Return of the Spice Girls
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| Return of the Spice Girls | ||
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| The Spice Girls performing on their 2007-2008 world tour | ||
| Tour by Spice Girls | ||
| Supporting album | Greatest Hits | |
| Start date | December 2, 2007 | |
| End date | February 26, 2008 | |
| Legs | 2 | |
| Shows | 25 in North America 22 in Europe 47 total |
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| Spice Girls tour chronology | ||
| Christmas in Spiceworld (1999) |
The Return of the Spice Girls (2007-2008) |
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The Return of the Spice Girls was the second North America-Europe concert tour by British girl group The Spice Girls. This reunion tour visited five countries in both North America and Europe.[1] This tour marked the group's first tour since 1999's Christmas in Spiceworld tour of the United Kingdom, and the first as the original five-piece since May 1998. The tour is estimated to have grossed over US$70 million.[2] The tour won the 2008 Billboard Touring Award for Top Boxscore for a 17-night stand at London's O2 Arena.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Background
On June 28, 2007 the Spice Girls held a press conference at The O2 in London, formally announcing their intention to reunite as a group,[4] a plan that had long been speculated by the media.[5] During the press conference, the group laid out their plans to embark on a world concert tour that would be seen as a celebration of the group's history and a final farewell to fans.[6]
Initially eleven dates were announced and spanned North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America and fans were informed that they had to pre-register for tickets on the group's website. On September 30, the successful applicants for the Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Vancouver and London concerts were informed of how they could purchase their tickets, via email and text alerts, from valid ticket vendors. Demand was so high that many dates quickly sold out and three new dates in London were immediately announced after the first date at The O2 sold out in only 38 seconds.[7] Fans who had pre-registered for tickets were given 48 hours to purchase their tickets, after which they went on sale to the general public. In total, a further eighteen dates were announced in Britain, mostly in London, and twenty in the United States and Canada. The official tour logo features the flags from the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, China, Australia, Southafrica, Argentina and the United States.
The group's highest grossing North American city was Toronto, Canada at $6,396,302 with four shows on February 3, 4, 25, and 26, 2008. The last Spice Girls concert also occurred in Toronto, Canada.
The group's biggest international audience on the tour was in New England. The girls performed three shows in the New York area (two on Long Island - Nassau Coliseum, and one in Manhattan - Madison Square Garden), and three shows in the New Jersey area (two in Newark - Prudential Center, and one in East Rutherford - Izod Center), marking this the first time an act has ever played both the Prudential Center in Newark and the Izod Center in East Rutherford at one time, on the same tour. The girls were also scheduled to play the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall near the end of the tour but the plans to do so were later scrapped.
[edit] Controversy
In late 2007 a fake email was posted by Perez Hilton on his site saying the Spice Girls had cancelled the Buenos Aires date,[8] causing an official statement to be released saying that Buenos Aires and the other world tour dates were being finalized.[9] Due to the expansion of the British and American legs of the tour, it was finally announced on February 1, 2008 that the end of the tour would take place in Toronto, on February 26, 2008, meaning the dates in South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa were cancelled.[10] Many media outlets reported that it was due to Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown leaving the band,[11] but this was denied in an official thespicegirls.com video message.[12] The band suffered media backlash,[13] and fan backlash,[14][15] with many fans creating Facebook hate groups speculating the official announcement was "indirect" and that "the Spice Girls and their management knew the dates were cancelled even before they added 16 dates at the O2, deciding to announce it near the end of the tour to minimize controversy."[16] The lack of an official DVD caused some negativity as well.[17] After many e-mails from fans to the management, it was officially announced no official DVD had been recorded at all. Although each Spice Girl has a copy of the tour, Melanie Brown has confirmed on her site the footage of the tour recorded was poor and they felt it was wrong to release a DVD for local distribution.[17]
[edit] Set list
Act 1: The Power of Five (contains samples from "Spice Up Your Life")
- "Spice Up Your Life"
- "Stop" (contains "It's Like That" introduction)
- "Say You'll Be There" (contains excepts from "If You Need a Fix")
- "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)"
Act 2: Seduce Me (contains samples from The Pink Panther)
- "The Lady Is a Vamp"
- "Too Much" (Jazz version) - contains elements of "Big Spender"
- "2 Become 1"
Act 3: Bittersweet (contains samples from the motion picture Blade Runner)
- "Who Do You Think You Are"
- "Catwalk" (Dance interlude) (contains elements and excerpts from "Like a Virgin" and "Supermodel (You Better Work)") (Victoria Beckham solo)
- "Are You Gonna Go My Way" (Melanie Brown solo)
- "Maybe" (Contains sample from the The Twilight Zone theme) (Emma Bunton solo)
Act 4: Supergirls
- "Viva Forever" (contains samples from "Epoca" by Gotan Project)
- "Holler" 1
- "It's Raining Men" (Geri Halliwell solo)
- "I Turn to You" (Melanie Chisholm solo)
Act 5: Celebration
- "Let Love Lead the Way"1
- "Mama"
- Celebration Medley:
- "Goodbye" 2
Act 6: Encore
- "If U Can't Dance" (contains samples from "Holler", "Something Kinda Funny", "Never Give Up on the Good Times")
- "Wannabe"
- "Spice Up Your Life" - remixed reprise (contains exceprts from "Billie Jean", "Lambada", Flaminco and The Conga)
1 Performed without Geri Halliwell.
2 Performed with Geri Halliwell.
[edit] Tour dates
| Date | City | Country | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America [18] | ||||
| December 2, 2007 | Vancouver | Canada | General Motors Place | |
| December 4, 2007 | San Jose | United States | HP Pavilion at San Jose | |
| December 5, 2007 | Los Angeles | Staples Center | ||
| December 7, 2007 | ||||
| December 8, 2007 | Las Vegas | Mandalay Bay Events Center | ||
| December 9, 2007 | ||||
| December 11, 2007 | ||||
| Europe [18] | ||||
| December 15, 2007 | London | England | The O2 | |
| December 16, 2007 | ||||
| December 18, 2007 | ||||
| December 20, 2007 | Cologne | Germany | Kölnarena | |
| December 23, 2007 | Madrid | Spain | Telefónica Arena | |
| January 2, 2008 | London | England | The O2 | |
| January 3, 2008 | ||||
| January 4, 2008 | ||||
| January 6, 2008 | ||||
| January 8, 2008 | ||||
| January 9, 2008 | ||||
| January 11, 2008 | ||||
| January 12, 2008 | ||||
| January 13, 2008 | ||||
| January 15, 2008 | ||||
| January 16, 2008 | ||||
| January 18, 2008 | ||||
| January 20, 2008 | ||||
| January 22, 2008 | ||||
| January 23, 2008 | Manchester | Manchester Evening News Arena | ||
| January 24, 2008 | ||||
| January 26, 2008 | ||||
| North America [18] | ||||
| January 30, 2008 | Boston | United States | TD Banknorth Garden | |
| January 31, 2008 | Montréal | Canada | Bell Centre | |
| February 3, 2008 | Toronto | Air Canada Centre | ||
| February 4, 2008 | ||||
| February 6, 2008 | Uniondale | United States | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | |
| February 7, 2008 | ||||
| February 10, 2008 | Newark | Prudential Center | ||
| February 11, 2008 | ||||
| February 13, 2008 | East Rutherford | Izod Center | ||
| February 15, 2008 | Chicago | United Center | ||
| February 16, 2008 | Auburn Hills | Palace of Auburn Hills | ||
| February 18, 2008 | New York City | Madison Square Garden | ||
| February 19, 2008 | Philadelphia | Wachovia Center | ||
| February 21, 2008 | Washington, D.C. | Verizon Center | ||
| February 22, 2008 | Hartford | XL Center | ||
| February 24, 2008 | Montréal | Canada | Bell Centre | |
| February 25, 2008 | Toronto | Air Canada Centre | ||
| February 26, 2008 | ||||
[edit] Box Office Score data
| Venue | City | Tickets Sold / Available | Gross Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Motors Place | Vancouver | 13,369 / 13,369 (100%) | $1,440,569 |
| HP Pavilion at San Jose | San Jose | 11,316 / 11,316 (100%) | $1,169,331 |
| Staples Center | Los Angeles | 24,502 / 24,502 (100%) | $2,673,311 |
| Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas | 18,342 / 19,700 (93%) | $2,183,383 |
| The O2 | London | 256,647 / 256,647 (100%) | $33,829,250 |
| Manchester Evening News Arena | Manchester | 41,323 / 41,323 (100%) | $5,388,122 |
| TD Banknorth Garden | Boston | 11,774 / 11,774 (100%) | $1,304,787 |
| Bell Centre | Montreal | 20,032 / 23,971 (84%) | $2,114,189 |
| Air Canada Centre | Toronto | 58,368 / 58,368 (100%) | $6,396,302 |
| Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | Uniondale | 22,622 / 24,207 (93%) | $2,427,714 |
| Prudential Center | Newark | 23,430 / 25,143 (93%) | $2,565,726 |
| Izod Center | East Rutherford | 13,894 / 13,894 (100%) | $1,457,542 |
| United Center | Chicago | 13,205 / 13,205 (100%) | $1,396,051 |
| Palace of Auburn Hills | Detroit | 9,859 / 11,100 (89%) | $1,043,194 |
| Madison Square Garden | New York City | 12,558 / 12,558 (100%) | $1,491,141 |
| Wachovia Center | Philadelphia | 10,652 / 13,938 (76%) | $1,166,854 |
| Verizon Center | Washington, D.C. | 12,435 / 12,435 (100%) | $1,355,892 |
| XL Center | Hartford | 5,727 / 7,659 (74%) | $2,673,311 |
| TOTAL | 567,550 / 595,109 (95%) | $70,004,738 |
Source:[19]
- The Spice Girls' performances at The O2 ranked first in Billboard's Top 25 Boxscores, with a gross of over US$33 million.[20]
| Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| North America | ||
| December 7, 2007 | Los Angeles | United States |
| December 8, 2007 | Las Vegas | |
| December 11, 2007 | New York City | |
| Europe | ||
| December 15, 2008 | London | England |
| December 20, 2007 | Cologne | Germany |
| December 23, 2007 | Madrid | Spain |
| Asia | ||
| January 10, 2008 | Beijing | China |
| January 12, 2008 | Hong Kong | |
| Australia | ||
| January 17, 2008 | Sydney | Australia |
| Africa | ||
| January 20, 2008 | Cape Town | South Africa |
| South America | ||
| January 24, 2008 | Buenos Aires | Argentina |
[edit] Broadcasts & recordings
BBC Radio 2 recorded shows on December 15 & December 16. An hour-long "highlights special" was broadcast on December 22 and December 31, 2007, that included eleven of the twenty-two songs performed.[21] It was confirmed on the Spice Girls official website that there will not be a DVD release.[22]
[edit] Personnel
- Creative Director: Jamie King
- Video Director: Dago Gonzalez for Veneno, Inc.
- Costume Design: Roberto Cavalli
- Manager: Simon Fuller
- Executive Producer: Spice Girls and 19
[edit] Band
- Guitar: Greg Hatwell and Paul Gendler
- Bass Guitar: Scott Firth
- Keyboards: Nick Nasmyth and Simon Ellis
- Drums: Vinnie Lammi
- Percussion: Sudha Kheterpal
- Dancers: Gus Carr, Scotty Nguyen, Alex Larson, Antonio Hudnell, Cassidy Noblett, Dougie Styles, Ivan "Flipz" Valez, Leo Moctezuma, Victor Rojas and Vinh Bui
[edit] References
- ^ EMI Group Limited (2007-06-27). "The Return Of The Spice Girls". Press release. http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2007/press46.htm#. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
- ^ Waddell, Ray (2008-12-11). "Bon Jovi Scores 2008's Top-Grossing Tour". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/bon-jovi-scores-2008-s-top-grossing-tour-1003921575.story. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
- ^ "Springsteen, Chesney Rule Billboard Touring Awards". Billboard. 2008-11-20. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/awards/index.jsp. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Spice Girls Set Date to Reveal Plans". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. 2007-06-22. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062200691.html. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
- ^ Finn, Natalie (2007-06-08). "Spice Girls Reunion a Well-Seasoned Rumor". E! Online. E! Entertainment Television, Inc.. http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=e3303910-79a7-41d2-9c62-4c3b1291f202. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
- ^ "Spice Girls announce reunion tour". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2007-06-28. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6246448.stm. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
- ^ "Fans snap up Spice Girls tickets". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2007-10-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7021976.stm. Retrieved 2007-12-2007.
- ^ "Perez Hilton: Las Chicas Picante Cancelan". PerezHilton.com. http://perezhilton.com/2007-11-24-las-chicas-picante-cancelan.
- ^ "Perez Hilton: They Were Hacked!". PerezHilton.com. http://perezhilton.com/2007-11-25-they-were-hacked.
- ^ "Spice Girls Official Website". Spice Girls LLP. 2008-02-01. http://www.thespicegirls.com/news/080201announcement.
- ^ "Spice Girls cancel world tour 'after Mels quit' - Entertainment - NZ Herald News". APN Holdings NZ Limited. 2008-02-01. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10490364.
- ^ "Spice Girls Official Website". Spice Girls LLP. http://www.thespicegirls.com/node/347.
- ^ "Strain begins to show on Spice Girls after tour cancellation...". Associated Newspapers Ltd. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-511826/Strain-begins-Spice-Girls-tour-cancellation--Poshs-feet.html.
- ^ "Sad and upset reactions (emails) to SpiceNews from fans.". SpiceNews.com. http://www.spicenews.com/html/cancelled-letters.html.
- ^ "Spice Fans' Dissent (Multimedia)". SpiceNews.com. http://www.spicenews.com/html/cancelled-dissent.html.
- ^ "Spice Girls Hate Groups Online: Spice Girls Reunion Tour Cancellation Internet Hate Campaign". PopCrunch.com. http://www.popcrunch.com/spice-girls-hate-groups-online-spice-girls-reunion-tour-cancellation-sparks-internet-hate-campaign/.
- ^ a b "The Spice Girls Disappoint - Spice Girls". DNA Group, Inc. http://www.hollyscoop.com/music/spice-girls/the-spice-girls-disappoint_608.aspx.
- ^ a b c "Spice Girls World Tour". Spice Girls Official Website. Spice Girls LLP. http://www.thespicegirls.com/tour. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
- ^ "Billboard Boxscore", Billboard Magazine (New York City: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.), 2008-04-12, http://login.vnuemedia.com/bbbiz/login/login_subscribe.jsp?id=GRDpIQKLSkwdwjzEOzAruaPil51%2BAr0xAScA85dsLRya0UBgTCP9LAWNTIZQhZaVG3%2F44BJROJ9R%0ASLFbSJtaEiI3Tn41b7d2dnOVsmTSmAd7kdBEsAIh3cq7%2BRnhrC5OfUuBfUzjYgsRBuMAz8hc3lk8%0AvM%2Fw616u, retrieved 2008-11-30
- ^ "Top 25 Boxscores". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 2008-12-11. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2008/charts/top25-boxscores.shtml. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
- ^ "Spice Girls in Concert". http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008k0h2.
- ^ "SPICEY THANK YOU". http://www.thespicegirls.com/news/080402spicethanks.
[edit] External links
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