Sporty Spirit Soars As Melanie C Electrifies Manchester

Back in the day Victoria Beckham was involved in a famous chart tryst with Sophie Ellis-Bextor as she launched her solo career with the Dane Bowers/True Steppers collaboration Out Of Your Mind. Fast forward 26 years, and Melanie C is currently locked into a big chart battle with KNEECAP as both acts attempt to achieve their first-ever #1 charting album in the UK. While KNEECAP are relative newcomers compared to Sporty Spice, this release marks Melanie's ninth studio album. Having peaked, in terms of chart positions, with her debut release, Northern Star, back in 1999, her #4 position on the album charts is the one she is aiming to beat. Having re-conquered the Top 10 with 2020's Melanie C, which peaked at #8, she has spent the days since the release of Sweat on the road, performing at intimate album launch shows and pop-up appearances in record stores to meet and greet her still very loyal fanbase.

As she takes to the stage at Manchester's jam-packed Academy 2, she is met with a huge roar and is clearly taken aback by the outburst of pure love and joy that fills the space. Launching into the title track of her new album, Sweat, the explosion into a sing-along is immediate, and it is very clear that her less than a week-old album has fully resonated with her audience. The dance-driven sound sees Melanie C bouncing joyously around the stage as she delivers three further cuts from the latest release: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?, Undefeated Champion and an anthem for her LGBTQIA+ allies, Attitude.

Having worked up a sweaty frenzy from her thrilled audience, the pace slows to reflect the intimacy of the setting. As her drummer, Ricci, joins her front of stage armed with an acoustic guitar, she shares her joy at being back up north and sharing this moment with an audience just 40 minutes away from where she grew up and dedicates the title track from her debut album, Northern Star, to her long-standing fans. This tender moment is followed by a duet with an audience member of Never Been The Same Again and the bouncy Spice Girls classic, Spice Up Your Life, before a return to her new material and her personal favourite, the euphoric Drum Machine.

With the crowd really erupting with sheer glee, Melanie is clearly touched and has to take a brief moment to wipe her eyes as she thanks fans for their loyalty, love and dedication. As she notes that she is excited about the prospect of her first solo #1 album, she asks everyone to join her in one final celebration – regardless of where the album ends up charting, it is clear as she launches into the exhilarating I Turn To You that Melanie C's live prowess has not lost any of its impact.