[title]
It is extremely difficult not to fangirl over Melanie C (yes, the Spice Girl) when chatting with her over Zoom about her upcoming DJ set at Daybreaker’s hot-sauna sober dance party at Othership in NYC this Thursday at 9pm.
After all, born at the end of the 1980s, my millennial self grew up listening to the Spice Girls—arguably the group that helped spearhead the kind of pop music that still resonates today and, of course, championed a version of girl power that, while less organized, was certainly just as widely embraced as today's feminist discourse.
Still, over a decade in journalism helps me keep my composure—until I hear Melanie C's unmistakable north UK accent, the same one that defined songs like "Stop," "Say You'll Be There" and "Too Much," among so many others.
All of that is to say: even though the point of the call is to talk about her very cool DJ career and the May 1 release of her ninth solo studio album SWEAT, I have to ask Melanie C about the possibility of a Spice Girls reunion—especially in light of the Backstreet Boys' recent success with their Vegas residency at the Sphere. If they can do it, shouldn't the girls also?
Melanie C can't “give any exclusives,” as she puts it, but she does acknowledge the group’s devoted fan base, her deep relationship with the girls and their collective desire to mark the upcoming 30th anniversary of their hit debut single “Wannabe” in a meaningful way.
And so, you heard it here first: the Spice Girls might have a reunion next year. Just typing the words makes me giddy.
You're DJing Daybreaker at Othership, which is a sober party. How is it different to DJ for a sober crowd?
"I love DJing and I will DJ almost anywhere but this was appealing because it's a different environment from the places I've DJed in the past. I know a lot of people are interested in being sober, it's on the rise, and I actually don't ever drink when I'm working. I'm always the sober one in the club. It's obviously a different vibe but I found that it's still that euphoric feeling of going out and having a shared experience with people.
It's this collective energy that everybody shares and music can really heighten those feelings. When I DJ, I lose my shit and I'm sober! I feel high on the experience, the energy, the physicality of it and I always wake up the next day feeling elated and there’s no comedown, no hangover. So I’m excited to share that experience with all the clubbers, too."
How is house music different in the U.S. when compared to the UK?
"It feels like playing in the U.S. is a little bit harder. You guys like things a bit harder and that's good because I like to play some big, dirty baselines."
What are some New York spots you particularly love?
"I just had lunch at the Chelsea Hotel, which I know has a lot of history and makes really good food. That felt really New York to me. I was [also] lucky enough to be here for the Wicked premiere and it felt like a beautiful celebration for New York because Wicked started here on Broadway so I felt privileged to be part of the audience.
I'm actually going to come back with my daughter and we want to go ice skating, go see the tree and the Rockettes and do all the beautiful traditional New York things. I just want to tick all the boxes!"
We have to ask: is a Spice Girls reunion ever happening and, if not, how can we make it happen?
"We are always talking. We are so proud of the legacy of the Spice Girls and we are very aware that we have a big anniversary next year, 30 years since 'Wannabe' was released. We're talking about how we can celebrate that. Everybody obviously has really busy lives but Spice Girls is our baby, one that we all share together, so we do want to do something to acknowledge that. I can't give you any exclusives right now but I remain optimistic. I would love to get back on stage with the girls."