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Girls Give The Faithful What They Really, Really Want |
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Written by ANDY STYLES
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Saturday, 16 February 2008 |
When the Spice Girls officially went their separate ways at the turn of the decade, members splintered off into solo careers with varying degrees of success. But as the group’s staple song “Wannabe” says so boldly: “tell me what you want, what you really, really want,” fans soon spoke up in droves, prompting Baby, Ginger, Posh, Scary and Sporty to get back together again. Of course, reunion tours are the norm these days with everyone from the more alternative minded Rage Against the Machine to the punk-tinged Police and fellow retro rockers Crowded House reconvening, and as expected, Spice Girls are toeing the line of nostalgia for all it’s worth.
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Spice Girls
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 Entertainment
 Art
The Chicago Theater
Chicago, Ill.
February 15, 2008
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The group’s record label (Virgin) is also jumping on the bandwagon, releasing a Greatest Hits disc compiling the best from a mere three CDs (though there’s also a pair of mediocre new tunes to incite repeat customers). In any case, all of the essential lip-smacking songs were on tap during the 2008 tour, including the early sing-a-longs “Spice Up Your Life” and “Say You’ll Be There.” For the most part, the show was steeped in pure bred pop, though the ladies also indulged their jazz affinity during “Too Much,” not to mention the decadent days of disco.
The full cast “Celebration Medley” went straight back to the 70s, though there were other retro leanings during solo segments of the show. While most were transitions for the other leading ladies and dancers to change costumes, Ginger’s raved up take “It’s Raining Men” was a true show stopper. On a more current note, Scary also growled her way through “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” though even with abounding charisma, she couldn’t quite overpower the Lenny Kravitz original.
Instead the group found better footing with their most familiar material, including the romantic (albeit sappy) ballad “2 Become 1” and the sentimental “Let Love Lead The Way.” It paved the way for the introspective “Mama,” backed by on screen images of the Girls growing up and some members’ kids making their way to the stage. Besides the screen, the setting was packed with Vegas-styled spectacle with no less than ten dancers, a long ramp that extended into the arena’s midpoint and a band suspended twenty feet off the ground.
Even so, all attention fell upon the prized five, who swayed during the sappy “Goodbye,” bounced during the beat-drenched “Holler” and hosted the ultimate karaoke session during the above referenced “Wannabe.” The show closed with a world music-infused reprise of “Spice Up Your Life,” backed by a series of international flags and various dance steps representing various cultures (including a short nod to Ireland’s “Riverdance”). But even during take two of the Spice Girls’ storied career, they had no trouble translating their enduring British charm, undeniably catchy ditties, and most importantly, larger than life personas to the stage, even if they aren’t the flavor of the moment anymore. |
Daniel
Written by Guest on 2008-02-18 01:42:44
I LOVE SPICE GIRLS! THEY'RE MY HEROES!!!  | melanie
Written by Guest on 2008-02-19 16:05:46
it really does suck to see them part  |
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