The band had teased huge news ahead of its 30th anniversary
The Spice Girls left fans devastated on Thursday after finally revealing the truth behind their cryptic anniversary teaser, with hopes of a blockbuster reunion quickly dashed.
The Girl Power legends had sent social media into meltdown after posting a mysterious video hinting that a major announcement was on the way to mark 30 years since Wannabe.
The clip showed the iconic staircase at London’s St Pancras Hotel, made famous in the band’s debut music video, before focusing on a newspaper advert asking: “R u a Spice Girls fan with the ability to sing and dance?”
The teaser sparked feverish speculation that the chart-topping group were preparing to reunite after years of rumours. But instead of announcing a tour or live comeback, the band unveiled a special anniversary merchandise collection.
Fans will instead be able to get their hands on a deluxe box set featuring 14 individually coloured seven-inch vinyl singles, complete with original B-sides, artwork and bonus material from the band’s archive.
Bonus discs include Step To Me and Tell Me Why, as well as two unreleased demos of Do You Think About Me, one of the Spice Girls’ earliest recordings taken from their archive. Also included are five collectable art cards and a 28-page booklet featuring messages from all five band members.
There was a mixed reaction from fans, with one posting on social media: “Rule No. 1 of a Spice Girls announcement/countdown: It’s always anniversary merch. Don’t get too excited.”
A second added: “This is not what the fans wanted.” “More plastic,” fumed another. A fourth disgruntled fan typed: “I know y’all fenna riot. Rightfully so.” “Major disappointment, we wanted a concert with the 5 of you,” said another.
The chart-topping group, who gained worldwide fame with their hit Wannabe, haven’t performed publicly since 2019. As a four-piece, minus Victoria Beckham, comprised of Melanie Brown MBE, Melanie C, Emma Bunton and Geri Horner , they embarked on a stadium tour of the UK and Ireland. Victoria cited business matters as the reason she did not join the group.
Posh Spice last performed with the group at the London 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony, where they played a medley of some of their biggest hits. Mel B later revealed that the group were slated to perform at the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, but pulled out before the event.
Victoria has previously ruled out touring, though fans have been encouraged by recent hints that she would reunite with the band as part of a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Mel B, however, has spoken openly about her desire to reunite the band.
“I do think we should be doing something. Whether that actually happens or not is another story, but we’re all talking about it because, if not anything, just for our fans,” she said of celebrating the 30th anniversary.
She added: “They’ve been so loyal, and they’re just there all the time – even now, 30 years on. For that, we should be doing something, but I can’t say what that is right now, because nothing has been confirmed or signed off on.”
Melanie C also said in a separate interview: “We want to do something – who knows when. But I still feel very optimistic, and I keep my fingers crossed that you will see the Spice Girls together at some point in the future.”
She confirmed in November last year that the band were in talks to see what “opportunities” were available, but they wouldn’t be rushing into making any decisions. “The thing that stops us is we feel so precious about it, we want to make sure it’s the right thing and agree on the right thing,” she said.
And Geri Horner previously told The Sunday Times that there “will be something”, involving all five members for the first time since 2012. She said: “My hope is we come back together as a collective. It’s more respectful to come as one. We’ll come as one.”
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