Melanie Chisholm became part of a cultural pop phenomenon as Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls before she carved out a career as a solo artist. Nine albums later, she headlines a 25-city North American Tour that bringing her Sweat to the Windy City this September.
The record’s title track “Sweat” samples Diana Ross’ “Work That Body” and captures the spirit of this talented dancer. Her latest single “Drum Machine” premiered a black-and-white video in May of this year that spotlights her powerhouse vocals backed with a unique beat.
Debuting at number three on the UK Albums Chart, Sweat has become the singer’s highest-charting solo endeavor.
This “Undefeated Champion” is winning with the LGBTQ+ community as well. She guest-judged the first episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. the World in 2021 and in 2026 she DJed at OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride.
Chisholm chatted about her upcoming Chicago date while out on the road before her arrival.
Windy City Times: Where in the world are you calling in from?
Mel C: I am in Boston. I will be in Chicago tomorrow for the show.
WCT: It’s been a while since you visited Illinois, hasn’t it?
MC: It really has. I have been there with the Spice Girls a few times and one time as a solo artist in 2001. I have many memories of Chicago and I remember cycling in Chicago. It was a very long time ago and it will be good to be back.
WCT: Your song “I Turn to You” was a huge gay bar hit here, so I expect the LGBTQ+ community to come out to your concert this week.
MC: Yes. What I have noticed with the Spice Girls is that we have an incredible fanbase, which is the best fanbase because it’s the girls and the gays. What else is there? [laughs]
This show and album lend themselves to that kind of audience. It will be joyful, with upbeat dance music and a hint of nostalgia as well.
WCT: Are the men in your video for “Sweat” coming with you to Chicago?
MC: They are my Spice Boys in Australia. Sadly, they are not with me, but I have two very hot dancers that will be with me and the band onstage, so there will definitely be some eye candy.
WCT: Is there a new track on Sweat that you have enjoyed playing live so far?
MC: I am only four shows in, so I am getting to grips with everything. When you take music out into the world, you never know what songs will really connect with an audience.
Each show is different and every room has its favorites.
People have been loving “Pressure” to dance to, along with “Flick of the Wrist,” which is a darker song on the album, but we all love a bitter lyric. Those two have been getting good reactions.
WCT: It is a full record and not just a few tracks.
MC: We play every single song on this album, but it doesn’t feel laborious and it moves very quickly. It is nice to have all those flavors on the set list and it’s a fun journey that we take together.
WCT: Is a cashmere sweater too hot to wear when singing your song “Cashmere?”
MC: One hundred percent and wearing a sweater would never last a whole song. Any clothes that I have on, whether it’s a jacket or a boxing glove, are lucky to last a full song. I love a reveal and I like to get down to my skin.
WCT: Do you turn out the lights for “What Could Possibly Go Wrong” with the lyrics “Let’s kill all the lights?”
MC: [laughs] No, but I play a little percussion on that, so that is the double jeopardy I give myself to sing and to do something rhythmic with my hands at the same time.
WCT: I noticed our birthdays are just a few days apart and we are both Capricorns.
MC: That means we are very determined to succeed and we are very earthy. I am quite true to my sign.
WCT: Did you see the recent Dunkin’ Donuts commercial with Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell? Rachel Dratch was the sixth Spice Girl known as Pumpkin Spice.
MC: Yes, I saw it. Being known as Sporty Spice, I didn’t think doughnuts were on brand for me, but it was so fun watching Emma and Geri in the ad.
Pumpkin spice is the flavor of the season, so I am here for it.
WCT: Just call me Old Spice. Do you have any health tips for people over 50 years old?
MC: We are so much more knowledgeable about nutrition and working out these days. We were so brutal on our bodies in the ‘90s with so much cardio and avoiding carbs.
I feel so much better now and I listen to my body more. I love doing my strength work.
As we get older, it is so good for us to keep maintaining muscle mass and bone density.
It is about mixing stuff up and eating well with real food, none of that fake no-fat stuff.
We should be kind to ourselves and that’s my whole ethos for the rest of my days.
WCT: After 50, in my case, was a time to think about my accomplishments.
MC: Totally and there have been so many things in my life that I thought I wouldn’t do, like get married, for example. At this age, I just think, “Why the hell not do everything?” I want to have all of the experiences out there for me, so I am living life.
Being out on the road like this and touring to cities that I haven’t been to in a long time makes me feel like I am 25 again. I am tapping into the ambitious side of me and the person who has always loved performing has never gone anywhere. I feel very lucky that I am still able to do things that I want to.
WCT: You have nine solo records, so is there time for a Spice Girl song?
MC: I do a few. There are two in the main set and then we give people options in the acoustic part. The crowd has been deciding what songs they want to hear.
It is so nice because I feel this is a moment where I am fully embracing all aspects of myself as an artist. It just works within the show with the new, the old and everything coming together.
WCT: Your voice is holding up better than ever. How do you protect it?
MC: It is a whole thing, actually. It is tough as a vocalist. There are about 20 songs in the set and some of them are very vocally taxing. It is a physical show as well.
I am on vocal rest when I can and vocal cord steaming. I try to get the sleep in when I can and I try to be sensible. Hydration is a big one.
WCT: You have a performing arts background and have been in musicals. Do you have an all-time favorite?
MC: I grew up dancing, so I always liked Cats because it was a dancer’s musical. I was lucky enough to play Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and that is my favorite score because it is so rock and roll.
My first musical theater gig was in a show called Blood Brothers. It was set in Liverpool, where I am from, so it was an incredible role and opportunity.
I have had some great experiences in the world of musical theater.
WCT: I know the organizers of Chicago’s Pride festival would like to book you in the future.
MC: I have played Pride festivals all over the world and honestly, it is my favorite thing to do. I was at the Brighton & Hove Pride Party in the UK this past August and I was also at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in February.
The first time I was at a Pride was in the late ‘90s and I have seen an evolution. There are always obstacles to overcome, but the LGBTQ+ community has grown and been embraced. One of the biggest things I have noticed at Pride festivals is that there are now more families, which is something not seen in the ‘90s.
Honestly, a Mel C or a Spice Girl concert is a Pride festival. I am excited to celebrate that with Chicago this week.
Mel C will spice up the lives of Chicagoans at Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave., on Sept. 16. Find tickets and follow her tour at melaniec.net.