The First Bands and Groups Team Experiences Loved

Tomorrow (Saturday 19th October) sees the seventh annual National Album Day take place. In partnership with BBC Radio 2 and Kilimanjaro Live, this now yearly event celebrates one of the greatest traditions in music, which is of course the album. And even through the history of changing formats: vinyl, cassette, CD, digital download and now streaming, an artist's complete body of work on one release has remained an important part of so many people's lives.

The theme of the event this year is celebrating Great British Groups, with a series of limited edition vinyl releases from The Lightning Seeds, Mumford and Sons, Stereophonics and even Take That being issued to mark the occasion. And it got us thinking about the first groups and bands we loved amongst our team here at Experiences UK HQ. So read on and hit play on our YouTube playlisr as we prepare to divulge who the first collective loves of our musical lives were…

Alex MacGregor (Creative Content Manager) - All Saints

The first group I was ever a fan of actually happens to be one of the artists on the National Album Day release list this year. I'll set the scene: it's 1997. I'm 8 or 9 years old, girl power is at its height, and the Spice Girls are the biggest girl group in the world. Jack, my best friend at primary school, who always got new singles as they came out (I was usually waiting until they were in the bargain bin at 50p a pop!), bounded over to us in the playground one lunchtime with his Walkman, and told me about this other new girl group who had just come out and he let me have a listen.

The song in question was "I Know Where It's At", and it was the first thing I heard of from All Saints, four girls - Shaznay Lewis, Melanie Blatt and sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton - from North London and Canada, who were pitched as the Spices' more grittier contemporaries, with a sound more rooted in R&B, soul and hip hop.

A few months after that, I bought the follow-up to that single, the classic "Never Ever", as my first single out of Woolworths with my Christmas money. It is one of the few songs from the 90s that has so beautifully transcended the ephemeral nature of the charts as they were then, where you can still hear it on the radio today and it still sounds fresh.

Jack and I were both big fans of All Saints from that point, always coming in on non uniform days wearing camo combats and Timberland style boots like they did. Many years later, I was then lucky enough to meet them all in 2016, when I saw them in Southend at Cliffs Pavilion on the tour for their comeback album, Red Flag, which is still one of the best concerts I've ever been to.

What appealed to me was their streetwise edge but immaculate four part harmonies and air of credibility they brought to the table which has stood the test of time. They also had such a gifted songwriter in Shaznay, who wrote many of their biggest hits including the aforementioned "Never Ever" and "Pure Shores", the latter of which won an Ivor Novello award for songwriting, and she's also written for other artists since including Little Mix. They definitely paved the way for the likes of Sugababes to breakthrough in being a pop group that was that rare combination of having both critical acclaim and a big fanbase.

Violet Daniels (Content Writer / Editor) - McFly

I remember my first concert vividly, despite being so young. My cousin and I, decked out in matching glittery McFly tops, were about to experience something monumental: our very first live concert. It was 2009, and we were standing on the steps of the Regent Theatre in Ipswich, the excitement buzzing in the air. As the warm-up band took the stage, the venue filled with the roar of guitars and bass.

I remember covering my ears, startled by how loud it was—the music wasn't just heard, it was felt. It vibrated through the air, something I hadn't anticipated. But when McFly finally hit the stage, amid the deafening screams of mostly young girls, the excitement became utterly tangible. The surreal feeling melted away as soon as they launched into their hits, and before I knew it, my cousin and I were screaming along to "Star Girl," "Obviously," and "Too Close for Comfort" at the top of our lungs.

That night ignited a lifelong love affair with live music, and I'm happy to say it didn't end there—I saw McFly two more times, and my concert list has grown to include bands like My Chemical Romance, who I recently saw at Milton Keynes, which left my younger emo heart feeling very full. But when I think of the first band that truly captured my heart, it will always be McFly.

Every time I hear the opening "Do do do do do do," followed by Danny Jones singing "She's got a lip ring and five colours in her hair," I'm instantly transported back to my childhood. It takes me back to those long, carefree summers when I would listen to their CDs on repeat, eagerly awaiting each new album.

Whenever one of their songs pops up on the radio or in a shop, it feels like stepping into a time warp. A smile tugs at my lips as I write this, as I'm filled with the happiness they brought me as a child. They were the band that introduced me to the magic of music and live concerts, and no matter how much my music taste has evolved, there will always be a space for them in my Spotify playlists.

Lucy Jobson (Content Writer / Editor) - My Chemical Romance

My love for music sprouted during the countless car rides I took with my dad as a kid. Whether it was Bowie, The Monkees, U2, or Green Day, the moment the music came on, I was hooked - listening intently, soaking in every note. So, in 2006, when I was introduced to a band that would change my life, it felt inevitable.

A song my young brain lovingly dubbed "The Piano Song"—a soft, unassuming title that's laced with irony - became my anthem. Yes, My Chemical Romance became my favourite band from age 7 (yes, 7!) to around 13. And yes, "The Piano Song" was, in fact, "The Black Parade". The CD never left my radio. The minute I got my first phone, their entire discography was downloaded - full-blown obsession mode.

Now, here's where it gets embarrassing. When I was 8, my family took a trip to Majorca. It was one of those family-friendly resorts with day clubs and activities designed to keep kids entertained. And one fateful, mortifying, self-defining night... They were taking music requests from all the kids. The entertainers made their way around the circle, with each kid asking for the equivalent of my generation's "Baby Shark."

Then it was my turn. In front of a crowd of parents, staff, children, and, of course, my family, I boldly requested "The Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance. Spoiler: they didn't play it. To this day, I don't know if they had no idea who MCR was or if they were deeply concerned for my mental state, but either way, my request was denied. Still, My Chemical Romance remained my favourite band for years, until I eventually evolved from emo kid to grungy teen, discovering Nirvana - peppered with occasional bursts of Pierce the Veil and Bring Me the Horizon screams, of course!

Beth Webb (Creative Content Writer) - The KLF

I've always loved music, ever since I was very young. Whether it was kicking my legs to my favourite CD, The Mr. Men, when I was just a few months old, or dancing around the living room to Kylie Minogue at the age of four, I've always been a music lover.

One of the first bands I really got into was when I was six. I used to go to dance class after school during the week, so on the way home, my dad would turn up the volume, and we'd listen to The KLF, Howard Jones, and the Knight Rider theme tune on full-blast. I fell in love with The KLF, and their music has been a staple in my playlists ever since.

Something about the beat, the instruments, and the lyrics just make their music amazing. Howard Jones and Phil Collins have been comforting artists of mine for years, and I always find myself returning to their songs. Most of, if not all, of my 70s, 80s and 90s music taste is courtesy of my dad; his music taste has definitely influenced mine over the years. My musical taste has evolved over the years.

The first concert I ever attended was by Nothing But Thieves, and it was an incredible show. They started as a small band in Southend and performed at the O2! I've also been lucky enough to see Royal Blood, Post Malone, and The Weeknd live. Each of these artists left me speechless with their excellent performances. One of the most memorable concerts I attended was seeing Pendulum at the O2 with my mum. They have been our favourites for years, so experiencing their live performance at the O2 was unforgettable. So the concert list continues!

Who was the first group or band you were into? We'd love to hear from you on our social media channels. If this blog has inspired you to get together with your mates in the studio, why not explore our All Singing All Dancing experiences? Amongst the packages we offer there is a Band Studio Day and a Superstar Singer Group Session to book at recording studios nationwide.