A noughties pop star shocked the audience when he returned 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 is the first time he has appeared on stage in 24 years. Romeo Dunn of So Solid Crew rose to fame 25 years ago when he joined the 19-member group. Other members were 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 leaving the band, Romeo Dunn chose to pursue a solo career, and managed to score a top 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 most recent appearance at a bingo hall saw him perform a group song called “Oh No”. Although the performance was more for fun and a way to take advantage of the intimate setting of a bingo hall, it’s really exciting to see how far he’s come since leaving the band, and according to fans, he still has the same star power he had when he performed with So Solid Crew.
Bingo halls are becoming popular venues for performers
Although bingo halls were huge in the 70s and 80s, it is safe to say that they have undergone a huge transformation over the years. Much of this is due to the digital world. Online bingo games now offer not only themed rooms, but also the opportunity to play with people from all over the country. This, combined with unique online promotions, helps to not only make the experience more immersive but also more accessible. With 50% of people preferring to play bingo online, traditional gambling venues have had to change their priorities as a way to maintain their foothold. That’s why many bingo places nowadays not only open their doors for music games, but also for business events. Some have even turned into cinemas to become full entertainment complexes. Other bands that have previously performed at bingo venues 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 diverse as time goes on.
With more and more artists choosing to perform at bingo venues, due to 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 little environment for performers to regain their footing after some time away, and it also takes the pressure off of performing in a large venue with thousands of people. Surprise appearances also help create a lot of hype, which is good for publicity.
