Ireland

Spice Girl Mel B's message to fans after Dublin gig sound complaints

Geri Horner, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Picture by Andrew Timms/PA Wire
Geri Horner, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Picture by Andrew Timms/PA Wire Geri Horner, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Picture by Andrew Timms/PA Wire

SINGER Mel B has responded to criticism of poor sound quality at The Spice Girls' opening reunion concert in Dublin's Croke Park on Friday night.

She said she hopes the sound and vocals will be "much, much better" at the next date in Cardiff.

This was the group's first gig in seven years, with some fans paying up to €110 for a ticket.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was among those to see the girl group's opening reunion concert.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his sister Sonia Varadkar arrive at Croke Park stadium in Dublin for the Spice Girls tour. Picture by Tom Honan/PA Wire
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his sister Sonia Varadkar arrive at Croke Park stadium in Dublin for the Spice Girls tour. Picture by Tom Honan/PA Wire Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his sister Sonia Varadkar arrive at Croke Park stadium in Dublin for the Spice Girls tour. Picture by Tom Honan/PA Wire

However, some concert-goers took to social media to say they could not hear and that the sound was "awful", with reports of some leaving early.

Fans in the stands appeared to be particularly affected, with complaints they could not hear what the band members were saying.

However, others tweeted that the show was "fabulous" and a "cracking concert".

Spice Girls fans (rear, left to right) Bella Flynn, Celine Buckley, Lisa Donohoe and Amanda Mulvaney, (front, left to right) Kellie Buckley and Gemma Collins, arrive at Croke Park stadium in Dublin for the Spice World tour. Photo: Tom Honan/PA Wire
Spice Girls fans (rear, left to right) Bella Flynn, Celine Buckley, Lisa Donohoe and Amanda Mulvaney, (front, left to right) Kellie Buckley and Gemma Collins, arrive at Croke Park stadium in Dublin for the Spice World tour. Photo: Tom Honan/PA Wire Spice Girls fans (rear, left to right) Bella Flynn, Celine Buckley, Lisa Donohoe and Amanda Mulvaney, (front, left to right) Kellie Buckley and Gemma Collins, arrive at Croke Park stadium in Dublin for the Spice World tour. Photo: Tom Honan/PA Wire

More than 70,000 people turned out for the gig, which opened with a performance of Spice Up Your Life and a fireworks display.

In a video uploaded to Instagram after the gig, Mel B acknowledged the sound problems and thanked fans for attending the show.

Mel Brown, Emma Bunton, Geri Horner and Melanie Chisholm - aka Scary, Baby, Ginger and Sporty Spice - are performing 13 dates on the Spice World tour of the UK and Ireland.

Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: Andrew Timms/PA Wire
Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: Andrew Timms/PA Wire Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: Andrew Timms/PA Wire

It is the first time the group has performed since the closing ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012, and the first without original member Victoria Beckham.

Melanie Chisholm told the crowd it was very special for the band to be back in Dublin.

She said: "In '98, we started our world tour in Dublin, so we truly are home. It's got a very special place in our hearts."

Geri Horner of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo:Andrew Timms/PA Wire
Geri Horner of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo:Andrew Timms/PA Wire Geri Horner of the Spice Girls in concert at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo:Andrew Timms/PA Wire