The Spice Girls are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut single "Wannabe" with the release of "The Singles Collection," a comprehensive box set featuring their complete catalog of singles and B-sides. However, the announcement has been met with fan disappointment, as many had hoped for a reunion tour rather than a collection heavily populated with remixes.
The most expensive offering in the collection is a £277.99 bundle that includes 14 7" vinyl records and a 14-CD pack, along with a poster and stickers. A CD-only box set is available for £94.99.
While the band had hinted at "surprises from the vault," the tracklisting for the 14 CDs reveals a significant number of remixes. For example, the first CD contains 13 different versions of "Wannabe," including karaoke and instrumental editions, alongside the single's original B-side, "Bumper to Bumper." The second CD similarly features 12 remixes of "Say You'll Be There" and its B-side, "Take Me Home." CD 13 includes further club remixes of "Wannabe," while CD 14 offers demos of the band's hits, including four previously unreleased tracks.
One of the lesser-known B-sides included is "Spice Invaders," a track from the "Spice Up Your Life" era where the group members speak over a backing track. The song was reportedly created under pressure when songwriters were tasked with producing a B-side quickly, with the band members improvising dialogue.
Despite the fan backlash, three of the collections, including the £277 set, sold out within 24 hours of their release. Fans had anticipated a tour announcement following the group's teasing of a major news reveal. Social media comments reflected this sentiment, with many users expressing a desire for a full lineup tour and for "Spice World" to be made available on streaming platforms.
Plans for a 30th-anniversary tour were reportedly axed in March after the group could not agree on the details. Similarly, a proposed Netflix project to commemorate the anniversary was also rumored to have been canceled. Member Mel C has previously stated that while the group communicates regularly and wishes to do something to mark the milestone, no reunion is currently in the works, though she remains optimistic about future possibilities. Victoria Beckham has consistently prioritized her fashion career, previously stating that while the Spice Girls gave her confidence, performing is no longer her primary focus and she is unsure of her current singing ability.
