The English rock band that played Wembley's final show
In short: Before the iconic Wembley Stadium was demolished and redeveloped, one British band stood on its stage for the very last time. Formed in Eastbourne in 1997, Toploader rose from small UK venues to achieve millions of album sales and chart-topping hits.
Toploader's ascent began in the late 1990s, playing alongside emerging acts like Coldplay and Muse. By 1998, the East Sussex group had secured a six-album deal with S2 Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music. Their 1999 television debut on TFI Friday preceded the massive success of their debut album, Onka's Big Moka, released on 22 May 2000. Produced by Dave Eringa, the album reached number four on the UK Albums Chart and remained in the top five for six months.
The band's most enduring legacy includes their 2000 cover of Boffalongo's "Dancing in the Moonlight," which reached the top ten in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. On 20 July 2000, they achieved a historic milestone by backing Bon Jovi at the original Wembley Stadium, marking the final performance by a British band at the venue before its redevelopment. Their early success earned them four nominations at the 2001 Brit Awards.
However, the band's momentum faltered with their second album, Magic Hotel, which reached number three on the UK Albums Chart but faced harsh criticism from the UK music press. Following the underwhelming performance of the single "Time of My Life," which peaked at number 18, the band was dropped by S2 and eventually disbanded in 2003. They reformed in 2009 with original members Joseph Washbourn, Dan Hipgrave, and Rob Green, continuing to perform at festivals and even supporting James Blunt on tour as recently as 202 and 2025.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Toploader
- Also: Wikidata — Toploader · CC0
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