Melanie C – Northern Star

As one fifth of the most successful girl group of all time, Mel C spent her early twenties inseparably tied to her athletic alter ego. Her status as Sporty Spice was so entrenched in her public persona that when the Spice Girls took a hiatus in 1999, Mel C did what any trapped queer person would do; she cut her hair, dyed it blonde, changed her name and reached out to Madonna.Northern Star by Melanie C was the outcome. The debut tells tales of aggrieved emancipation, potential secret sapphism and the ongoing plight of the homeless through the combined sonic mediums of grunge, R&B, musical theatre, dance music and more. Though perhaps not a wholly cohesive offering, Northern Star granted us access to previously unseen shades of the singer and gave us the best solo single of any Spice Girl ever, thanks in large part to Hex Hector.From Wembley Stadium to the West End; Manchester Academy 3 to Mighty Hoopla, join Andy and Drew as they take a whimsical glance back over Melanie's twenty year solo career. If you enjoyed this episode, do make sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and follow us at @auralfixationpodcast, @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare. Don't forget to check out this episode's playlist – one listen and you'll never be the same again.