On This Day 10/08/1996 Spice Girls

On this day, 10 August 1996, legendary girl band the Spice Girls played Cardiff’s Big Weekend. Also playing that day were, Super Furry Animals, James Taylor Quartet, Pato Banton, 4 Man Do and Upside Down.

Formed in 1994, consisting of Melanie Brown a.k.a. Mel B ("Scary Spice"); Melanie Chisholm, a.k.a. Mel C ("Sporty Spice"); Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"); Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice"); and Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"). With their "girl power" mantra, they redefined the girl-group concept by targeting a young female fanbase. They led the teen pop resurgence of the 1990s, were a major part of the Cool Britannia era, and became pop culture icons of the decade.

They released their debut single, "Wannabe", in 1996, which reached number one on the charts of 37 countries.Their debut album, Spice (1996), sold more than 23 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by a female group in history. It produced three more number-one singles: "Say You'll Be There", "2 Become 1" and "Who Do You Think You Are"/"Mama". Their second album, Spiceworld (1997), sold more than 14 million copies worldwide.

The Spice Girls achieved three number-one singles from the album with "Spice Up Your Life", "Too Much" and "Viva Forever". Both albums encapsulated the group's dance-pop style and message of female empowerment, with vocal and songwriting contributions shared equally by the members.

WANTED: R.U. 18–23 with the ability to sing/dance? R.U. streetwise, outgoing, ambitious, and dedicated? Heart Management Ltd. are a widely successful music industry management consortium currently forming a choreographed, singing/dancing, all-female pop act for a recording deal. Open audition. Danceworks, 16 Balderton Street. Friday 4th March. 11.00am–5.30pm. Please bring sheet music or backing cassette.

– Advertisement placed in The Stage

On This Day 12/08/1995 Spice Girls

Images may be subject to copyright

On this day, 12 August 1995, British girl group the Spice Girls played Cardiff’s Big Weekend part of the Galaxy 101 Showcase which also featured Danii Minogue

Also playing that day were, former Strangler Hugh Cornwall, The Dharmas, The Underdogs and Fat Barry's Soul Band.

Formed in 1994, consisting of Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B ("Scary Spice"); Melanie Chisholm, or Melanie C ("Sporty Spice"); Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"); Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice"); and Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"). With their "girl power" mantra, they redefined the girl-group concept by targeting a young female fanbase.

They led the teen pop resurgence of the 1990s, were a major part of the Cool Britannia era, and became pop culture icons of the decade.

The group formed through auditions held by managers Bob and Chris Herbert, who wanted to create a girl group to compete with the British boy bands popular at the time.

After a bidding war, they signed a five-album deal with Virgin Records in July 1995. and released their debut single "Wannabe" in 1996, which reached number one on the charts of 37 countries.

Their debut album, Spice (1996), sold more than 23 million copies worldwide,[8] becoming the best-selling album by a female group in history.