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The Spice Girls charged into town Sunday night for their first Toronto concert of four (one more last night, and then two more at the end of the month). The Air Canada Centre was RAMMED full of screaming girls, gay guys (a few straight ones too), and everyone else who had caught a nostalgic case of “Grrrl Power.”

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard the show was impressive but I was honestly expecting some lip-syncing with a dollop of cheese on top – but as the lights went out, the deafening roar that shook the ACC was incredible. Opening with “Spice Up Your Life” the girls rose out of the expansive stage, decked out in their Cavalli-designed outfits. And they were singing live! And dancing! Their energy was infectious and the Torontonians were eating it up. Spice City, indeed!

There were many costume changes, lots of trap door entrances, and great dance numbers – their 10 back-up dancers were incredible. Show highlights included: “Stop,” “If U Can’t Dance,” “Wannabe,” and Geri’s “It’s Raining Men.” (Victoria’s “solo” consisted of her walking the catwalk while being photographed by “fake” photographers. So funny. So bizarre.) My only complaint would be the large amount of buzz-killing ballads (with the exception of “2 Become 1,” “Viva Forever,” and “Goodbye” of course).

Overall, Spice Mania was in full force last night and it was impossible not to get swept up in it. A lot of money obviously went into this production and the spectacle did not disappoint. These five women were strong, fun and sexy – proving that Girl Power is not just a thing of the 90′s.

Grade: A

Posted on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am by danielb and is filed under Celebrities & Pop Culture.

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