30-08-2023 14:52 PM - edited 18-10-2023 14:51 PM
You, your bestie and 90's icon Natalie Imbruglia at a show money can't buy... sounds pretty incredible, right? There’re 10 pairs of tickets up for grabs and every SMARTY customer has the chance to enter. Try your luck below.
Tell me more
This money-can’t-buy experience will take place at Virgin Radio's Sunset Sessions with SMARTY on Friday 29th September.
Hosted by drivetime legend Ricky Wilson, Natalie Imbruglia will perform an honest, intimate and stripped back set of her biggest and best hits. This exclusive performance will be set at the top of the NewsUK tower in London as the sun sets across the city – what an experience, right?
But hurry, the competition closing date is just around the corner…
Fancy it?
To enter you’ll need to respond below, telling us “What has been your favourite live gig and why?” We can’t wait to read your answers.
UPDATE - COMPETITION CLOSED
The competition is now closed, and we will make the draw for the winners from all the eligible entries and contact them in the next 24 hours.
So, keep your fingers crossed and an eye on your email inbox. Make sure you check your spam folders too, just in case.
Thanks to everyone who contributed some brilliant entries. We had over 560 posts and have had an amazingly diverse range of response, from Christian festivals to back-room-of-a-pub gigs, from massive stadium concerts to someone’s wedding. It’s been brilliant reading them all. Thank you.
And it’s never too late to see live music; go to a big venue, visit a festival, or just see what your local arts’ centre has on. You never know what you’re going to find.
Keep up the great work everyone; the SMARTY Community belongs to us all and succeeds because of your great contributions.
We were delighted to welcome SMARTY competition winners to watch this intimate performance with Drivetime host Ricky Wilson hosting the event.
06-09-2023 07:00 AM
My best concert was the one and only Freddie Mercury and Queen they were my first ever concert word can not describe how exceptional it was
06-09-2023 07:00 AM
My best gig by far was Sam smith at carling academy glasgow on one of his earlier gigs sound amazing and a real down to earth experience
06-09-2023 07:01 AM
Metallica live at Donnington race track. A full 4hr set as the sun set from these guys below the airport's flight path in the middle of donnington race track. The many years of live experience made this one of the best live gigs I've witnessed!
06-09-2023 07:01 AM
It has to be seeing Travis at Silverstone. I was a volunteer event maker and met up with the other event makers to watch the bands. I said I was heading off as I had no idea who Travis were. My new friend Tish persuaded me to stay, telling me I would know the songs. It was an amazing gig, I did know the songs and I’m so glad I stayed. Travis were amazing live. I grew up with Natalie in Neighbours and would love to see her live! 🤞 thanks for the chance.
06-09-2023 07:03 AM
The one and only Freddie Mercury and queen my first ever concert
Word can not describe how brilliant it was
06-09-2023 07:02 AM
Simple Minds at Roundhay park in Leeds, my first outdoor concert it was amazing! They were amazing 🤩
06-09-2023 07:05 AM
P!nk was awesome - great vocals, almost an olympian in her gymnastics. Can't wait for my next gig!!
06-09-2023 07:06 AM - edited 06-09-2023 07:08 AM
The Flaming Lips at Manchester, O2 Academy. It was special, not only because they put on a spectacular show, but because it was the first show I went to with my family, plus some close friends that I regularly attend gigs with.
06-09-2023 07:06 AM
My favourite gig was Blur, before they were famous in a now knocked down pub, the Duke of York in Leeds. Went with college friends to see two bands playing their mini sets for £2. Intimate, fun and with friends. They were awesome and been a fan ever since
06-09-2023 07:03 AM
The best live concert has to be Coldplay with Natalie Imbruglia as a special guest ,together they were amazing and it makes me have goose bumps just remembering it
Hopefully will get to experience that again
would love the experience again
06-09-2023 07:07 AM
Florence and the machine was the greatest gig. Held at Alexander Palace it was intimate and just out of this world fantastic
06-09-2023 07:07 AM
For me it has to be Thin Lizzy.... Standing just a few feet from Phil Lynott, I'll never forget the energy, sound and images from that evening.... No mobile phone back then. But if I'd have had Smarty I wouldn't have stopped telling my mates all about it.
06-09-2023 07:08 AM
John Denver on around 1991 (when he was alive of course) it was the first concert I ever went to and my dad took me as o had literally grown up listening to John Denver, I was 11 and was just totally star struck!
06-09-2023 07:09 AM
Avril Lavigne live in Hong Kong 10 years ago. Loved her songs so much. "So much for my happy ending." "He was a boy, she was a girl...."
06-09-2023 07:09 AM
My best gig of all time was seeing Dire Straits at Woburn Castle. It was a lovely evening, but had to borrow a coat as it got chilly later.
It was very special, they played all their great hits.
It was also special as my friend died soon after going there. He loved the show.
06-09-2023 07:12 AM
Queen in 1976. The venue staff were amazing as I was on crutches following an operation and they went out of their way to make sure that I got to my seat safely and then at the end they were there to make sure I got out safely too. Queen were awesome as they have always been. What a show
06-09-2023 07:11 AM
Watching Prince during his 21 nights tour at the O2 in London was mind blowing. A great performance with Prince playing almost every instrument - a true legend !
06-09-2023 07:12 AM
Favourite live gig has been Ed Sheeran at Wembley. He was absolutely amazing and his stage presence was incredible
06-09-2023 07:12 AM
Hi I'm sorry, but I've never had the opportunity to go to a live concert before.
06-09-2023 07:14 AM
Summer of 84 concert at Wembley stadium. Great acts, great company and great weather.
Been a very long time... love to research the experience
06-09-2023 07:16 AM
Guns n Roses-Lived up to long held expectations.
06-09-2023 07:17 AM
My favourite live concert was Lionel Richie in Northampton. He is a legend, amazing pure talent and so much energy. His opening act was Anastasia which was a great contrast 🙂 This concert is my favourite memory as it was a calm atmosphere which was perfect as I was 4 months pregnant with my baby girl 😊
06-09-2023 07:18 AM
My favourite concert was Dire Straits at Woburn . A magical setting on a lovely starry night. They played all their great hits. Especially poignant as our friend died soon after the gig, tragically young, but always remembered.
06-09-2023 07:18 AM
It has got to be PINK in Hyde park this summer. Most amazing live performance I have ever seen in my life. The atmosphere, vibes. Simply a memory I will long to match or beat. Live performances are my favourite even above holidays!! They’re addictive, soul lifting and bring people together in harmony
06-09-2023 07:19 AM
Seeing Paul McCartney play Anfield in 2008 when Liverpool was City of Culture The buzz around the city was great & Paul put on a brilliant show for his hometown Wonderful night & amazing memories of a brilliant set
06-09-2023 07:20 AM
Watching Iggy Pop at the Manchester Apollo in 1977. David Bowie was on keyboards to help re-launch Iggy's career. I suspect a large number of people were there just to see Bowie.
Lust for Life has never sounded better
06-09-2023 07:19 AM
Watching the artist Lights on a boat in Bristol as it was very up close and personal.
06-09-2023 07:21 AM
It has to be Radiohead at Glastonbury festival, I had missed them in Paris when they were touring for In Rainbows and being a Glasto newbie that was just the best experience ever
06-09-2023 07:21 AM
My favourite gig in recent memory was Jessie Ware performing in Newcastle. It was the first gig I went to after two years of lockdowns. Being back in a crowd and watching live music just hit different this time. Super special moment with great friends!
06-09-2023 07:21 AM
Every concert and performance is amazing, however, James Bay at the Royal Albert has been my favourite so far. I have been a fan for so long, and when we moved to the UK over a year ago I had hoped to catch him somewhere ... Then, he announced the show at the Royal Albert which was a bucket list venue, I jumped at the chance. The show was insane, the story telling beautiful, and his performance amazing. I'll never forget that night!!!
06-09-2023 07:23 AM
Tina Turner in Birmingham
SIMPLY THE BEST
06-09-2023 07:22 AM
Lana del Rey , Hyde park
06-09-2023 07:24 AM
Dolly Parton. Because she is the best.
06-09-2023 07:25 AM
David Bowie at Milton Keynes, beautiful weather and a stunning performance from the legendary music chameleon.
06-09-2023 07:27 AM
Would love to win
06-09-2023 07:23 AM
Michael Jackson at Wembley
amazing performances
06-09-2023 07:23 AM
Bruce (The Boss) Springsteen 10 July 1988 Sheffield. Amazing concert and set, topped by him pulling me from the crowd to dance with him to Dancing in the Dark
06-09-2023 07:28 AM
Coldplay in Manchester was unbeatable. Weather was incredible and the atmosphere electric. Had seated seats high up and got to watch the fans below living their best life! unreal 😬
06-09-2023 07:28 AM
REM at Huddersfield back in the 90s supported by The Beautiful South. My first big gig and they were brilliant. Red hot day, cracking atmosphere and I just couldn't get my head around the fact REM were playing in my home town.
06-09-2023 07:30 AM
My best gig was spice girls in 2019. It wasn't just the girls on stage that made it the best night it was the whole atmosphere and the people there. Everyone felt accepted at them gigs 🌈