Welcome back to Getty Load of This, a blog series where we pay homage to old-school PR stunts. Picture this: it’s Saturday, you’ve got a fiver spending money burning a hole in your pocket, you catch the bus to town, you get a Greggs pasty and head to HMV to buy a CD single. Bliss. Let’s head back to the true Theatre of Dreams….

November 1999

Getty says: “Geri Halliwell New Single Launch At Hmv, London, Britain.”

WXY says: “Geri, we’ve been expecting you. Ginger always had great promo game - working overtime to stick it to the ex-bandmates and secure her spot as the most successful solo spice. Unfortunately for her, Mel C took the crown. We greatly appreciated the efforts though.”

February 2001 & October 2008

WXY says: “A true legend. Can’t imagine Dolly slumming it in HMV anymore, sadly.”

May 2003

Getty says: “Girls Aloud At HMV Shop, Marry Hill Shopping Centre, Dudley, Britain."

WXY says: “A fresh-faced Girls Aloud, sans stylist. The corn rows, the hoodies, the Topshop vests. And Sarah ❤️.”

July 2004

Getty says: “Actress and singer Jennifer Ellison signs copies of her second single "Bye Bye Boy" on July 30, 2004 at HMV, in Croydon, London.”

WXY says: “Brookie babe Jennifer Ellison was everywhere around this time. In case you forgot, Bye Bye Boy was a banger. Check it out.”

March 2006

Getty says: “Sugababes At HMV Oxford Street, London, Britain - 06 Mar 2006, Keisha Buchanan With Amelle Berrabah And Heidi Range.”

WXY says: “Another day, another line-up change. Keisha knows it’s only a matter of time…”

August 2006

Getty says: “Paris Hilton during Paris Hilton Greets Fans and Signs Her Debut Album "Paris" at HMV Shibuya - August 23, 2006 at HMV Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan.”

WXY says: “A lot to unpack here, but we’ll just focus on the most haunting detail of all - the belt. Every girl had one, every girl wants to forget.”

Honourable Mentions

May 2000 - Ronan Keating’s trousers