One Direction announce 2014 tour

Harry Styles et al will be first boyband to headline Wembley stadium since Bros in 1989

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One Direction have announced details of their first stadium tour, making them the first boyband since Bros to headline a stadium while still actually a "boy" band.

The group announced 13 dates for spring 2014, taking in the UK, Ireland and Latin America, with the promise of more shows to be added. The group made the announcement during a press conference at Wembley Stadium, following speculation about their intentions after an online countdown was posted at a specially launched site. The run will take in a show at Wembley on 7 June.

Although Take That have previously played the stadium, it came in their second phase, after reforming as a manband. The Spice Girls played the old Wembley Stadium in 1998, but the venue has traditionally been seen as a venue for rock acts, or huge charity and festival-type events. Bros played Wembley in 1989, but since then no boyband has had the pulling power to fill the 90,000-capacity stadium.

Speaking at a press conference to annouce the shows, One Direction's Niall Horan said: "We have only been a band for three years and we're already doing stadiums – including Wembley." Harry Styles added: "It's important the fans and everyone who comes to see the show know it's going to be much bigger and [we will be playing] new songs. A completely different tour."

The tour is being dubbed the Where We Are Tour, after their forthcoming third album. The UK shows announced so far are at Sunderland Stadium of Light (28 May 2014), Manchester Etihad (31 May), Edinburgh Murrayfield (3 June) and London Wembley (7 June). One Direction tickets go on sale on 25 May and are available from Guardian Tickets.

Contributor

Dan Martin

The GuardianTramp

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