Qulture Magazine

Words & Photos; @lightninrosemedia

If like me, you grew up through the height of Y2K’s pop culture and dabbled in all things Spice Girls, then you’ll know how excited I was for this intimate show celebrating the launch of Melanie C’ new album ‘Sweat’.

Earlier in the day she had put on a signing for her fans in the centre of Glasgow at Assai Records, and this felt very much like the after party for that. When I arrived the queue was snaking all the way along the road outside the venue, eager die hard Mel C and Spice Girls Fans, braving the cold (Scottish summertime at its best) to get a glimpse of Mel performing songs from her new album.

There was a brief issue with my press pass, and I would like to say the venue was helpful but security wasn’t the friendliest, I did however manage to get it sorted through her publicist and management team just in time to get into the pit for her arrival on stage.

Melanie came bouncing on to the stage with the kind of energy you get after downing two cans of Red Bull (not an advertisement) but I think it was just genuine excitement at being back on stage, doing what she loves, for her super loyal fans…P.S. I hope I look that good at 52!

Wearing a shiny Blue tracksuit, which just screamed Sporty Spice and epitomizes who Melanie C has always been, staying true to herself, she chatted away to the audience like she was just having a natter down the Cafe with her mates. Opening on a high with the title single from the album ‘Sweat’ the crowd went crazy. A super high energy dancy pop track, which samples Diana Ross’ ‘Work That Body’, it felt like Mel C was finally back, and knew exactly what her vision was with her Ninth Studio Album and this mini press tour.

In between each songs Melanie talked a bit about each track, being back in the music game, and making sure the message got across to her fans, of how much she truly appreciated every single person in the room.

Of course, Melanie C knew exactly what the fans wanted and gave us a whistle stop tour of her career. A perfect rendition of ‘Never Be the Same Again’ from her first ever 1999 studio album ‘Northern Star’, the nostalgia came flooding back to me dancing round my bedroom with a hair brush, then we got two more tracks from her new album. My personal favourite ‘Undefeated Champion’ which is another great dance track, perfect for pumping through your earbuds at the gym, then the track ‘Attitude’ which has some really old skool dance beats throughout.

Melanie talked a little bit about the music industry and her struggles in the past with mental health, at one point just wanting to give up, but how she overcame it and realized that you can do whatever you want and find success if you stay true to yourself and who you are (generalized this and took out some swear words – but you get the jist). I think that’s why her fans are so loyal after all this time, she is truly one of those ‘celebrities’ who is still extremely humble and down to earth.

The room then fell silent as she sang a beautiful version of the single ‘Northern Star’ from her same titled first album. Just as I thought things couldn’t get any better, I heard the opening chords of ‘Spice up Your Life’ and the energy in the room was electric, everyone living out their teenage dreams and bonding in such a community type of way, it was like we were all just at our friend’s house party and singing along to an absolute banger that came on someone’s playlist!

Melanie then Sang her favourite song from the album (while joking that she shouldn’t say that) ‘Drum Machine’ and I have to admit, even though I am a complete Metalhead these days, I do still love a good old dance tune and this one is right up there, very catchy, very easy on the ears and full of that early 2000s hit maker material. Easy to see why this is her favourite.

There was supposed to be an encore but Melanie joked that she was absolutely knackered so couldn’t be bothered, then proceeded to end on an absolute belter from the Melanie C Archives, ‘I Turn To You’ and I don’t think one person in the room wasn’t singing along!

Final Thoughts – So happy for Melanie C and the success she is having so far with this album, it’s definitely a feel good, girl power, f**k you record and I’m all here for it! She also let everyone know she will be back for a proper tour very soon, so watch this space!