Web: melaniec.net
Contact: melissa@highrisepr.com
Players: Melanie C, vocals, decks
It’s easy to forget, given the fact that the world has churned up so much in the years between, but there was a time when the Spice Girls was one of the biggest groups in the world. As synonymous with the ‘90s as Brit-pop and grunge, the Spice Girls were somehow hyper-choreographed yet utterly unpolished. They loudly proclaimed that it was ok for girls to be themselves—a sea of whirling hair, Union Jack dresses, impossible-to-ignore choruses and, yes, Girl Power! Frankly, the Spice Girls were a phenomenon.
And then they were gone. The 1996 debut album Spice was followed by Spiceworld in ’97. By 2000’s Forever, Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell was out and the album, while reaching number two in the U.K. album chart, wasn’t as well received. It would prove to be the group’s last studio record.
A year before that, Melanie “Sporty Spice” C had released her debut solo album, 1999’s Northern Star. This year’s Sweat is her ninth, though her first since 2020’s self-titled effort. It feels like it’s been a while since we heard anything from Sporty, because it has. A lot has happened in the past four years, but Mel C is still a brilliant show-woman.
She always had a voice that stood out in the Spice Girls. Powerful, emotive and bursting with the sort of energy you might expect from someone nicknamed “Sporty.” She’s still playing with that image. On this tour, the merch stand features shirts adorned with the slogan “Sporty Says Sweat.”
She’s well aware that there are plenty of people in attendance who adore her band, so C performed three Spice Girls songs: “Say You’ll be There (acoustic), “Who Do You Think You Are,” and a lively “Spice Up Your Life.” Predictably, the crowd went wild.
But the set was packed with goodies. It’s interesting that she only played songs from the new Sweat and that Northern Star solo debut. Nothing from the seven solo albums in-between. But Sweat is a dance-pop monster of a record, not least the pumping title track, and the opening “Undefeated Champion.”
Still, the closing “I Turn to You,” from the debut, proved the perfect way to conclude the evening. The catchiest of choruses, the hottest of beats—the song is the perfect vehicle for C’s vocal range and energy. It’s simply wonderful to have her back!
Photo by @rodjianalina (photographer) and @qromag
