Emma Bunton live in London

After performing a one-off Christmas gig in 2019, Emma Bunton returned with a tour and more special guests.

Following her shows in Manchester and Brighton, it seems Emma Bunton saved the best till last for the final date in London. Performing to a sold-out crowd at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Bunton kicked off her 20-song set in a dazzling green dress with a collection of Christmas classics for the audience to sing along to.

 

 

Given the concert’s theme, it was inevitable that covers of festive songs were going to feature throughout most of the show. That said, it was the Spice Girls classics and her solo career songs that got the audience up on their feet for more than one occasion. Her beautiful ballad rendition of 2 Become 1 with hubby Jade Jones was the first highlight of the concert, showing off her angelic vocals in an intimate setting. The medley of her own singles not only reminded some of how underrated her back catalogue is but how well the material has aged.

 

 

With the concert split into two halves, Bunton pulled out all the stops for the second half, making it a night to remember. Returning to the stage in a fashionable black ensemble, screams filled the venue when the audience heard the first few seconds of Viva Forever. Followed by Mama, Say You’ll Be There, and a euphoric remix of Spice Up Your Life, the Spice medley went down the way anyone would imagine it to. Special guest Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs) for Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody may have been a lovely addition to the show but his appearance was rightfully overshadowed when Melanie C joined Bunton for the final Spice number of the evening, Stop. Being that it was the first time any Spice Girl members had performed together publicly since their 2019 stadium tour, it was a moment many had been longing for.

 

 

All in all, Bunton’s show was a fun, wholesome evening filled with joy and celebration. Whether you came for the Spice hits, her solo material, or the Christmas covers, the set catered to a bit of everyone and provided exactly what it said on the tin.

 

Follow Emma via @emmaleebunton

 

By Fabio Magnocavallo

Photography Andrew Timms

 

Set list:

 

Part one

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Step Into Christmas

Jingle Bell Rock

Dream a Little Dream of Me (with Jade Jones and family)

2 Become 1 (with Jade Jones)

Let It Snow

Sleigh Ride

Free Me / Take My Breath Away / What Took You So Long / What I Am

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas Everyone

 

Part two

Viva Forever / Mama / Say You’ll Be There / Spice Up Your Life

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Santa Baby

Rockin’ Robin

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Merry Xmas Everybody (with Ricky Wilson)

Stop (with Melanie C)

Maybe

 

Encore

Coming Home For Christmas

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

 

 

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