They are the first all-female group to score a UK #1 single. They are one of only three acts to ever hold the UK Christmas #1 single and album simultaneously. They injected the Cool Britannia vibe of the Brit Pop movement into the colorful pop of 80s Wham! and ushered in a golden age of popular music as the century danced to a close. Most importantly, the Spice Girls did it on their terms, rejecting the manager who assembled them as a group, and inspired a new generation of independent-minded pop stars. Despite their global success and immense impact on popular culture, a Spice Girls tribute in Las Vegas still feels risky. One wrong step and purists will scoff at a lightweight tribute. Currently playing at Excalibur’s Thunderland Showroom, there is no denying Spice Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute and the experience it delivers.
For such a new show, the quality of the production immediately demands attention as the five perfectly costumed women promise to “Spice Up Your Life” as fans young and old jump to their feet ready to have a good time. Having seen the show twice, the crowd is the 6th Spice in many ways and the energy of the room never wavers. The performers make excellent use of the table tops and remote stage to move about the room and the frisky Spice Boys dancers compliment the performances without distracting from the music. At times, it feels like a cross between the interactive Thunder From Down Under show and the wonderful Australian Bee Gees tribute show, both of which share the same room with Spice Wannabe.
Costumes and energy are on point but the show would collapse without the songs and these five women are more than capable of carrying the group’s golden hits. The a cappella introduction to “Say You’ll Be There” finds them harmonizing like sisters before the classic hook brings the crowd back to its feet. The playfulness of the performers with each other is not something that you can fake and Spice Wannabe seem to be having as much fun as the audience. It is an infectious performance made all the more special when they are walking through the crowd engaging with the next generation of Spice Girls.
Situating the music of Spice Girls in the context of popular music, Spice Wannabe add a medley of disco and R&B classics to the set and the Spice Girls songs hold their own with classics from Sister Sledge and Kool & the Gang. In fact, I am struck by the Motown groove of “Stop” and wonder if the song, and the group, will soon be getting more credit from “serious” music fans who are just now appreciating Wham! and what George Michael was doing before his more mature solo work.
The Spice Girls mattered and the songs are timeless even if you were too old or young to get swept up in the craze in the 90s. With Spice Wannabe, we are all reminded that music is about celebrating life. There is a new generation of music fans coming to Las Vegas ready to dance and it will be a tragedy (Bee Gees reference!) if Spice Wannabe does not get an extended run on the Las Vegas Strip. Don’t risk missing it. If you wannabe there, head to Excalibur this month!
