The Spice Girls celebrated Mel B’s 44th birthday with an extra-special gig at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
As well as treating the birthday girl to a five-tier leopard-print cake, it appears Scary got the best present of all – the news that their fans could hear every note of their third sell-out Spice World concert.
One audience member revealed: “There have been reports of sound problems at previous shows but I can hear them crystal clear and they’re singing and rapping live.”
At one point, cheeky Geri Horner – who earlier arrived at the stadium hand in hand with son Monty – asked the audience: “Can you hear all right at the back?”
Ent Daily previously reported that the first night of the girls’ reunion tour got off to a “horrific” start as “sobbing” fans complained that they couldn’t even hear which song the four-piece were singing.
And things didn’t improve when the tour moved to Dublin, with furious fans demanding a refund when the gig was hit by further sound problems.
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It appears it was third time lucky for the Spice Girls though, with fans taking to Twitter to report that the “sound was great”.
One fan said: “I had the best time last night seeing Spice Girls in Manchester. Sound was great, atmosphere was awesome. We even decided to get some tickets for Coventry next.”
Another added: “The Spice Girls tonight sounded amazing, I heard them all the way from the back loud and clear. I’ve waited since I was a little boy to see them and they were outstanding. Had the best evening ever.”
However, proving that you can’t please everyone, one fan admitted there were “some minor sound issues”.
Another added: “You should be ashamed first night in Manchester with your half-[bleep] performance. Sack your sound guys 3 tour night and still not right [sic].”
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The show also marked the 21st anniversary of Geri leaving the band, with Mel B telling her bandmate: “You better not leave tonight, you [expletive] [bleep].”
Singer Jess Glynne, who is supporting the girls on tour, also waded into the sound argument. She spoke to BBC Breakfast and said of the issues: “I honestly think it’s a load of rubbish.”
She added: “I wouldn’t just say it, the show is amazing. I walked out to watch the show on the first night and it’s so emotional. I think people always try and find something.”
Revealing that she wasn’t just saying it “because I’m on the tour”, Jess confirmed: “It is great and it sounds fine and the show is wicked.”
Were you at the girls’ Manchester concert? What did you think of their performance? Let us know over on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix!