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.
Later this year you’ ll headline O2 Academy Brixton. How significant does that feel at this point in your career? 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.
How do you balance the new SWEAT era with everything fans already want to hear? 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)
After such a long and varied career, what keeps you creatively hungry? 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.
What is it like hearing younger artists cite the Spice Girls as an influence? 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.
Finally, three words to describe the SWEAT era? Joyous. Energetic. long pause Joyous, Energetic and Fun!
QUICKFIRE
First rave memory? 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.
One SWEAT track that surprised you most? Ooh, I loved to have light and shade on the album, and although I wanted it to be really uplifting and motivating and 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 allfemale session.
Most excited to perform live? Undefeated Champion.
Friday nights- overrated or essential? Essential. Life philosophy.
30 wirrallife. com