It is without a doubt one of if not THE biggest concert in the North East this year and excitement was high for Spice Girls arrival in Sunderland.
It was back in November that the girl group responsible for huge hits like Wannabe, Spice Up Your Life, Mama and Holler announced their Spice World tour and after delighting fans in Dublin, Cardiff, Coventry and Manchester, Thursday brings Emma, Geri, Mel B and Mel C to Sunderland 's Stadium of Light.
Doors to the stadium itself did not open until 5pm but fans started gathering there well before that, including one who'd flown over from Spain with the mission to be in the front row for the show.
Just over the bridge, the party got going early in the Sunniside Quarter with the Spice Girls Fan Zone.
Before the Fan Zone was filled with football fans for England's game, Spice Girls classics filled the air.
The girls themselves got on stage around 8.30pm after support act Jess Glynne has entertained at 7.15pm.
