En Vogue for Dublin outdoor Iveagh Gardens show
American R&B trio En Vogue are coming back to Dublin.
This show features original members Cindy Herron-Braggs, Terry Ellis, and long-standing member, Rhona Bennett.
En Vogue play Live at the Iveagh Gardens on July 4th next summer.
Tickets are €54.85 plus fees and are already on sale at 10am from Ticketmaster.
From the moment their hit debut single “Hold On” dropped in early 1990, every music lover knew the game had been forever changed. By the time their debut album, Born to Sing, was released April 3, they were undeniable. And 30 years later, history has proven that prediction right. To honor En Vogue’s 30th anniversary, Rhino/WMG has released an expanded and remastered digital version of a 21-track collection featuring a selection of rare mixes, many of which are only now available digitally.
Critics marveled at the harmonizing voices of Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson and Maxine Jones. Fans weren’t only enthralled by the group’s vocal prowess; En Vogue’s collective style and grace also captivated them. These women completely embodied and absolutely exceeded the original vision of producers/songwriters Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy. In an industry full of imitators, En Vogue distinguished themselves as innovators in both fashion and music. Whether dressed in black leather or visions in white, there’s nothing that has ever been cookie-cutter with the ‘Funky Divas’. With talent running over, it was little surprise that Born to Sing went nearly double platinum.
And the hits kept coming: “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” the Aretha Franklin remake “Giving Him Something He Can Feel” and “Free Your Mind” came from the Funky Divas, their 1992 sophomore effort, and “Don’t Let Go [Love]” from the Set It Off soundtrack and EV3, their third album in 1996 and 1997 respectively. They also joined forces with pioneering female rappers Salt-N-Pepa for 1993’s “Whatta Man,” an ode to good men everywhere.
Through it all, En Vogue proved that not only could they sing, but they also had plenty to say, weighing in on stereotyping, racism and sexism, while also standing up for love and peace. Beauty, brains, talent and style defined them, not just sex appeal. And it was an unbeatable combination. One that has yielded 7 MTV Music Video Awards, 3 Soul Train Music Awards, 2 American Music Awards, a Billboard and Lady of Soul Award and countless Grammy nominations. To date, En Vogue has garnered 221 million US streams and 325 worldwide streams, with 60 million YouTube views.
With a brand built on talent, style and grace, thirty years later, En Vogue, now a trio, still reign supreme with original members Cindy Herron Braggs and Terry Ellis joined by the incredible Rhona Bennett. Prior to joining En Vogue in 2003, Bennett’s solo highlights includes stint alongside musical powerhouses Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears on the Disney Channel’s The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, as well as a recurring role as Nicole on The Jamie Foxx Show.
En Vogue’s creative freedom has always been on display. In 2004 their sixth album, Soul Flower hit the Billboard Top 20 for indie albums. In 2018, Electric Café, produced the Ne-Yo-penned Top 10 hit single, “Rocket,” and their Top 20 follow-up, “Reach 4 Me” and in 2019, they collaborated with Chance the Rapper alongside Kierra Sheard and Ari Lennox on “I Got You (Always and Forever) for his album, The Big Day. Actress and producer Taraji P. Henson tapped them to appear in an episode of the final season of the groundbreaking TV series Empire for her directorial debut. Dresses from their iconic “Giving Him Something He Can Feel,” video housed in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, DC illustrate En Vogue’s profound impact, historically and culturally, in both music and fashion.
“Respecting the fact that we’re all individuals and respecting everyone’s decision to be and have what they want and what they choose,” is one of the reasons founding member Terry Ellis gives for En Vogue’s enduring legacy. “It’s never been about one particular member; it’s our collective harmonies that creates the essence of the En Vogue sound” To further celebrate their 30th anniversary, En Vogue is treating their fans to their very own “Funky Divas” podcast. Available on all platforms, as well as the EV YouTube Channel, “Funky Divas” shares En Vogue’s collective journey, detailing everything from how En Vogue came to be to how they flipped the meaning of the word ‘diva’ and more. Other special treats include interviews with such special guests as En Vogue founders Foster and McElroy and legendary choreographer and creative director Frank Gatson and more. “We love what we do,” shares Cindy Herron-Braggs on the group’s secret to success. And the fans do too! “We’re blessed to have a fan base that wants to come out and see us perform; they’ve been there from the beginning. Thirty years and counting, those harmonies are still ‘holding on,’ with En Vogue always in the groove!
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Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.