How Melanie C sold out San Francisco with ‘Sweat’ & Spice

Tuesday, September 22nd was no ordinary Tuesday in San Francisco. The one and only Melanie C (more commonly known to many as Mel C, aka, Sporty Spice — that’s right, one of the SPICE GIRLS!!), rolled into town for a special sold-out show at the newly renovated historic Castro Theater.

30 years ago, the Spice Girls released “Wannabe” — their debut single. It was a worldwide, overnight success, sparking a pop culture phenomenon of girl power that dominated mainstream society until the mid-2000s. After 25 long-awaited years, Mel C finally returned to San Francisco, newlywed and with her newly released album, Sweat, in tow.

Melanie C seemed happier than ever and in the best shape of her life!

The new album is a slight departure from her past solo albums following her Spice era. Sweat is Melanie C’s 9th solo album and full of bangers fit for a dance club; they make you wanna move. Melanie C began DJing eight years ago, too, and those influences are at the forefront of the new album.

Opening the sold-out evening was experimental pop artist Sur Back, a musical project of the former Floridian ballerina Caroline Sans. Sur Back performed new songs with backing tracks while layering enchanting vocals; she gave me Lorde vibes in both her music styling and her stage presence. San Francisco was treated to a special guest following Sur Back when Lady Camden graced the stage. Runner-up on the 14th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Lady Camden surprised the audience with a medley performance of the Spice Girls’ greatest hits, dressed in a stunning outfit sequined to look like the British flag, with hair styled like Baby Spice, and white platform boots to complete the iconic Spice Girls look.

After Lady Camden fired up the crowd, Melanie C’s set began with “Undefeated Champion” — one of the many great new songs from Sweat. Melanie C was wearing a boxing robe, embellished with the song title on the back. Performing every song off of the new album with high energy and an acoustic break in between, Melanie C has been letting fans vote every night for either a deep cut older solo song or a Spice Girls song. Before the San Francisco show, it was split down the middle on Instagram between three different songs: “Northern Star”, “2 Become One”, and “Viva Forever”. Since the poll was so close, Melanie C performed all three to an ecstatic crowd.

This show felt like getting three shows in one. Melanie C even performed a short deejay set!

The night closed with more Spice Girls songs, including “Who Do You Think You Are” and “Spice Up Your Life”, as well as Mel C’s first solo single from 1999, “I Turn To You”. As a major Spice Girls fan and 90s baby, growing up with a Spice Girls poster on my wall, I left this show extremely satisfied; the entire experience felt very surreal and I’m sure I’m not alone in that sentiment. Every single person in the sold-out crowd had a smile on their face and looked as if they, too, were in a dream. Congratulations, Melanie C, on the stellar new album and successful tour! Here’s to hoping for your return to SF sooner than later. Maybe even with some sisters 😉 

Photography by Katey Schoenberger

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