Mel C shares backstory on her surprise Orbital appearance at Glastonbury
Mel C has opened up about her surprise Orbital appearance at Glastonbury and their longstanding friendship.
The Spice Girl was brought out on stage with Tilda Swinton at Orbital’s set on June 30, where she joined the duo for their performance of ‘Spicy’. The song samples tracks from the Spice Girls‘ discography including their hit song ‘Wannabe’.
Now, Mel C has elaborated on her long history with the Kent brothers (Phil and Paul Hartnoll), with their friendship stretching back to the 90s. Speaking to Chris Moyles on Radio X this morning (July 1) live from Worthy Farm, she said: “Do you know what, this is actually a really nice story.
“So, when Spice Girls started, we were writing and recording in the Strongroom – which is in Shoreditch – and Orbital were next door,” she explained. “We used to sit in the common area together and drink tea.”
She went on to call Phil and Paul “amazing” and “lovely”, adding: “Well, they’re brothers, they’re very different characters. And they’re brilliant, so lovely. And Tilda Swinton also was part of the performance, she opened and closed. So, it was just… What an experience! It was such a privilege to be part of it.”
In the same interview, Mel C admitted it was her “absolute dream” for the Spice Girls to headline Glastonbury, telling Moyles “there’s nothing I would like more”.
“I think the absolute ultimate would be to do it with the Spice Girls,” she confessed. “There’s nothing I would like more. But you know, while they’re still making their minds up…”
Noting the Spice Girls have never played the legendary festival as “in the 90s, they didn’t have pop music at music festivals”, Mel C responded to Moyle’s sly suggestion for a top slot for next year’s edition: “It would be a belting headliner.”
Many fans believed that Spice Girls would perform in the Legends’ slot at Glastonbury 2023 after Mel B alluded to it on The Big Narstie Show. Mel C then shut the rumours down, saying it didn’t work logistically for the group.
The former girl group were last seen giving a surprise performance of their 1998 single ‘Stop’ at Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday party in April, and the event led many to speculate that a comeback could be happening.
However, Victoria’s husband David shut down any potential rumours of a reunion, saying: “Unfortunately, that’s not happening.”
“Victoria was so pleased to see the girls, and it was a massive part of her life, but obviously, all the girls have got their own things going on,” he continued. “They will do certain things together at certain times.”
He continued: “I know it’s what people want, but in all honesty, I think I was the most excited of anyone.”
In other news, Emily Eavis has confirmed Glastonbury will have fallow year in 2026. “We’re already in talks with some acts” for 2025, she added.
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Alex Rigotti
NME
