Fans of the 90s will be able to relive the Spice Girls phenomenon this year, as an exhibition devoted to the world’s best-selling girl group comes to London and Manchester.
Following huge demand for tickets for #SpiceUpLondon at the capital’s Business Design Centre between July 28 and August 20, the show’s organisers have just announced dates for Manchester.
The exhibition will run from August 24 to September 4 at Manchester Central Convention Centre.
Visitors to both events will be able to immerse themselves in 250 screen and stage-worn costumes and thousands of pieces of memorabilia, donated to the exhibition by the world’s foremost Spice Girls collectors.
Items will include everything from the Spice Bus used in 1999’s Spice World: The Movie to Spice Girls-branded clocks and crisp packets, reports the Manchester Evening News.
There will probably be a Spice Girls doll or two in there for good measure too.
Alan Smith-Allison, the exhibition’s curator, and major Spice Girls collector, comments: “After the phenomenal reaction to #SpiceUpLondon, and the massive appetite for unapologetic cheesy feel-good fun, the SpiceUp exhibition is delighted to announce the second stop of our UK tour will be Manchester.
“The biggest music exhibition ever has just become the biggest touring music exhibition ever! Hold on to your knickers Manchester, Girl Power is coming at ya!”
The time is right for this exhibition. The Spice Girls had their first #1 with Wannabe in 1996, meaning their 10-year-old fans then are now 32 – around the time when nostalgia for childhood can often kick in.
Indeed, Spice Girls memorabilia is achieving some strong sums at auction, with signed photos of all five routinely selling for more than £100 ($135).
Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack dress from the 1997 BRIT Awards auctioned for £41,320 in 1998. It will sadly will not be making an appearance at the show.
The exhibition comes to the UK after a successful debut in Cyprus in 2016. Such is the band’s popularity around the world, and importance in the story of recent gender politics, it would be no surprise to us if this exhibition went global.
Prices are £10 for adults, £5 for children aged 12 to 16. Under 12s are free.
