The Big Reunion when all is said and done

Last week was the last of the current series of The Big Reunion and it ended with the concert I went to at the end of February.

It didn't show the whole concert but it was still good to relive it all, so much so that I have now pre-ordered the concert DVD and will be going to the Christmas party gig at the O2 in December.  

Watching the concert I was a little relieved (and disappointed) that I didn't make the cut. My friend's friends were in one shot though. Well I knew I was there.

I thought I would use a post to talk about the Big Reunion. I have seen many of these shows - Take That and Spice Girls, where they re-interview old bands who reflect on the good ol' days. Only to reveal that they were not that great and they were plagued by self-doubt, drugs and lots of sex with older fans. The Take That one broke my six-year-old fan heart that the guys were less than perfect. 

I was relieved that watching the Spice Girls one that they were friends with each other, well we all knew Mel B and Geri were at each others throats, but I suppose the most telling thing is that Victoria is never really with other girls anymore. I suppose if I had a multi-million pound global fashion house I wouldn't want to be associated with the 'Posh' Spice label still.

Also the Steps one which was upsetting as they really didn't like each other, so when I saw them on tour all I kept thinking was 'they hate each other really'.

So I was little apprehensive when I saw this show was going to be on. It featured all the bands that I loved when I was a child in the nineties, I saw some as well at radio roadshows. For a re-cap the show featured Honeyz, B*Witched, 5ive, 911, Liberty X, Atomic Kitten and later one Blue, who didn't really split up recently but ah well.

It was a really interesting show revealing what it was like to be in a band during those years. Record labels pushing them to the edge of their sanity if they knew they were on to a good thing. All the bands left on quite good terms, Atomic Kitten always seemed to be fighting, very fiery. 5ive as well were quite interesting proper bad boys.

I loved 5ive and fell more in love with them after the show. They are and were fantastic.

But at the end of the day it was interesting and good to see the bands gelling quite well after all these years.

It does make you wonder after the success of this show who will be in the next series - Cleopatra? Busted? Hear'say? S Club 7? Who knows?

Viva Forever, Piccadilly Theatre, London - Preview

As you know I am a child of the 90s and I am a massive fan of The Spice Girls.

So imagine my delight when I heard many months ago that the legend that is Jennifer Saunders was writing a musical using their songs and it was being produced by Judy Craymer, the producer behind Mamma Mia. So far, so good.

Again imagine my delight when a friend told me her sister could get us preview tickets for the musical for only £35.

The show officially opens tomorrow but last Tuesday I was sat in the theatre watching it.

I have to admit as a massive Spice Girl fan I was a little nervous, worried it was going to be a re-hash or telling their story. When you listen to the songs they are little stories and I was worried the story wouldn't do the songs justice.

I won't give too much away but basically the story is set around Viva and her three friends who are a band. The enter a reality show (X-Factor style) however, their mentor decides that maybe Viva would be better on her own...

I will admit that I loved this musical. There is great humor  as you would expect from something written by Jennifer Saunders, the songs fit nicely into the story and don't seem forced. 

Obviously I saw a preview so the actual show maybe slightly different from the one I saw. However, I did get to see Jennifer and Judy who were watching in the audience, brilliant to see two greats in real life.

As you would expect the classics are in there Too Much, Wannabe, Say You'll be There and Who Do You Think You Are. Also included is Do It and Denying great Spiceworld album tracks.

My favourite though is Geri Halliwell's Look At Me it is made for a musical.

It also has a great cast Viva is played by Hannah John-Kamen, who is making her debut. Her voice is amazing. Other cast members include comedian Lucy Montgomery who you may recognise from Absolutely Fabulous, The Might Boosh and Tittybangbang; Simon Slater;  Sally Dexter; Sally Ann Triplett who was in Mamma Mia; Tamara Wall who played Martina in Eastenders and was the original Brooke in Legally Blonde.

If you are a Spice Girls fan you will love this musical it is all about Girl Power - love and friendship. If you hate the Spice Girls maybe give it a miss. I cannot wait to see it again with my mum and sisters.

Memories.....The Spice Girls

It is true that music can evoke memories, can take you back to a time gone by and make you feel the same way you did then.

Recently I have been listening to a lot of the Spice Girls, the greatest hits to be precise. No matter what mood I am in I can guarantee that after listening to Wannabe, Who do you think you are or Spice up your life I have a happy glow and feel instantly better.

I was 10 when the Spice Girls came out in 1996. I remember a girl in my class had printed off the lyrics to Wannabe, I didn't have sky or music channels at home so had no idea who they were but we sung the songs and made up dance routines.

When I did see them for the first time I was hooked and my obsession grew over the next few years. I had everything Spice Girls; the dolls, a cardboard cut out of Scary Spice (each of the girls had nicknames created by Smash Hits magazine - Baby, Sporty, Posh and Ginger), stickers, an alarm clock, pillows, you name it I had it still have it I hope up in my loft.

Spice Girls were the face of Pepsi, Walkers crisps and Cadbury's chocolate so no other brand would do, if it was good enough for them it was good enough for me.


I had platform trainers, one pair were black trainers with a white flatform heel, which I defaced. In the Move Over video/Pepsi advert Geri had a similar pair with Pepsi written on, so I did the same with permanent maker. My mum was not happy. I also, shamefully, had a neon green PVC pair of platform trainers that I even wore to school! My best friend at the time even tried to nick them, I loved them but looking back they were a thing of their time.

I remember being late for school once as me and my friend were waiting for the premiere of the Spice up your life video on MTV, the only time I was late for school.

If they were in any magazine be it Smash Hits, Top of the Pops or TV Hits I bought it and cut out each page and picture. I had folders full of interviews and even got the inflatable dolls from Smash Hits.

I remember being jealous of my sister's neon coloured Spice Girls puffa jackets.

I never got to see them live at the time but did see their comeback gig at the O2 a few years ago, a massive concert highlight for me.

Growing up Girl Power was a big thing to me, the Spice Girls made you realise 'yer you are a girl and you can be yourself and be who you want to be'. They were my idols and I think without Girl Power 90s I wouldn't be the person I am today.

I am going to see the Spice Girls musical in December - Viva Forever written by Jennifer Saunders, I can't wait, even just to hear the tunes sung live again.

Whenever I hear a Spice Girls song I can't help but smile, they were the first band I truly became obsessed with and are a part of me and growing up. I will also make sure my kids know all the words and love them.

So...

Viva the Spice Girls!!!!

Mel C, Mel B, Emma, Geri and Victoria!

If you were a child in the 90s you will love Poptastic

I am feeling nostalgic so be prepared for more 90s nostalgia posts.


The thing that has sparked this longing for the past is one of my Christmas presents from my mum, the 3 CD album... Poptastic!


I was born in 1986 and grew up in the 90s so this  CD has all the songs I can remember from my school disco days and I love it!

I remember when pop was cheesy and 'cool', when you used to cut out the lyrics to your favourite songs form Smash Hits magazine, and the only music channels were The Box and MTV.

You would learn all the dance moves to your fave songs and then perform them at the disco.
I remember when Victoria Beckham was known as Victoria Adams and Holly Valance was Flick in Neighbours.

This CD is three CDs of cheesy pop gold. Ok, so they aren't the coolest songs but you can sing along and dance to them. They just don't make pop songs like that anymore.

A lot of the bands on there I saw at Power in Portsmouth and Power in the Park held in Southampton, these were organised by Power FM (now Capital) and included all the best pop acts. I saw Billie, Honeyz, Steps, 5ive, A1 and Gary Barlow at these gigs. All of them (except Gary Barlow) are on the CD.

So to wet your appetite here are just some of the songs featured:
* Wannabe - Spice Girls - Classic!
* Never Ever - All Saints
* Pure and Simple - Hear'say
* Same old Brand new you -  A1
* Life is a Rollercoaster - Ronan Keating
* Bye, Bye, Bye - N*Sync,
* C'est la Vie - B*Witched
* Cleopatra's Theme - Cleopatra

I know all are not particularly cool but classic 90s pop songs. It makes you realise how rubbish pop has become.

So if you were a child in the 90s early 00s you will love, love, love this CD.

Thank you for the music

Music can evoke memories, conjure up happy or sad feelings or transport you back to a time and place.

Sometimes you don't realise how important music is in your life, be it that song you sing at the top of your voice when you need an ego boost or the song you dance to when getting ready for a night out.

There are songs that remind you of first loves, exes, holidays or gigs.

I do love my music but I don't think I really realised how important it is and how it can have an impact on my mood. So in a short post I thought I would put down some songs that are important to me.

I suppose I should start with the song that made me want to write this post... Scott Mills played The Futureheads 'Hounds of Love' on his Wonder Years on Radio 1 the other day...this was a song I bought because the guy I was seeing liked it and it reminded me of him. Now it reminds me of him, when he broke my heart for the last time (after six or seven good gos) I decided I hated the stupid song, so I did what any rational person would do, I smashed it with a hammer, it was  CD by the way. It felt good though believe me.

Then there is Outkast 'Hey Ya', I love, love, love this song! It reminds me of my first (and only) girly holiday to Dublin, it came on in a club called Q I think, it was an amazing night out and an amazing holiday. Britney Spears 'Toxic' brings back the same memories.

Anything Spice Girls reminds me of my childhood days, especially 'Spice up Your Life' which I remember going to my friend's grans house before school to watch the premiere of the video, we were subsequently late for school, well worth it. Me and my friend even had a band which sung Spice Girl's covers, fantastic. Aaahh those were the days.

Then gigs...my first gig was Boyzone, I know! But now Kylie Minogue 'Love at First Sight' obviously reminds me of meeting the great lady and being on cloud 9 dancing to it. And of course 'Vlad the Impaler' reminds me of the fantastic Kasabian gig in Brighton.

I will admit that I don't go out as much as I used but there are songs now that when I hear them it reminds me of those days J-Kwon 'Tipsy' reminds me of a shots bar, which I was sick in but that's by the by. 'Golddigger' by Kayne I can remember dancing with my friend.

And then there are the songs that make my heart melt because they remind me of that special someone in my life... like Elbow 'One Day Like This' is just one.

Its like when I hear the instrumental version of 'Kissing You' from Romeo and Juliet I burst into tears, it reminds me of my friends wedding.

I know it's silly but music is one of those things and I felt compelled to write about my love of music.

So to all bands and singers Thank you for the music!

Hi, my name's Charlotte and I'm a Buffy-o-holic.

The nineties were all about girl power. The Spice Girls were the fore-runners and although I loved them and their pioneering girl power, there was always one female fighter who symbolised what it was to be a girl, with a no mess attitude who could dress pretty but kick your arse if she wanted. That girl was Buffy Summers.


The programme started in 1997 and seven series later it ended (2003). It propelled its stars, and a teen queen in the form of Sarah Michelle Gellar was born.

Buffy was unlike any other show out at the time, of course there was Dawson's Creek (which I did love), but that show sometimes was just too much, the teens looked about 30 and used a lot of very long words. With Buffy there were dramas but also demons, and the stars looked about the right age.


The show was just fantastic and some episodes were so dark and creepy. Episodes such as Nightmares or Hush where the creepy and frightening is brought in to the real world, but thank the lord there was always Buffy ready to fight to the death, which she did, I think she died twice.

She fell in love with Angel and lost herself to him to not only get her heart broken but I think he also tried to kill her. Toxic boyfriend on a major level, I think that is the problem sometimes with Edward he is just hormones whereas Angel was loving, tortured and potentially dangerous. (I will note here that I am a Twilight fan and love Edward, but it's always Angel).

For a show about ghosts and ghouls it was really relateable.  The teenage angst and problems were all that we could look at.

Even now watching the episodes although the clothes have dated and they use videos instead of DVDs, they haven't dated that much, well, the first season it a little dated but it was 1997. Buffy showed girls that you could be your own person and take no prisoners, she also didn't rely totally on men. Also even though she was pretty she was still on the outside and never in the 'in-crowd' so everyone could relate to her, she had her close friends and that's all she needed.

The love of Angel and Buffy, a love that was meant to be but couldn't. Whereas Bella and Edward are intense and all powerful, and a little creepy Buffy and Angel were passion and love. Soul mates.... I was devastated when they split, Riley never compared!

The script was fast-paced and witty, written to perfection. The show finished in 2003 but I still love it as much today as I did then. I have had a slight overload and been watching it constantly. I know this is sad but I honestly think I would be a different person if I had not watched Buffy in my younger days. It lost its way a little in season 7 but it was still pretty good.

It feels me with dread that there have been rumours of a Buffy film re-make, no SMG, no Alyson Hannigan, in their place Megan Fox............... I will boycott LEAVE IT WELL ALONE!

Josh Whedon was a genius! So come on then everyone Once More With Feeling... we love Buffy as it is so leave it well alone!

Miss Kylie Minogue

I have been writing this blog for well over a year and I am very surprised that I have never written a post on my idol. I mentioned her in the idol post briefly but nothing just about my idol, who is..... Miss Kylie Minogue.


I have liked Kylie for as long as I can remember. My mum has always watched Neighbours so even as a small child in the 80s I can remember seeing her as Charlene with the gorgeous Scott. As much as I was obsessed with Kylie I was convinced I would marry Jason Donovan. I remember taking his cassette (yes I'm that old) to school just so I could look at his picture sa but true, but then I was only five. I can remember going to my cousin's house in Kidderminster and we would watch her Kylie video and my Jason one.


I will admit I dropped out of my Kylie phase a little in the 90s, during her impossible princess stage when I was being a Pop Princess. I fell in love with Take That and the Spice Girls. Then nearing the millennium Kylie released the pop hit Spinning Around and I was hooked.


That was it really, I do love Kylie Minogue I'm not obsessed, but I think she is amazing. I love the X album and Confide in Me and Love at First Sight are my all time favourite songs.


In all my years of Kylie mania I never had the opportunity to see her live. During her Showgirl tour over five years ago I hinted so much for tickets but no one picked up the hint. Then she was diagnosed with cancer.


I was thrilled when I got to go to the V&A and see all her costumes and clothes over the years: seeing in the flesh the iconic symbols that have made Kylie who she is today.




I watched the White Diamond documentary with a tear in my eye, bought the books and was mildly shocked when she parted ways with her visionary ill Baker (they are ok now though).


Finally in 2008 I got tickets to see Kylie's X tour, to say I was overjoyed is putting it lightly I was ecstatic. Finally after all these years I would see her concerts in the flesh rather than on my TV. When I saw a competition in a magazine to win tickets to see Kylie, I thought I would enter, who knows if I don't win then I'm already going if I do I can go twice.


Now, I was at work and I received a load of missed calls from an unknown number. When I finally picked up I was told I had won a competition. I had no idea what they meant. So when the woman then told me what I had won I went into, what I can only describe as shock. She said: "You have won a night stay in a five star hotel in London, travel to and from London, a new mobile phone, a spa treatment at the hotel, tickets for the gig and a meet and greet with Kylie before the gig. Are you free to do this?" I just muttered yes, not quite knowing what the hell was going on.


As soon as I hung up the phone I'll admit it, I burst into tears. The five year old in me running about like a crazy person. Then I rung everyone I could think of and asked my manager for the day off.


I saw the first gig on the Sunday, which was amazing. Then a couple of days later I was back at the O2 after having an amazing back massage, all ready and scared that meeting my idol was not going to happen. When we sat down in the room full of a load of Kylie fans I could not keep my eyes off the door. And then it happened, Miss Minogue walked through and I had to hold back the tears.


To be honest it was a bit of a blur, she was stood in front of me, the complexion of a china doll, tiny frame and loads of stage make up. I talked to her about the concert and not much else but it was really good.


We had our photo taken with her, Kylie was amazing saying how to pose, with a pout and a smile.It was the best thing ever to happen to me. Afterwards I was jumping around singing "I've met Kylie Minogue!" As you can tell from the photo I am just a little bit happy at being stood so close to my idol.




I have tickets for the Les Follies tour, I am so excited, seen a little bit and it looks amazing! Look out for a gig review in April.


Here is the proof by the way....