Twenty-five years after their 1994 formation, the Spice Girls — one of the most iconic girl groups in the world — performed at London’s Wembley Stadium on Friday night (June 14) as part of three dates at the venue for the Spice World 2019 Tour.
With an explosive entrance to “Spice Up Your Life,” Geri, Mel B, Mel C and Emma — Victoria is sitting this tour out — greeted a stadium packed with more than 80,000 screaming fans. “It wouldn’t be a Spice World without these incredible ladies, but it most importantly wouldn’t be a Spice World without you all!” Mel C, aka Sporty Spice, yelled to the crowd.
Surrounded by dancers, each girl rocked outfits carefully created to mimic the colors and styles they each rocked in the ’90s, but with more sparkle and glam. They all wore sequined pieces, and while Mel B, aka Scary Spice, sported a tight leopard-print unitard, Geri (Ginger) wore a gown with the British flag serving as the print, accompanied by a crown. Sporty carried herself looking like a ninja, in a blue two-piece, and Emma (Baby) wore a pink dress with light pink hair.
The evening, filled with messages of girl power and unity, was highlighted by classics such as “Stop Right Now,” “Holler,” “Say You’ll be There” and “Never Give up on the Good Times.” Over two and a half hours, five outfit changes and a lesson in Spice Girls history, fans of all ages sang along and cheered.
The show was led by stellar choreographed dances, including one number that nodded to the current Pride Month with two shirtless male dancers moving face-to-face, to support the Spice Girls’ belief in equality and power.
What was clear from the very beginning, through videos and jokes onstage, is that their chemistry and bond remains after 25 years. “You don’t know how much you can miss something until you no longer have it,” Ginger Spice said of their experience performing in cities all around the U.K.
The girls brought the concert to a close with their legendary song “Wannabe,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997, where it remained for four weeks.
Jess Glynne was the opening act, getting fans excited to hits such as “Rather Be,” “All I Am” and “I’ll Be There.”
The one-month Spice World 2019 Tour kicked off May 24 in Dublin, Ireland, and wraps up Saturday night at Wembley.
Spice Girls’ set list at London’s Wembley Stadium on Friday night:
Spice Up Your Life
If U Can’t Dance
Who Do You Think You Are
Do It
Something Kinda Funny
Holler
Viva Forever
Let Love Lead the Way
Goodbye
Never Give Up on the Good Times
We Are Family (Sister Sledge cover)
Love Thing
The Lady Is a Vamp
Too Much
Say You’ll Be There
2 Become 1
Stop
Mama
Wannabe
