Steps first saw chart success in 1999 with their second studio album Steptacular; the album debuted at the top spot on Halloween of the same year. They next secured a UK number one with their first greatest hits album, Gold: Greatest Hits; the album was released in 2001 and contained their cover of the Diana Ross hit “Chain Reaction”. The newly re-formed band then scored a hat trick with The Ultimate Collection in 2011; the release was the group’s third compilation album and featured a cover of ABBA’s megahit “Dancing Queen”, the track marked the band’s first recorded song in a decade.

Within an exclusive conversation with OfficialCharts.com, Steps stated, “We could NOT be more thrilled that our Platinum Collection is this week’s UK Official Number 1 album! We have the best fans in the world, and this is all down to their incredible support. It’s unbelievable to think that we’ve now broken records, becoming the first British, mixed-gender group to score four Number 1 albums across four consecutive decades! What a way to celebrate our 25th birthday!”

Two years ago, it was confirmed that The Rolling Stones had achieved a similar feat after the album Goats Head Soup had reached the top of the UK album charts. The 2020 release meant that the band broke an official record in achieving a number one album across six separate decades, making them the first band in history to do so. Goats Head Soup was the band’s 11th studio album released in Britain and has enjoyed two occasions as the UK’s number one album. The album was initially released in 1973; upon its initial release, it debuted at the top of the UK album charts.

Also included within the elite club are Welsh rockers Stereophonics and Disco legends ABBA. In November 2020 it was confirmed that pop princess Kylie Minogue has also been awarded a similar accolade. The UK Official Charts confirmed that the singer was the first female act to score a number one album within five separate decades. The “Better The Devil You Know” icon secured this feat after her album DISCO reached the top of the UK album charts in November 2020.

Steps’ most recent number one album not only catalyzed their chart record but was also released to celebrate the band’s 25th anniversary. Comprising of band members Lee Latchford- Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Steps first came to fame after their formation in 1997. After a five-year hiatus, the band reformed for the second time in 2017; since coming back together, the iconic pop singers have released new music and performed several live shows.

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A statement from the group has been released concerning the upcoming release, “We cannot believe this year marks our 25th anniversary! Someone recently mentioned that the latest era of Steps has actually now outlasted our original run which was a delightful surprise. This anniversary marks the perfect moment to take a look back at everything we’ve achieved as a band.”

The statement continues to describe the collection, “We realised that we’ve released a full 3 new studio albums since our last Greatest Hits so it felt like time to combine all our hits on one package. We’ve recorded two brand-new tracks for the album and presto, the ‘Platinum Collection’ was born. It was such good fun listening back at 25 years of our songs and we hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane as much we did.”

The group first rose to fame in 1997 but disbanded in 2001, following an extended hiatus rumours concerning a possible union began to circulate in 2011. In October of 2011, the band confirmed their re-formation and announced dates for The Ultimate Tour. The group’s reformation included all original members, Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian H Watkins.

Much speculation has resurfaced after the confirmation of the upcoming album due to the band’s previous relationship with Greatest Hits albums. The bands initial disbanding took place after the release of their 2001 greatest hits album Gold: Greatest Hits. Scott-Lee spoke with The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column to reassure fans that history will not repeat itself, “We haven’t talked about splitting up because Steps is for ever and there is so much love out there for the group.”

Ahead of the new release, the “5,6,7,8” hitmakers have also released the “Platinum Megamix” across all popular streaming services. The re-worked musical montage of the band’s career was also released via YouTube on 1st June 2022, the track was also accompanied by a nostalgic music video. The megamix has been described as “a fabulous reminder of all their gigantic hits from the past two and a half decades.”

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Pre-sale for The Platinum Collection has now opened, the album will be released in various formats for fans to collect and purchase. Along with a digital release, the album will be available as a standard CD, Deluxe double CD, Cassette and Vinyl. Music fans will also be able to obtain five special solo editions, this format will also contain a playlist curated by Steps, the specially created collection will chart the band’s success and influence.

Click here to pre-order The Platinum Collection.

The legendary rock band have taken to their Instagram to announce the news to fans.

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The broadcasting conglobate have planned a series of concerts for this year featuring various artists, the iconic welsh band are the third act announced to perform. Due to the limited sized audience available at the concert, from 11th September 2021, the performance will be available to view on BBC iPlayer and on BBC Sounds. The special gig’s highlights will also be broadcasted on BBC Radio 2 the next evening from 7 pm-9 pm.

The Brit award winners will perform at Cardiff’s famed venue, St David’s Hall, home to the annual concert Welsh Proms Cardiff. James Dean Bradfield, frontman of the ‘A Design For Life’ rockers, has spoken on the importance and symbolisation of the group’s performance at St David’s Hall. “We are really excited to be playing St David’s Hall in Cardiff on August 12th for Radio 2 Live. I’ve seen bands and artists including The Waterboys, Echo and the Bunnymen, John Grant and Gary Numan perform on stage there, and myself and Nicky Wire busked outside of it in the mid 80s. Hopefully we can add to the musical memories we have experienced there.”

Head of Radio 2, Helen Thomas has also expressed the station’s excitement for the new concert series. Thomas states the purpose of the new series, Radio 2 Live, whilst confirming the other two acts included within the station’s productions. “New for 2021 and beyond, Radio 2 Live will take the spirit of our very special radio station around the UK. Manic Street Preachers delivered an incredible performance for Radio 2 Live at Hyde Park in 2018, so we’re thrilled to be bringing them to Cardiff to perform an intimate set for their fans in Wales. Listeners and viewers can watch these exclusive performances from the Manic Street Preachers, Texas and Steps on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer in September.”

Other acts included within the exciting new series are 90’s pop band Steps and Glasgow rock band Texas, the Scottish group known for their long-standing music career and multiple hit songs. Steps are set to perform in Manchester on 10th August 2021, famed for their ‘5,6,7,8’ hit, the group have released the following statement expressing their excitement and stating what ticket-holders can expect from their performance. “We are beyond excited to be performing for Radio 2 Live in Manchester. It will be our first live performance in front of an audience in over three years and we cannot wait. It’ll be a great chance to play some of our latest singles and Steps classics and get warmed up ahead of our UK arena tour this November.”

BBC radio presenter Zoe Ball announced via her breakfast show the date and venue for Texas’ performance in partnership with BBC’s concert series, Radio 2 Live. Texas is confirmed to perform at St Luke’s on 4th August 2021, located within the band’s hometown. The front-woman of Texas, Sharleen Spiteri, has conveyed her thoughts concerning the group’s hometown show. “I’m always excited to play in Glasgow, our hometown! And I’m thrilled to be performing for the first time at St. Luke’s for Radio 2 Live.”

The head of Music for Radio 2, Jeff Smith, has provided the following statement concerning the new concert series’ mission statement whilst expressing his joy to be organising live performances once again. “Radio 2 is committed to bringing live music performance to its listeners as we know how much they love to listen and watch their favourite artists perform the songs they adore. Over the past year, Radio 2 House Music has done a brilliant job with performances from Joan Armatrading, Kelly Clarkson, Rag’n’Bone Man and many more, but now it’s time to get back to live performance in front of an audience. Radio 2 Live is going to feature incredible sets from major artists, in front of what I’m sure will be a very excited audience of Radio 2 listeners.”

In order to attend the event, fans are invited to register by the BBC’s website, the lucky ticket holders will then be chosen via a ballot. Click here to register and be in the running to see Manic Street Preachers, Steps and Texas live.

Steps were once described by producer Pete Waterman as “Abba on speed”. To many, Steps being a part of the Eurovision Song Contest would be an amazing thing and a no brainer. But for the group starting in the late ’90s, there is more to it than a simple yes to the idea. “Although there’s one person that would really like to do it. But to actually do it as a band,  is not something that I personally want to take on.” says one of the group, Tozer. The one person who is fully on board is H and now it’s up to the group to debate the merits.

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Being very popular in the early Naughties and consisting of  Claire Richards, Lee Latchford-Evans, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer, and Ian “H” Watkins. For many born in the early to mid 90s Steps were one of the major pop groups that were played on repeat (alongside S Club 7) and is still to this day is remembered and played by those same people with hits like 5, 6, 7, 8 and Tragedy. When listening to their old hits it’s clear to hear just who steps could fit into the over-the-top amazing styles of Eurovision.

Starting in 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has been a yearly staple ever since. In recent years 43 countries enter the contest starting from a vastly smaller 7 countries (Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Italy), perform a song and each country then votes on who wins, the winning song, and the country will host the next year’s contest. Eurovision is known for its flamboyant, extravagant, over-the-top, and amazing performances (and of course graham Nortons ongoing commentary for the English viewers). Truly a spectacle to experience.  

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Eurovision is a great experience for people to watch, it’s a fun thing to get your friends round and make a party of it. This year (2020) it had to be canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it left a lot of fans missing the yearly extravaganza. In 2019 it was found that a larger amount of younger people were watching Eurovision, in particular, 15 to 24-year-olds. This age group (and a little bit older) are the main listeners and lovers of Steps so it would be an incredible thing for those listeners to see Steps on the Song Contest.

In a recent interview with MyLondon news, Steps said, “This album really nods to our back catalogue and fans have heard that with the singles, which to us are up there with that ‘classic Steps sound’ like ‘After the Love Has Gone’ and ‘Love’s Got a Hold on My Heart’. But then we’ve got new songs on the album which are more mature-sounding, like ‘Hold My Heart’ and ‘Under My Skin’ – which is favourite of H and Claire’s – so it’s a very mixed bag for Steps fans”.

The album release has come at the same time as Miley Cyrus releases her 7th album ‘Plastic Hearts,’ therefore there will likely be another pop battle for the Number 1 chart spot next week, which occurred earlier this month between Kylie and girl group Little Mix. Steps said to MyLondon news that,  “It doesn’t feel like we’re in competition because of the way the charts are now, not everyone is chasing for a number one at the end of the week. These days we’re more doing it for the fans and it doesn’t feel like we have to ‘take over the world’, because the people that want us are able to hear us and we can release great new stuff for them and people that don’t know us are getting to know us via all these amazing platforms”.

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The group have confirmed that they have added extra dates for their ‘What The Future Holds‘ tour in Birmingham, Manchester and London. Fans can expect to see the group perform songs from their latest album as well as classic Steps tracks such as ‘One For Sorrow,’ ‘Last Thing On My Mind,’ ‘Tragedy,’ and ‘5,6,7,8.’ The band told BirminghamLive, “We know what the stage is going to look like and that’s really exciting because it’s something we’ve never done before. But in terms of the setlist we think we’re going to have our work cut out because we’ve got so much material to choose from now and it’s impossible to keep everybody happy isn’t it? So we’ll try – but there might be quite a few melodies in there”. Tickets will go on sale from 27th November and can be brought here.

2021 Tour Dates

2/11/2021 – FlyDSA Arena – Sheffield
3/11 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
5/11 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
6/11 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
8/11– Utilita Arena – Newcastle
11/11-  AO Arena – Manchester
12/11 – AO Arena – Manchester
13/11 – P&J Live – Aberdeen
15/11 –  SSE Arena – Belfast
18/11– M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
19/11 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
22/11 – The SSE Hydro – Glasgow
23/11 – The SSE Hydro – Glasgow
25 /11– Centre – Brighton
26 /11 – The O2 – London
27/11 –  The O2 – London
29/11 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
1/12– International Centre – Bournemouth

The group’s website gives a glowing overview of the upcoming record. According to their description, the ‘versatile’ new album was produced with help from Fiona Bevan (who has written for One Direction and Lewis Capaldi), Ina Wroldsen (writer for Britney Spears and Shakira), Karl Twigg (a collaborator on Steps’ first three albums), and a host of fresh contributors. On their new team, the band said: ‘We will never forget the past with Steps, it’s what made us… but we’ve got to look to the future too’.

The British band has called What The Future Holds their ‘most ambitious album to date’. They went on to say: ‘What the Future Holds is the best distillation of Steps so far; an album that shows both a deeper shade of blue and a brighter future… Showcasing the big melodic choruses of [our] top-tier bangers but also bringing back the harmony-laden ballads and some atmospheric mid-tempos’.

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We are SO excited to announce our 2021 #FutureHolds tour! Pre-order our new album What The Future Holds from the Steps Superstore now (link in our bio) for exclusive pre-sale ticket access next Tues Sep 15th. Tickets and VIP experiences on general sale Friday Sep 18th at 10am

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Steps are perhaps best known for their late 1990’s dance-pop beginnings, with hit singles such as 5, 6, 7, 8, One For Sorrow, and Tragedy first attracting an international audience. In 1999, the group’s Next Step tour was the biggest-selling UK pop tour to date; they received the ‘Best Selling Live Act’ BRIT award in 2000. However, despite their huge success, the band suffered significant in-group tensions and split the following year. They did not reunite until 2011.

A year after their 2012 comeback album was released and touring concluded, the band announced that they were ‘taking a break’, but not splitting. Their first post-hiatus album, 2017’s Tears On The Dancefloor, drew much greater critical and commercial success. Clash Magazine said the record was ‘Tremendous fun… packed to the rafters with absolute bangers’. The album entered the UK charts at number two (behind Ed Sheeran), and its 22-date supporting tour saw a massive turnout of enthusiastic fans.

2020’s What The Future Holds is set to be a nostalgic yet forward-thinking addition to Steps’ discography, and its 14-date UK tour is likely to be among the most anticipated of 2021. You can pre-order the new album, concert tickets, and VIP packages here. Steps’ UK tour dates are as follows:

November 2021

02/11/21 – FlyDSA Arena – Sheffield
03/11 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
05/11 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
08/11 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle
11/11 – AO Arena – Manchester
13/11 – P&J Live – Aberdeen
15/11 – SSE Arena – Belfast
18/11 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
19/11 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
22/11 – The SSE Hydro – Glasgow
25/11 – The Brighton Centre – Brighton
26/11 – The O2 – London
29/11 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff

December 2021

01/12/21 Bournemouth International Centre – Bournemouth