The Spice Girls have opened their reunion world tour with a sell-out concert in Vancouver, Canada.
The Spice Girls have opened their reunion world tour with a sell-out concert in Vancouver, Canada.
More than 15,000 fans watched Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell on stage for the first time in nine years.
More than 15,000 fans watched Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell on stage for the first time in nine years.
Their last tour date as a five-piece was in Birmingham in 1998, shortly before Halliwell left the group.
Their last tour date as a five-piece was in Birmingham in 1998, shortly before Halliwell left the group.
The singers, who announced their comeback in June, have spent the past three weeks rehearsing for the tour.
The singers, who announced their comeback in June, have spent the past three weeks rehearsing for the tour.
'Just fantastic'
'Just fantastic'
Sunday's gig, at the General Motors Place in Vancouver, marked the start of a sell-out tour which comes to the UK later this month.
Sunday's gig, at the General Motors Place in Vancouver, marked the start of a sell-out tour which comes to the UK later this month.
The two-hour show saw the stars perform 22 tracks, including their nine UK number one singles, and new single Headlines.
The two-hour show saw the stars perform 22 tracks, including their nine UK number one singles, and new single Headlines.
They had eight costume changes during the evening, opening with Spice Up Your Life and dancing on raised platforms.
They had eight costume changes during the evening, opening with Spice Up Your Life and dancing on raised platforms.
The group wore costumes designed by Roberto Cavalli The group ended the concert with a rendition of Wannabe, their debut single, and a reprise of Spice Up Your Life.
The group wore costumes designed by Roberto Cavalli The group ended the concert with a rendition of Wannabe, their debut single, and a reprise of Spice Up Your Life.
Some fans had travelled from as far away as Italy for the gig.
Some fans had travelled from as far away as Italy for the gig.
Marlaine Huery, 19, from Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada, drove for three hours and flew across the Rockies to see her idols, paying about £750 for the experience.
Marlaine Huery, 19, from Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada, drove for three hours and flew across the Rockies to see her idols, paying about £750 for the experience.
"I can't believe I am here but it was so worth it," she said. "It has been a lifelong dream of mine.
"I can't believe I am here but it was so worth it," she said. "It has been a lifelong dream of mine.
"I was crying for the first half-hour of the show and I paid a fortune for my ticket, but if they come on tour again I would spend it again. They were just fantastic."
"I was crying for the first half-hour of the show and I paid a fortune for my ticket, but if they come on tour again I would spend it again. They were just fantastic."
David Beckham made an unexpected appearance, having flown from New Zealand, where he was on tour with his football team Los Angeles Galaxy.
David Beckham made an unexpected appearance, having flown from New Zealand, where he was on tour with his football team Los Angeles Galaxy.
In the coming months, the five will also perform in Los Angeles, San Jose, Las Vegas, New York, Cape Town, London, Madrid, Shanghai and Beijing.
In the coming months, the five will also perform in Los Angeles, San Jose, Las Vegas, New York, Cape Town, London, Madrid, Shanghai and Beijing.
They are also planning to play in Buenos Aires on a date to be confirmed.
Last month the Spice Girls made their first public performance since reforming when they sang their new single Headlines for the BBC's Children in Need charity appeal from Los Angeles.
Last month the Spice Girls made their first public performance since reforming when they sang their new single Headlines for the BBC's Children in Need charity appeal from Los Angeles.
When the group first began storming the charts they sold 55 million albums and had nine UK number one singles.
When the group first began storming the charts they sold 55 million albums and had nine UK number one singles.
Did you attend the concert in Vancouver or are you going to one of the later ones? What sort of show are you expecting? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
Did you attend the concert in Vancouver or are you going to one of the later ones? What sort of show are you expecting? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
