Reviewed May 05, 2008
Melanie C This Time Tour May 4th 2008
by Ron Hollywood

May 4th 2008
Club Soda, Montreal, Qc

Guitars & Backing Vocals: Greg Hatwell
Guitars: Paul Gendler
Keyboards & Backing Vocals: Nick Nasmyth
Bass & Backing Vocals: Scott Firth
Drums: Vinnie Lammi

Opening act Adam Crossley was greeted with shouts of “Mel C! Mel C! Mel C!” he took it in stride and even got to joke about his name being “Adam C! Adam C!”. Through a six song setlist that featured a Radiohead cover this Toronto trio of vocals, guitar and keyboards ended up winning over this “Mel C” hyped crowd. Adam Crossley has a breathy vocal style with some very nice hoarmonies. For music that is so mellow Adam C was very dramatic in his performance.

After seeing the massive production of The Return of the Spice Girls Tour it was neat to see how scaled down things were for Melanie C’s opening night on this tour. Everything from the lighting, stage, and single outfit was as basic as basic could be. The only glitter came from her shimmering silver shirt. However that in no way diminished the concert by any means. I think it’s just Melanie C distancing herself from the Spice World and being her own artist, especially since no Spice Girls songs were played. Melanie C was always the best vocalist from the Spice Girls, a fact we’ve all known since day one. Emma and Geri (my personal fave) have some good ‘pop’ material but nothing more. With Melanie C there is more. She’s also the only Spice Girl who’s solo material has any real substance behind it.

She began by strutting out from behind a black curtain to belt out Understand from her latest Cd, This Time. The third song What If I Stay was beautiful in it’s purity. Throughout the night she pranced around and broke into Mr. Roboto style dance moves. The uncanny thing was how much she evoked Chrissie Hynde in every aspect of her performance, from her moves, hairstyle, and blue jeans with black high heel sparkling boots. She received plenty of gifts such as flowers, books, and signs.

It must have been a nice thing for Melanie to hear the crowd sing along to every song since she’s really only had one hit here in North America with When You’re Gone. It was that hit performed with guitarist Adam Argyle that really sent everyone over the edge. Songs like Let’s Love or the latter Next best Superstar and Going Down were so intense it just seemed as if this concert kept getting better and better as it went along. One song that was sincerely missed was The Moment You Believe. Hearing how the rocking Carolyna is live makes you think Avril Lavigne could have a hit on her own if she ever recorded it.

Melanie C was generous in giving us a long encore. Of course with this being Montreal she sang the French version of First Day Of My Life. And never once did the adulation ever stop between the fans and Mel C. It was real love fest and the stage being littered with roses went on to prove it more. Yeh Yeh Yeh was another hand raising highlight. Of course the techno I Turn To You ended it all with Melanie C pointing into the crowd on the chorus.

setlist
Understand
Go
What If I Stay
May Your Heart
Forever Again
Don’t Let Me Go
When You’re Gone
Let’s Love
Northern Star
This Time
Carolyna
Next Best Superstar
Going Down

encore
Protected
Je Suis Née Pour Toi french version of (First Day Of My Life)
Never be The Same Again
Yeh Yeh Yeh
I Turn To You

click here for a front row seat to last night’s show
Mel C Yeh Yeh Yeh Live in Montreal

click here for a quick interview with Ron Hollywood and Melanie C

Also check out our review of The Return of The Spice Girls Tour

Other reviews
Previously: Billy Joel April 23rd 2008 Montreal, Qc
Next: Sam Roberts Love At The End Of the World Cd Release Party

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