Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute Band

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/onstage/article/1294403--green-doors-cabaret-offers-everything-from-spice-girls-tributes-to-santa - Toronto Star

Come on, you know what you want, what you really, really want. With another NXNE coming to a close and the terrible shadow of Monday looming, this is the perfect opportunity to indulge in a dose of bubblegum nostalgia before the weekend peters out. One of Toronto’s most successful tribute bands, the ladies adopt the personas of everyone’s favourite proponents of Girl Power and perform all of your favourite hits. While they maintain that their audience consists mostly of girls in their twenties and gay men, straight guys have always had their own reasons for liking the Spice Girls and should not be ashamed to attend.

Go if: You really, really, really wanna zig-a-zig-ah. - Torontoist

Wannabe (Spice Girls Tribute Band) at the Redpath Stage (Harbourfront Centre) on Sunday, June 17, 5 PM
The Spice Girls played their final concert in Toronto, so it seems only fitting that the definitive Spice Girls cover band would also originate from Toronto. According to band's website, the eleven piece's show includes "costumes, accents, platform shoes, choreography, and, of course, GIRL POWER" (their emphasis, not mine). The group's show wlll be free to anyone that can make it down to the Harbourfront Centre. - Blog TO

Wannabe (Spice Girls Tribute Band) at the Redpath Stage (Harbourfront Centre) on Sunday, June 17, 5 PM
The Spice Girls played their final concert in Toronto, so it seems only fitting that the definitive Spice Girls cover band would also originate from Toronto. According to band's website, the eleven piece's show includes "costumes, accents, platform shoes, choreography, and, of course, GIRL POWER" (their emphasis, not mine). The group's show wlll be free to anyone that can make it down to the Harbourfront Centre. - Blog TO

Spice Girls tribute band Wannabe
Published On Thu Jan 12 2012

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The British band Spice Girls in 1997. The British band Spice Girls in 1997.

The British band Spice Girls in 1997.
AP FILE PHOTO
Chantaie Allick Staff Reporter

For some diehard fans, it’s still a spice world; they really, really, really, really wanna zig-a-zig, ahhhh.

Fifteen years after they swept the world in a swell of preteen female hysteria, The Spice Girls are back, sort of.

Wannabe: the Spice Girls Tribute Band will be play live at the El Mocambo on Spadina Ave. Saturday night, complete with singing, choreography, platforms, a live band and, of course, British accents.

Anika Johnson, Catharine Merriam, Janee Olivia, Barbara Johnston and Suzy Wilde will assume the roles of Sporty, Baby, Scary, Ginger and Posh respectively. The women are all graduates of the Ryerson Theatre or Humber Music programs.

They’ll perform to “epic” sets from the group’s two most popular albums: Spice and Spiceworld.

“We figured that people who loved the Spice Girls would love to see it and the people who hate the Spice Girls would love to see it even more for the spectacle,” said Ginger impersonator Johnston.

Kids who came of age singing along to “2 Become 1” and “Spice Up Your Life” are now in their 20s and old enough to drink beer and sing along to the songs of their youth. The show is part of a wave of ’90s pop nostalgia that includes the successful Weezer cover band Sheezer.

Dana Snell, who plays drums for Sheezer, said the group didn’t know of any ’90s cover bands when they started in 2009. Before then, it was mainly ’70s and ’80s bands.

“I think it’s a good time (for ’90s cover bands),” said Snell. “As long as people take it in the spirit it was intended, which is a good nostalgic time, then I could see cover bands doing well.” They could also just be a short-lived novelty, she added.

Saturday’s show doubles as a launch party for the Spice Girls tribute group. The women in Wannabe said they got started after seeing the success of friends in a Daft Punk tribute band that sold out concerts across the country.

The group will play two sets and wear two different sets of costumes. The outfits the ladies were known for include Ginger’s Union Jack jumper and Sporty’s Adidas track pants as well as silver costumes inspired by a scene in Spice World, the Spice Girls movie.

Wannabe hopes to get involved in festivals and events like Pride and start selling out shows of their own. They say there’s already interest in having them perform at summer shows.

For them, it’s been fun to live in Spice World this past while. They say the Spice Girls are positive female role models. “They’re so charming, and there’s such a sense of sisterhood to them and innocence in the songs,” said Johnston. - The Toronto Star

These girls are more than wannabes.

I am admittedly always late on a trend. I started watching Friends when the season finale came on the air. Then I went on the internet and watched every episode.

The same thing happened with the Spice Girls. I didn't really get into them until all the buzz happened around their reunion show a few years ago. Don't get me wrong. I still saw Spice World in the 90's, and knew most of their hits. I've only jumped onto their catchy songs in the past short while however.

With that confession out of the way, I am still quite a fan. That's why I was so excited when I found out there was a Spice Girls tribute band called Wannabe.

These girls follow all the dances and moves of the Spice Girls to a tee. They share all the right lines and even take on the personalities and vibe of each girl. Since they're all professional singers, they actually even sing better than the original lineup.

My roommate Michelle, and our new friend Conrad went over to the Harbourfront Centre to watch the festivities outdoor. My only complaint is that they did not get enough time on stage! I could have sat through all of the albums!

I have to admit that I this doesn't officially count as a bucket list entry. I have seen the girls perform once before at Lee's Palace! And I plan to see them again at Pride!

They were part of North by Northeast Festivals and Conference, so technically it was my first time at that event if we have to be particular!

Another successful event from the list,

GP! - #SummerBucketList