix at The Kent Showground..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195170)

The only real question mark hanging over the show was the production of it, which had much to be desired.

Except for four male dancers, a few flashing images and the odd firework and streamer explosion, it was a highly simplistic set - with no backing band.

Judging by the demographic, however, this was of no concern, with the group conjuring a frenzy as the opening notes played out of their much-loved hits.

kmfm DJ Rob Wills had got the party going, before Australian sisters Germein and X Factor's Rak-Su riled up fans with their support acts.

Little Mix at The Kent Showground. Pictured is KMFM's Rob Wills..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195167)
Little Mix at The Kent Showground..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195181)
Little Mix at The Kent Showground..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195179)
Little Mix at The Kent Showground..Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone.Picture: Andy Jones. (3195190)

It was undoubtable that Rak-Su had the better reception of the two, busting out hip-hop numbers and engaging with fans in a cheeky manner.

But it was Little Mix fans really want to see - they're the friendship group every girls wants to be a part of and their songs are the soundtrack to countless childhoods.

And it really is undeniable that they've got the power.

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