Melanie C – Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
Melanie C. took Boston to the club.
Sometimes it felt like an intimate underground club where everyone belonged, and other times it felt like an aerobics class at the local athletic club. In either fantasy, it was moody, joyous, and sweaty.
Statuesque in sneakers and a T-shirt emblazoned with “Sporty Says Sweat”…a cheeky nod to the ’80s T-shirts made famous by Frankie Goes to Hollywood…Melanie invited the crowd into a high-energy escape. Judging by the love radiating from the fans, they were more than ready to go there.
Melanie performed most of her latest album, Sweat, including the title track, which sparked a sing-along. At one point, she told the crowd how wonderful it was to see so many people already singing along to her newer songs. For an artist with such a deep catalog, it was clear that the audience wasn’t there simply to relive the past…they were embracing where she is now, too.
Of course, there were plenty of opportunities to revisit that past. Melanie performed two Spice Girls favorites, “Who Do You Think You Are” and “Spice Up Your Life,” both of which produced some of the biggest reactions of the night. “Who Do You Think You Are” was mashed up with Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” an unexpected combination (at least for me) that somehow worked perfectly.
I especially enjoyed hearing two of Melanie’s previous solo singles, “Never Be the Same Again” and “I Turn to You.” A particularly cool moment came when she invited a fan, Chris C (@chrisjche on Instagram), onto the stage to perform the rap on “Never Be the Same Again,” originally recorded by TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. Chris sounded great, and the chemistry between the two made it seem as though they had been performing the song together for years.
Another highlight was Melanie’s mini-DJ set, something she has been doing for several years. In fact, she has found success DJing at major festivals like Glastonbury, as well as trendy clubs and events around the world, including Pacha Ibiza and Soho House. She dropped in a handful of classic ’90s club tracks, including Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam” and Crystal Waters’ “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless).” That touch of nostalgia felt completely at home in the show—a fun surprise that turned the room into a dance floor.
And that was really the feeling of the night. The intimate venue made the show feel less like watching a performer from a distance and more like being invited to hang out with hundreds of your closest friends. Melanie brought the beats, the energy, and plenty of charm, moving effortlessly between her new music, her solo career, and the Spice Girls era that made her a household name.
Judging by the number of Spice Girls T-shirts scattered throughout the crowd, there was one other message Boston seemed to be sending loud and clear:
The fans are ready for a reunion!
