Singer Hosts Live Interview at Manchester United Fan Zone
Joining Andrew Bowman and former BBC Red Wed teammates from Bilbao amid Europa Final buzz.
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Rowetta, the acclaimed English vocalist known for her work with Happy Mondays and Soul II Soul, took a break from rehearsals to join the BBC Manchester Sports crew in Bilbao’s buzzing fan zone ahead of the Europa League Final. In a behind-the-microphone moment, she reunited with presenter Andrew Bowman and her former BBC Red Wednesday colleagues Bill Rice and Joe McGrath for an on-site interview at Manchester United’s Etxebarria Parkea fanzone.
Rowetta Reunites With Bbc Crew
During the live segment for @bbcmanchester, Rowetta quipped, “Great interview for BBC Manchester in the Manchester United Fanzone at the Europa Final, Bilbao.” Accompanied by Bill Rice and Joe McGrath, she fielded questions about her upcoming performance and shared memories of her early days at BBC Radio, where she cut her teeth on the Red Wednesday team. Andrew Bowman praised her for bringing “incredible energy” to the broadcast, highlighting her seamless shift from studio sessions to live, on-the-ground reporting.
From Airport Gates To The Fanzone Stage
Earlier posts on Rowetta’s Instagram traced her journey to Bilbao. She captured the excitement of boarding a flight alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and club legends, writing, “⚽ 🇪🇸 Bilbao we’re on our way ✈️,” and thanked Manchester United for the opportunity to “sing for the greatest fans in the world & come back with the Europa Cup 🏆.”
On the morning of the final, Rowetta shared a snapshot of her pre-show routine: “Beautiful morning 🇪🇸 here in Bilbao with the United & Adidas crew. Running through my sets in the bath before breakfast. Sir Alex is here 🙌🏻. See you in The Fanzone ❤️🤍💙.” According to her itinerary, she was slated to take the stage at 1 pm and 4 pm local time, nestled between performances by Jay Dunn, Mani from The Stone Roses, Liam Fray of Courteeners, and Sankeys DJ Sean Mac. The fan park boasted a 20,000-capacity and free entry from 11:00 until 18:00, with a reopening at 20:00 to screen the match for those without stadium tickets.
A Storied Singing Career
Born Rowetta Jane Mary Gerrard in Manchester in 1966, Rowetta rose to prominence after joining the Happy Mondays in 1990, delivering powerhouse vocals on club anthems that defined the Madchester era. She later lent her voice to Soul II Soul and reached a wider audience as a finalist on The X Factor in 2005. Her versatility has kept her in demand across festival stages, television specials, and now, major sporting events.
Fans at Etxebarria Parkea witnessed Rowetta’s dynamic presence both on camera and on stage, as she bridged her musical past with a new role in live sports media. Her interviews paid homage to the club’s storied history, while her performances promised to add a musical highlight to a day already rich in football lore.
With the Europa League trophy on the line that evening, Rowetta’s fanzone appearances underscored the growing trend of blending live music and fan engagement at major sports events. The singer’s return to her broadcasting roots alongside high-profile teammates offered a perfect prelude to what would become an unforgettable night in Bilbao for Reds supporters and music lovers alike.
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