A noughties pop star left audiences stunned as he made his return to the stage. Interestingly, instead of performing at a venue that could easily accommodate his fan base, he chose to play at a local bingo hall. His return marks the first time he has performed on a stage in 24 years. Romeo Dunn from the So Solid Crew shot to fame 25 years ago when he joined the 19-member group. Other members included Oxide, Lisa Mafia, Asher D, and Neutrino. Some of the hit songs included 21 Seconds and chart-toppers like They Don’t Know.
Romeo Dunn Chose to Pursue a Solo Career
After departing from the band, Romeo Dunn chose to pursue a solo career, managing to do a chart-topping hit known as It’s All Gravy with Christina Milian back in 2002. He also had a stint on Celebrity Big Brother, where he finished in sixth place. His recent performance at a bingo hall saw him perform a group song called “Oh No”. Even though the performance was more for fun and a way to capitalise on the intimate setting of a bingo hall, it’s certainly exciting to see how far he has come since leaving the band, and according to fans, he’s still got the same star power he did when he performed with So Solid Crew.
Bingo Halls are Becoming Popular Venues for Artists
Even though bingo halls were huge in the ‘70s and ‘80s, it’s safe to say that they have undergone a huge transformation over the years. A lot of this comes down to the digital world. Online bingo games now not only offer themed rooms, but also the opportunity to play with people from across the country. This, combined with unique online promotions, not only helps to make the experience more immersive but also more accessible. As 50% of people prefer to play bingo online, traditional venues have had to shift their priorities as a way to maintain footfall. That’s why a lot of bingo venues in this day and age not only open their doors to music acts, but also to business functions. Some have even been transformed into cinemas to become full entertainment complexes. Other bands who have performed at bingo venues in the past include the Jimi Hendrix Experience, who performed at a bingo hall in Boston in 1967. 5ive also performed at a bingo hall in Hull in 2018, showing how entertainment is changing and how venues are becoming much more versatile as time goes on.
With more and more artists choosing to perform at bingo venues, because of how unique they are and how they offer such an intimate setting, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more older Noughties bands step up. Bingo venues provide the perfect small setting for artists to regain their footing after some time away, and it also takes away from the pressure of performing at a large venue with thousands of people. Surprise performances also help to generate a lot of hype, which is great for publicity.
