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 14:25 PM
When I was dating my now husband, we went to see Jack Johnson in Atlanta. It was open air, in a storm. Dancing in the warm rain. Amazing memories!
06-09-2023 14:27 PM
Dancing in the warm rain at an open airJack Johnson concert. My husband and I were still dating - amazing memories 😍😍😍
06-09-2023 14:26 PM
The best gig I've been to was Prince at the O2 Arena in London when he performed for 21 nights. In my opinion he's the most talented musician of our generation and getting to see him live was a real privilege - what a performer!
06-09-2023 14:35 PM
My favourite gig was seeing Prince at the O2 in London when he performed for 21 nights. In my opinion, Prince is the most talented musician of our generation, so I feel very lucky to have seen him perform - and what a show it was too - amazing!
06-09-2023 14:35 PM
Always a fan of the 90's music! Natalie Imbruglia was a great part of it!
06-09-2023 14:33 PM
Paul Weller Nottingham.. Long time favourite artist since the Jam days
06-09-2023 14:39 PM
I watched coheed and Cambria at o2 in Bristol and it was the first time I’ve seen someone play a double guitar above their head. Legendary.
06-09-2023 14:51 PM
When my daughter, wife and I went to see Justin Fletcher (Mr. Tumbles) live at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. It made my daughter so very happy and us too to see the smiles on her face.
06-09-2023 15:02 PM
When my family and I went to see Justin Fletcher (Mr. Tumbles) live at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. The reaction, smiles and laughter...all the excitement was a perfect family memory!
06-09-2023 15:04 PM
Blondie 1979 - first gig. Brilliant
06-09-2023 15:19 PM
My fav gig was Ed Sheeran at St James Park. February 2018, it was electric atmosphere. Ann-Marie open the show, she was fantastic as well.
06-09-2023 15:32 PM
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06-09-2023 15:34 PM
Shed Seven in Leeds were amazing this year! The atmosphere was great and vocals incredible.
06-09-2023 15:38 PM
My favourite live gig was Tears for Fears live at the motorpoint arena in Nottingham. Roland Orzabal's vocal range has to be heard to believe it. Such an amazing concert .
06-09-2023 15:42 PM
I have never been to any live performance and this wonderful event, I could imagine would be amazing as a first time experience 🤞.
06-09-2023 16:13 PM
Watching the Last Night At The Astoria, I was a sixth former and had the best time of my life with plenty of photos with stars of the day. Next day at school however was a nightmare!
06-09-2023 16:17 PM
I went to see The 1975 in 2012 at Maida Vale studios for future sounds. There was about 15 of us in the room compared to the other studio that had around 80 people. They were great and I went by myself as no one wanted to go with me to see artists they didn’t know. Laura mvula played straight after. Tickets were free!
06-09-2023 16:19 PM
Fat Boy Slim in Nottingham 🥳
06-09-2023 16:20 PM
Elton John on the comedy carpet in Blackpool great gig but dreadful weather very windy
06-09-2023 16:24 PM
Elton John on the comedy carpet in Blackpool great gig but the weather was dreadful windy
06-09-2023 16:34 PM
Muse, supported by Elbow and Martin Grech at Wembley Arena in November 2003.
I knew Martin, as we grew up in the same town. He had something like 7 guitarists on stage.
Then on came Elbow, and there were 5 on stage. These guys made even more noise, and so tight.
And finally Muse. Just 3 guys, and they made even more noise than Elbow.
And when I say noise, I mean a coherrent epic sound.
They were perfect, absolutely awesome. Amazing musicians and amazing vocals.
06-09-2023 16:38 PM
Never been to a live gig so this would be a new experience
06-09-2023 17:01 PM
My all time favorite live gig was the "101" concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in 1988 as they were at their prime...so was I!
06-09-2023 17:05 PM
My favorite gig was Depeche Mode's "101" concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in 1988 as they were at their prime...so was I!
06-09-2023 17:12 PM
Deacon Blue, at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Absolutely amazing!! The sound, the atmosphere & when they started singing 'Fergus Wings The Blues', I had to check th ceiling as I honestly believed the ceiling was going to collapse, as the place began absolutely jumping. Best ever, beating others like, Adele, Queen, Michael Jackson & even Coldplay!!!!
06-09-2023 17:23 PM
Micheal Buble, Birmingham NEC. Absolutely fantastic. We live 350 miles away in Cornwall and it was worth every single mile 😊
06-09-2023 17:41 PM
Uncle Lumpy & The Fish Doctors, Connaught Park, Dover, 1980s. Glorious summer day, great food, great company and a great, amusing local band
06-09-2023 18:02 PM
What has been your favourite live gig and why?
As regards listening: Proms in 2003. It was the first and only time I've been and the music and atmosphere was just great. As regards playing in a live gig, Kachaturian Violin Concerto in Nairobi Orchestra in 2009.
06-09-2023 18:14 PM
Gary Barlow live in Cardiff - Was a surprise birthday present from my hubby as I'd wanted to see him for so long. Loved Gary and loved my hubby! 🙂
06-09-2023 18:19 PM
My favourite was Gary Barlow in Cardiff - My hubby bought me the tickets as a special surprise birthday present and it was the best show ever. Loved Gary and loved my hubby for arranging it!
06-09-2023 18:32 PM
Some years ago (2013?) I went to a Bruce Springsteen concert in Milan. The Boss was there in great form and gave us a magical night! Everybody in the audience was nice and well behaved and singing along until we had no more voice. We felt connected and intimate at times despite the large space and the huge number of people. That's what music does to you!
06-09-2023 18:43 PM
Seeing Bicep at Margate was awesome..the sound was amazing and we danced our socks off 💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼😁
06-09-2023 18:47 PM
In 1977 I attended an unbelievable performance by Camel of their stunning album The Snow Goose at Birmingham Town Hall. The perfect venue with perfect acoustics, great seats and with the brilliant company of friends. Never been matched...yet...
06-09-2023 18:57 PM
Boring fart never been to a live gig☹️
06-09-2023 18:57 PM
My favourite has to be Led Zeppelin at Knebworth (in 1979 I think) because they were simply **bleep** awesome
06-09-2023 18:59 PM
Favourite live gig was Our Lady Peace playing the Shepherds Bush Academy. Little known band in the UK but I'm a huge fan so was stoked they were playing outside Canada. Intimate and brilliant gig but they haven't played the UK since.
06-09-2023 19:14 PM
Skrillex at the o2 academy in Brixton. It was the first live gig I went to in uni and was hooked since then.
06-09-2023 19:21 PM
Went to lytham st annes festival courtesy of a good friend to see jk. If I win I would love to return the favour good luck everyone
06-09-2023 19:22 PM
Stevie Wonder @ The O2. A living legend with talent, personality and a music back catalogue that are all UNMATCHED!
06-09-2023 19:26 PM
Stevie Wonder live at the O2. A man with talent, personality, and a musical back catalogue that is unmatched!