Melanie C was, for many, a bit of a Spice Girl's favourite when the all-girl pop group landed in the charts back in the 90's. When the group disbanded, fans expected the members to go on to other things, and Mel C did not disappoint with her ventures that came after. Numerous solo albums in, several sold-out world tours and a string of solo hits behind her, Mel C is now launching her latest project – Sweat, a fun and punchy dance album.
To promote this, the singer has done a small number of album launch parties, the most recent being at Bristol's Rough Trade, where Mel C played to an intimate crowd. I was looking forward to attending, having followed Mel's career closely since her days with the Spice Girls and even attended a number of her world tours over the years.
Yesterday's sold-out event in Bristol was a testament to the fact that Mel C still has that magic after all these years. Arriving on stage with her musicians, Mel C performed a number of tracks from her upcoming album and even threw in a couple of her classic solo hits, such as Never Be The Same Again. She ended the evening with Spice Up Your Life, a nod to the glory days of the unstoppable Spice Girls, but even alone on stage, a solo artist with everything stripped back, Mel carried out a captivating performance that had the audience on a high with nostalgia.
Amongst others, she showcased track Undefeated Champion from Sweat, one of the catchiest numbers of the evening. Mel's love of dance music and her ties to the DJ/club scene are evident in her latest work, with the new album offering feel-good uptempo numbers that really stick with you.
All in all, Mel C's intimate album launch gig in Bristol really hit the sweet spot with fans. An audience made up of all ages and backgrounds, her gig was a reminder of the unifying charm of music. It was a fun, nostalgic and charming evening where fans of the artist got to see her up-close-and personal, and reminded us all why Mel C is a personal favourite Spice Girl for so many, even after all these years.
