Melanie C joins the line-up of stars set to perform in spaces around the Royal Albert Hall as part of the free online Global Stages festival later this month.
The Spice Girls legend is joined by Ballet Black’s Cira Robinson, singer-songwriter Tom Odell and opera star Sir Bryn Terfel for the virtual set, captured by director Raja Virdi to mark the reopening of venues worldwide.
The film moves seamlessly from the roof of the venue to the basements, with other performances throughout the building including new pop acts Maisie Peters, Holly Humberstone, and Baby Queen. There will also be spoken word and poetry by Sophia Thakur, Henry Stone and Samuel West.
This streamed event is a collaboration with four other major venues around the world – Sydney Opera House, Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall, Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam, and the LA Phil – which will also broadcast exclusive performances.
Lucy Noble, Artistic Director at the Royal Albert Hall, said: “We’re delighted to join with these other iconic venues for this unique project, which marks the reopening of venues and gives audiences a glimpse of some of the little-seen spaces in our famous building.
“We’re particularly thrilled with the project’s line-up, which will reflect the diversity and eclecticism of the Hall’s programme, taking in classical, rock, pop, poetry, dance, and folk music.”
It’s been revealed Melanie will perform an acoustic version of Spice Girls’ classic Too Much from the basement of the Royal Albert Hall. She released her stripped-back version of the tune earlier this year.
During the pandemic, venue bosses headed online to stream more than 70 shows to raise funds, after accruing over £50m in losses and £20m in debt.
The Royal Albert Hall’s Global Stages set will be broadcast on YouTube at 7 pm BST on May 21. Further details are available here.
The full Global Stages festival line-up is as follows
May 21
• 6 pm BST – Royal Theatre Carré, Amsterdam
Featuring Jett Rebel, Igone de Jong, SevDaliza, Michelle David & The True Tones
• 7 pm BST – Royal Albert Hall, London
Featuring Melanie C, Tom Odell, Ballet Black & Maisie Peters
May 22
• 10 am BST – Sydney Opera House
• 12 pm BST – Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall
Mobius: A Concert of Diversified Fusion
May 23
• 3 am BST – LA Phil