Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
Twenty years after the Spice Girls high-kicked their way to the top of the pops, Little Mix are introducing girl power to a new generation, only their brand of female empowerment wears bodysuits and is punctuated with a hair flick.
Winners of Simon Cowell’s hit-making machine X Factor, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson presented a polished performance at Auckland’s Spark Arena last night.
Scroll down for gallery.
Little Mix kept fans (and their chaperones) waiting 30 minutes past the scheduled start time, but the delay fuelled the sugar-rush energy of the room, and groups of girls in tutus and flashing bunny ears performed dance routines for the camera that panned across the crowd. Dabbing dads sent the underage crowd into hysterics.
“The girls” arrived on stage with their latest empowerment anthem ‘Power’, dressed in what could loosely be described as grand prix-inspired bodysuits with strategically-placed cut outs.
“Who got the power? I got the, I got the power” they sang, and the crowd sang along to every word, waving their Little Mix-brand flashing light sticks in the air.
For an international pop show the production values were minimal; the girls were only accompanied on stage by four other dancers, choosing instead to invest in video production and a solid dance routine.
Little Mix’s ability to belt out the notes while landing every dance move was beyond impressive; no one could accuse them of not taking this pop business - or their fans who had paid a lot of money to be there - seriously.
With four albums to their name and more than a handful of hits, the 70-minute-long set did feel too short, though it was not lacking in punch. ‘Salute’, ‘Hair’ and ‘Touch’ were highlights, as was ‘Secret Love Song, Pt. II’, which they dedicated to their LGBT fans.
They closed the evening with the stomping ‘Shoutout to my Ex’, a song about leaving dirtbag exes behind, which is a concept that was likely still an abstract one for the majority of the audience.
But the group’s overall message of friendship, having fun and wearing cool outfits is a universal one that has no age limit.
There were a few grumbles from parents about the late start and the price of the merchandise (t-shirts were $60, hoodies $110), but the joy of the young fans was palpable as they left the venue, their sugar rush further intensified by seeing their favourite pop stars in the flesh.
I felt a small twinge of envy, recalling my own childhood dreams of one day seeing the Spice Girls in concert. As far as modern day girl power groups go, Little Mix proved last night they are worthy torchbearers.
Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
Little Mix performing at Auckland's Spark Arena Photo: Garry Brandon
