NEW STUDIO ALBUM SWEAT DUE FOR RELEASE ON MAY1ST 2026 VIA VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP
- 2 days ago
- 14 min read
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Interviewer:
How are you doing today, Mel?
Melanie C:
I am good, I am exhausted. I’m in New York. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I was in Australia
filming The Voice for two months, and then came back to LA to do some promo, and went to
Coachella for the weekend, and now I’m just rounding up the trip in New York, so I’m quite looking forward to coming home. I’m very excited obviously, about this whirlwind of a tour
that I’m doing around the UK, to promote this album.
Interviewer:
Amazing. Did you catch anyone cool at Coachella?
Melanie C:
So many, so many great shows. I think my highlights were Disclosure, Labyrinth, and Iggy
Pop—so, so good. I mean, obviously, the headliners put on such a big show. Sabrina, Justin.
Well, obviously Justin’s is a little controversial, but no, it was just really, really good vibes.
And yeah, I’m being introduced to new artists. I didn’t really know a lot about Carol G, and
she, you know, definitely brought a fantastic end to the festival on Sunday.
Interviewer:
Brilliant stuff. I’m Jealous. It sounded like a great festival.
Melanie C:
Yeah, it was. The lineup was great.
Interviewer:
Now let’s talk about you, Mel. Let’s talk about Sweat, your forthcoming album. It feels like
your most liberated record. Yeah, so, you know, if you could—what changed for you
creatively this time around making this record?
Melanie C:
So many things have changed. Every album I’ve ever made, it’s really been a reflection of
that moment in my life. And over the last eight years, I’ve been DJing. I’ve been lucky enough
to play in so many great festivals all over the world, as well as playing in Ibiza. For the last
five years, I’ve been playing at Pacha. And it just really reignited a passion that I have for
dance music.
And it’s funny because I discovered raving when I was about 17, and I was going out—I was
in Spain with a group of friends on holiday, and we were like, what is this music? Everybody’s
so free when they’re dancing, and we were just completely hooked from the get-go. So
when we got back to London, we were like, right, we need to find our people, we’ve got to
find out where these raves are happening.
And I really got into that scene. It was such an incredible time. I grew up through the 80s
where, you know, nightclubs in the UK were, you know, a bit cheesy discos, and it was all a
little bit step touch, step touch when you were dancing.
So to find this incredible kind of movement that was happening with this, you know, music that was just so euphoric at times, and you know, for people to be dancing all night long, and so many different social backgrounds and communities coming together and socialising together, for the first time probably in history.
So this kind of felt like our movement, you know, as a young person, it was like my parents grew up through the 60s, of course, they had the Summer of Love, and this was almost like our version of that.
So that was all happening, and then when I turned 20, I auditioned for the band that became
the Spice Girls, and that of course took over my life. All of my priorities changed. We were so
focused, so determined to succeed. And then of course, once music was released, our
schedule was crazy, so there wasn’t much time for going out, socialising, and I’d almost left
that part of me behind.
I’d always loved dance music. Of course, it’s come into the mainstream, it’s influenced so
many styles of music, now you know Pop music is so influenced by electronic sounds. So I’ve
always listened to you know lots of different genres of dance and house, but I’ve never
really done that much as a solo artist.
I, of course, did the Hex Hector remix on my first album, Northern Star, which was a big, big
dance hit all over the world. So I’ve kind of toyed in that area, but for this album, I just
revisited those really early days.
And also, I’ve just been able to kind of reclaim who I was before I was a Spice Girl. I’ve had so
many influences through my life, I’ve been so lucky, worked with so many amazing people,
and this felt like the time to really put all of those pieces together.
And I really wanted to bring my work as a solo artist closer to what I play as a DJ. I play
multi-genre house when I’m out. So it was just nice to play with all of those different things
and find my own voice within that.
Interviewer:
That’s awesome.
Melanie C:
That was a long answer, sorry!
Interviewer:
You said that there was, you know, you discovered kind of teenage versions of yourself and
kind of that discovery of rave music and dance music, and there's a real sense of that
movement and physicality on this record, so did you produce, did you approach producing
this album kind of like more like a DJ set rather than a traditional pop album?
Melanie C:
I definitely approached things differently, like the perspective of a DJ is very different to the
perspective of an artist, and I really wanted the way I wanted the music to sound, the way I
wanted the music to make you feel.
And I was also really conscious that as a live performer I’m very energetic and I’ve got loads of confidence and quite a lot of attitude, and when I’m in the studio I’m a very different beast. But I thought I really have to create the music that I want to bring to life live on stage. So it was really important for me to find that person when I was in the studio.
And you know, I wanted to also have some fun. DJing has brought so much joy into my life in
the last few years, I’ve been out there playing live shows, festivals, alongside DJing, and I’ve
just been having the best time. And I really wanted that to translate onto this album.
And I’m so proud to be a Spice Girl and to be Sporty Spice, and I completely embrace that.
It’s such a huge part of who I am. And it’s funny, in interviews sometimes people will ask,
often they will ask, oh you know, how do you feel that you were called Sporty Spice and you
had to live up to this sporty persona, and it’s like I don’t have to live up to anything—you
know, I can’t - I’ve tried to not be her, and it’s impossible, you know.
I am very energetic, I’m very sporty, and it was just really fun to look at the album in that way as well and think about it lyrically. And obviously, a song like Sweat to me felt like the perfect introduction to the album—it has that energy, it’s a little bit tongue in cheek, it’s like a fitness banger, and that was, you know, a big part of what I wanted to create in the thread of this album.
Interviewer:
So when you’re making a track, are you imagining how it will land on the dancefloor to all
these new listeners?
Melanie C:
Yeah, 100%. This album, I think more than anything, I wasn’t thinking so much about people
sitting at home having a listen—it was about them being on the dancefloor. It was about
wanting to motivate and inspire people, either on the dancefloor or in the gym.
I think it’s a good album, probably to listen to with your mates while you’re getting ready for
going out. But, yeah, for me, something like Undefeated Champion—I can’t not smile when I
hear this song.
It’s kind of one of my anthems of self-empowerment, you know, picking yourself up when things have gone to sh*t. It’s something we can all identify with, right? We all need a little bit of motivation.
So, um, so yeah, I really thought about that. And as I’ve got older, and the more performing
that I’ve been able to do in my career, just like my love of that has like changed like so
much. I have so much appreciation for that transaction between you and the audience.
And here in New York, and in LA as well, I did some little album previews with fans—just like
a small group, like 30 fans—and then you know had a little chat with them, Q & A. And, it’s, you really. I think you forget, as a young person like how powerful the effect of your music is on people.
And what I’ve also learned is how powerfully affected your fanbase is on you, because it’s
such a two-way street, and yeah. Sometimes if I’m feeling really low, really tired, and then I
will see fans and they talk about how much they love the record—it just literally gives me
that boost and makes me really determined to get out there and get as many people to hear
this album as possible.
Interviewer:
So you said earlier today how you’re a bit tired, you’ve been travelling a lot— and you’ll be
back to the UK soon, and you’re starting off your in-store signing tour in Liverpool, back
home. How’s that going to feel, how are you feeling?
Melanie C:
Well, we’re in Liverpool on release day, which is, Honestly, I’m like, I don’t know why I’ve
never done it before. It’s such a great thing to do—to go home. It’s a city where, you know,
it’s a very proud city and they, you know, as a city of people they, they really embrace you
and look after you, and you know, celebrate you.
So I’m really excited to be there to do that. It feels very appropriate that I should go home
and you know, and thank my city for how, how supportive they’ve been over the years of me
as a Spice Girl and a solo artist.
So yeah, that’s going to be pretty special. And there’s so many cities and towns, you know
that we’re visiting—some places I don’t think I’ve ever been professionally before. So I’m
looking forward to seeing some new faces.
And, you know again, a little bit along the lines of what I answered in the last question, it’s
so important, you know, to get out there to the fans and the people who support you. I think
artists often expect a lot of their fans—I have fans, like all the Spice Girls do, some of our
fans like travel across the world to see shows.
So it’s really nice to be able to get to the people locally in their own neighbourhoods and
yeah, and just really share that experience with them.
Interviewer:
Are there any towns in particular you’re excited to see outside Liverpool?
Melanie C:
I mean, I’m excited to go everywhere. It’s funny because somewhere like Nantwich—I grew
up not far from there in Cheshire in that county—so it’s going to be interesting to go to
places like that where I’ve never been before.
Bury even. I don’t think I’ve ever been to Bury in my life, which is up in the northwest again,
not far from where I live. But great to get back up to Scotland—Glasgow, there’s always
such a warm reception there. It’s a great place to gig, great people, really friendly.
I think often, you know, us northerners—the further north you get, the more friendly people
become. So I’m going to, I think I’ll really cherish those moments being back up north in the
north of England and up in Scotland.
Obviously, I’m over in Leeds as well—we’ve got a lot of history there with Mel B being from
Leeds. My dad’s up there. So there are many, many places. Bristol—it will be wonderful to get back to. I’ve had some great gigs in Bristol. It’s such an incredible city, so creative. So many of the bands that have inspired me come from, you know, there of course—Massive Attack and that whole trip-hop era has been such a big influence on me always.
So yeah. It’s going to be wonderful. And then of course, places like London. London’s my
home—it has been for a long, long time, always excited to play there. I’m playing at Union
Chapel, a venue where I’ve guested with other people, but I’ve never had my own show, so
I’m very excited about that particular show.
And then all the record shops—we get to, you know. Being a girl who saved up her pocket
money to go down to— it was probably Woolworths for me—but, you know, just as we’ve
seen the record shops all struggle to survive, and then, you know, have an element of the
ones that have hung on in there, beginning to thrive again, is people who are, you know,
moving back towards physical copies.
You know, surprisingly to me, CDs - I get the Vinyl thing - but now people are back into CDs, which is wonderful. Um, I think the younger generation who have grown up with this incredible technology that we have to have access to everything always, you know, they miss out and, you know, they have missed out, so it’s great to see that little swing, going back to the, to the physical copy of a record we can appreciate. The artwork that you’ve got, the lyrics in your hands, and you know that was such a big part and influence of mine as I was growing up as a young music lover.
Interviewer:
With these signings that you’re doing, you know, at least in my experience, I see a lot of
signings, and they’re more stripped back sets, they’re more calm. Are you thinking that’s the
kind of thing you’re going to do, a bit more intimate, or will they still carry that high energy?
Melanie C:
We’re actually we’re going to keep mixing it up. I think obviously the environment that
you’re in really dictates what you want to do, so we’re planning some acoustic sets which
will be very stripped back, and then we’re looking at maybe doing more electronic sets
depending, again, on the venue.
And in Liverpool as well, I have an extra, like afterparty where I’m gonna DJ. So yeah, we’re
just going to keep mixing it up, keep, you know, playing new songs, some of the oldies, and
just really celebrate the release of this album, which is already being received so well. I’m
really, really excited for people to hear it in its entirety.
Interviewer:
And you’ll be taking this on your October headline tour, including a date at O2 Academy
Brixton. Which is such an iconic venue, massive venue. What does it mean for you to play
there at this stage in your career?
Melanie C:
This, for me, is, you know, I feel quite emotional about it. I’ve been to see some of my
favourite artists at Brixton Academy. I actually saw Madonna there way back in the
naughties, which was an insane venue to see her.
And, I’ve been on that stage—I guested with Blossoms a few years ago—but I have never
played there as a solo artist. And this will be my biggest UK headline show since I played
Wembley Arena, way back on my very first Northern Star back in like the very early
naughties.
So it means so much to me that at this point in my career, it’s 30 years since I started with
the Spice Girls, it is over 25 years since I became a solo artist, I’m in my 50s, I’m 52 years old,
and I’m playing this brilliant iconic venue for the very first time. So that show is going to be
extra special.
Interviewer:
You’ll have fans from all walks of life as you said, fans who knew you as a Spice Girl but also
as a solo artist. So, how are you gonna balance between giving fans the biggest hits and
introducing them to the new SWEAT era?
Melanie C:
This is a good question. So, my mind is buzzing right now with tour creative because like the
album, I want to approach this tour differently. I have this whole new perspective, and I am going to cram in as many hits as I can. I know, I know, as a gig goer I wanna hear the hits, right! I’m not going to leave anybody disappointed. I know the fans want to hear the deep cuts. But I’ve got plans. I want to keep everybody satisfied.
The live shows are, it’s a place where I can really bring this album to life, to celebrate my
career to this point. And, it’s going to be full of everything. It’s going to be really energetic, a
journey, and when they leave, I want them to be exhausted, but elated, and really sweaty.
(chuckles)
Interviewer:
That’s one way to introduce them to the SWEAT era. It’s exposure therapy, isn’t it!
Melanie C:
(laughs) Yeah exactly
Interviewer:
Now we’ll just talk a bit more briefly about your overall career, coz you’ve had one of the
most varied careers in British Pop history, and you’re still changing it now with the dance
and rave of SWEAT. So, what keeps you creatively hungry after all these years?
Melanie C:
I just love what I do. I love performing, I love that feeling of being on stage, releasing music,
and having that connection with people. I just have learned so much over the years about, as different as we all are, we share so much, we have so much in common. And, it’s really beautiful to be able to express yourself and to connect with other people. And that really truly is what keeps me going. And, other people’s music, you know to hear other artists and bands and how music changes and evolves, so yeah, I can’t imagine ever not being inspired to carry on and making new music.
Interviewer:
Amazing. And your influence over the years it’s now influencing younger and more
emerging artists, which is a really lovely full circle moment. How does it feel to kind of get
cited as an influence by the new era of musicians?
Melanie C:
It blows my mind. I think all of us Spice Girls we’re so proud. Obviously, we have left this
beautiful legacy behind, and we see constantly people who have been affected by it, and so
many artists like you say that would mention the Spice Girls, and you know great artists. It’s
very full circle because there are artists that talk about being inspired by the Spice Girls that
inspire me. So that’s really beautiful. And it’s lovely to meet them as well. I meet so many
artists, and they’re very excited to meet a Spice Girl.
But I think the most surprising to me are the ones that weren’t even born when the Spice
Girls first came out. And I’m like, how do you know? But of course, this is music and a
movement that is passed down through generations, whether it was your older sister or
your mum. And that’s what we see whenever the Spice Girls get back together, we see this
whole generational effect that our music has on people.
Interviewer:
Now, back to the SWEAT era, and this is quite a big question. So if you could sum up this era
in three words, what would they be?
Melanie C:
Joyous. Energetic. *long pause* Joyous, Energetic and Fun! Quickfire
Interviewer: First rave memory?
Melanie C: I think it was probably discovering The Prodigy when I was out raving in Spain. I
think ‘Charly Says’ was the tune that was out at that time, and I was like ‘what is this?!’ so
yeah, that’s one of my very first rave memories.
Interviewer: One SWEAT track that surprised you most?
Melanie C:
Ooh, I loved to have light and shade on the album, and although I wanted it to
be really uplifting and motivating, I also like darkness. I always feel like you have to have
the moment of real depth on the record. And one of my favourite writing sessions I was for
the very first time in a room that was completely female producing and Flick of the Wrist—a
darker track from an all-female session.
Interviewer: Most excited to perform live?
Melanie C: Undefeated Champion.
Interviewer: Friday nights—overrated or essential?
Melanie C: Essential. Life philosophy.
***ENDS***
Melanie C Album Signings
Fri 1 May 2026 Liverpool Jacaranda
Sat 2 May 2026 Leeds Crash Records
Sun 3 May 2026 Manchester HMV
Sun 3 May 2026 Bury Wax And Beans
Mon 4 May 2026 Sheffield HMV
Tue 5 May 2026 Glasgow HMV
Thu 7 May 2026 Birmingham HMV
Thu 14 May 2026 Brighton HMV
Melanie C Tour Dates
Sun 18 Oct 2026 Dublin 3Olympia
Tue 20 Oct 2026 Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom
Wed 21 Oct 2026 Manchester O2 Ritz
Fri 23 Oct 2026 London O2 Academy Brixton
Sat 24 Oct 2026 Birmingham O2 Institute
