Gwen Stefani Winds It Up in Belfast

By Andrea Clarke
NO Doubt singer turned solo star Gwen Stefani is set to play the Odyssey Arena, Belfast for the first time next Monday 1st October.
Gwen, lead singer of the multiple Grammy-winning band No Doubt, released her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby in 2004, churning out hit after hit including Hollaback Girl, Rich Girl featuring Eve, Cool, Luxurious and What You Waiting For.
The singer then went onto to have a hugely successful sold-out tour then took some time out to spend time with her son, Kingston with husband Gavin Rossdale.
When it came time for Gwen to record a second album, you would think there would be pressure to make not just another great record, but also to satisfy the expectations that come with massive success. But not for this singer.
As she’s done throughout her career, Gwen hasn’t let anyone dictate what she should do.
“For me, the music just brings a lot of confidence. Making music is very rewarding,” Gwen said.
“It’s really fun to have people listen to your music and get something, whatever that is out of it. So when all is said and done, I hope people enjoy it as much as I’m enjoying it”.
And enjoying it they are.
Gwen’s second album, The Sweet Escape brings an unmistakable ability to cross-pollinate genres with effortless joy.
Collaborating with fellow sonic adventurers, The Neptunes, No Doubt’s Tony Kanal, Akon, Swizz Beats, Sean Garrett, and Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley, the singer has created a unique album that is unmistakably Gwen Stefani.
“All my inspirations were completely different on this record,” she said.
“The last time, it was all about doing a dance record. It was all about ‘80s-inspired music, the music I danced to when I was growing up.
“But this time, I felt like I was in a whole different place. I have a lot more melodic songs. There are beats but it’s also more. The Sweet Escape is a perfect title because the music takes you away”.
The first single from the album, Wind It Up, featuring a sample from The Sound of Music, was produced by The Neptunes and charted at number three in the UK. Gwen’s latest single, The Sweet Escape featuring Akon went in at number two.
“I kept getting people saying, ‘You’ve gotta work with this guy Akon;”, added Gwen.
“I was just agreeing to the session because everyone was in my ear. But then, I cancelled a session because I was burned out, I was too tired, and I have ababy.
“Then Jimmy [Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records] calls me and he says, ‘You can cancel everything else in your life. Just don’t cancel this session! You have to go and work with Akon.’ I said, ‘Okay, dude. I’ll go’.
”He had all these tracks he had played for me that blew my mind. I was thinking I was gonna go in there and just have some track that wasn’t me.
“And when I heard what Akon had I was like, ‘Whoo-hoo!’ And we ended up with this song, which, it’s just great”.
Credit success. Marriage. Motherhood. Listen to The Sweet Escape and you hear an artist, and a woman, inspired by the love that surrounds her, on and off the stage. Not surprisingly, The Sweet Escape is dedicated to Gwen’s best project,baby Kingston.
“I want him to grow up and look back and just know how important he is. He’s just the most delicious thing. I have no words for him”.
That emotional bond and sheer joy fuels The Sweet Escape.
From bass-driven jams to ethereal ballads, this album finds Gwen Stefani in a beautiful place, one that she’s willing to share.
“You work so hard on the music”, said Gwen. “It’s such an emotional outlet, and for me it’s really the hard part of everything. But it’s also the fire for everything because it’s so emotional.
“When you’re all done with it, to get all made-up, and celebrate, and show it off to everyone… it’s just an expression of your personality. It just shows who you are without having to use words. Just the music”.

Limited tickets, priced £40.00 / £38.00 (seated) and £38.00 (standing) are on sale now from Odyssey Arena box office, Virgin & all usual Ticketmaster outlets.

Book online at wonderlandpromotions.co.uk ; ticketmaster.ie;

Credit card bookings & info: 0870 243 4455 / 028 9073 9074 (Odyssey Arena box office)
gwenstefani.com