.
Search

Follow Us

Edit Content
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
Facebook Instagram Spotify Tiktok
RPM031 Menu-3
  • NEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Scissor Sisters 2024 Reunion Tour Credit Kevin Tachman Press Handout-4

    Scissor Sisters working on first new material in over a decade

    The I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ hitmakers played a string of headline shows across the UK, followed by a Stateside stint alongside Kesha, and while the shows celebrated their history, frontman Jake Shears says the group is looking to the future.

    Louis Tomlinson Liam Payne Netflix Handout Credit Dennis Leupold-4

    One Direction stars reunite for new project

    The One Direction stars will front a new three-part documentary series for the streamer, which will see them trek across the United States together.

    Cyndi Lauper 2024 Handout Credit Ruven Afanador-4

    Cyndi Lauper headed to Las Vegas for first-ever residency

    The True Colors hitmaker is headed to Sin City for her first-ever extended stint, taking place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in April and May next year.

    Mariah Carey Press Handout Credit Dennis Leupold-4

    Is Mariah Carey finally about to release her ‘lost’ grunge album?

    In her 2020 memoir, ‘The Meaning Of Mariah Carey’, the diva revealed that she worked on the project secretively in the mid-1990s, alongside the recording of her fifth studio album, ‘Daydream’ (1995).

  • EXCLUSIVES
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Cascada Studio 24 Handout-4

    Cascada on her Studio 54-inspired new album and 20 years of global hits [Exclusive]

    As they return with their fifth album, Cascada’s Natalie Horler looks back on 20 years of hits and reacts to her recent interview that went viral online.

    Nicki French Who, What, Where Handout Energise-4

    Nicki French considered Eurovision return with new album track: ‘Would they really go for a 60 year old singer… again?’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her new album, Nicki French reveals she almost submitted one track into the running for next year’s Eurovision.

    Pixie Lott Encino Press Handout-4

    Pixie Lott talks new album Encino: ‘When you fall into your authentic self, that’s when the magic happens’ [Exclusive]

    A decade after releasing her self-titled third album, Pixie Lott returns with a body of work that reflects the place she’s at in her life today.

    Betty Boo Rip Up The Rulebook Credit Sandro Hyams-4

    Betty Boo: ‘It’s a philosophy that I have to not let anybody tell you that you can’t be who you want to be!’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her epic new album ‘Rip Up The Rulebook’, Betty Boo opens up about creating her most diverse work to date.

  • NEW MUSIC
  • REVIEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Alexis Strum Swim

    Alexis Strum – Swim

    Alison Goldfrapp Flux AG Records

    Alison Goldfrapp – Flux

    Tom Aspaul Cabin Fever Artwork

    Tom Aspaul – Cabin Fever

    Kim Wilde Closer Artwork Cherry Red

    Kim Wilde – Closer

  • CAUGHT LIVE
  • FUTUREPOP
  • RELEASE RADAR
Home News Caught Live

Mica Paris raises the roof with powerhouse set at Chaka Khan’s Meltdown Festival

Connor Gotto by Connor Gotto
June 21, 2024
in Caught Live, News
Mica Paris Southbank Credit Pete Woodhead-4

Pete Woodhead

60
SHARES
596
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Few voices have come out of Britain as powerful and distinctive as Mica Paris, but for over 35 years she’s maintained her position as one of the UK’s leading artists on the global stage, with a genre-defying catalogue that speaks to her innate passion and commendable versatility. 

Don't Miss...

Cyndi Lauper headed to Las Vegas for first-ever residency

New Rolling Stones album is ‘done’

Too often reduced to the ‘soul’ label, as the London-born star strutted onto the Queen Elizabeth Hall stage at the Southbank Centre as part of Chaka Khan’s Meltdown Festival, she came armed with a setlist that shone light on the diversity of her repertoire, backed by a tight band and framed within simple lights that positioned her voice as the star of the show. 

Opening with Like Dreamers Do, the 1988 sophomore single from the star’s debut album, ‘So Good’, before segueing into Where Is the Love, Paris appeared in fine form, sporting a black sequined number and looking every inch the diva, with a powerhouse delivery to boot. 

An initially reserved crowd soon got in on the action, rising to their feet for the epic climax of another hit, Breathe Life Into Me, with stirring renditions of Something Inside So Strong and I Put A Spell On You both being met with rapturous applause and cheers for a performer who could sing the alphabet into a transcendental, spiritual experience. 

Alongside her original records, Paris took the opportunity to pay tribute to her personal idols, shouting out Michael Jackson and Prince before diving into a medley of The Purple One’s hits towards the end of the show, and praising her “sister” Chaka Khan – who she first met aged 19 when the two shared the bill at London’s Royal Albert Hall – ahead of a funked-up rendition of the Stevie Wonder-penned Rufus classic Tell Me Something Good. 

Paired with her own 1998 hit Stay, she proved herself more than a match for the Queen of Funk, who curated the line-up for the 29th edition of the central London venue’s week-long engagement, while the lead single from her third album ‘Whisper A Prayer’ (1995), Never Felt Like This Before, served as a reminder of one of the star’s often-overlooked classics. 

A soaring rendition of her iconic debut single My One Temptation – which built to an epic singalong with the now-energised crowd – signposted the end of the evening, but Paris had plans for more with a double encore delivering such classics as Should’ve Known Better and Contribution, before closing with a roof-raising rendition of Tom Browne’s Funkin’ For Jamaica.

It may be her early material that’s cemented in the public consciousness, but three-and-a-half decades later Paris has barely slowed down, continuing to deliver career-defining work that, for one night only in London, was a victory lap for a performer who rightfully earns her place in the history books one of the all-time greats.

Setlist: Mica Paris – Chaka Khan’s Meltdown Festival
1. Like Dreamers Do
2. Where Is The Love
3. Breathe Life
4. Something Inside So Strong
5. I Put A Spell On You
6. Move On My Heart
7. Stay
8. Tell Me Something Good
9. Never Felt Like This Before
10. Medley: I Wanna Hold On To You / South Of The River / Carefree
11. My One Temptation
Encore 1
12. Prince & Michael Jackson Medley: Let’s Go Crazy / 1999 / Remember The Time
Encore 2
13. Medley: Should’ve Known Better / Contribution / Funkin For Jamaica

Tags: 1980sMica Paris
Connor Gotto

Connor Gotto

Founder and editor of RETROPOP. Self-proclaimed pop aficionado. Usually seen with a wine in hand.

More Like This

Cyndi Lauper 2024 Handout Credit Ruven Afanador-4
News

Cyndi Lauper headed to Las Vegas for first-ever residency

by Connor Gotto
October 7, 2025
Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds Credit Mark Seliger 2023
News

New Rolling Stones album is ‘done’

by Connor Gotto
October 1, 2025
Buckingham Nicks Album Cover Rhino-4
News

Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks celebrate as ‘lost’ 1973 duo album goes Top 10 in UK

by Connor Gotto
September 30, 2025
Madonna 2025 Warner Records Credit Ricardo Gomes-4
News

Madonna teases ‘the unexpected’ ahead of new album in 2026

by Connor Gotto
September 29, 2025
Pet Shop Boys 2024 Handout Credit Eva Pentel-4
News

Pet Shop Boys share details of Disco 5 remix album

by Connor Gotto
September 26, 2025

Follow Us

The RETROPOP Edit

Never miss a story - sign up to RETROPOP's Daily Edit newsletter for free!

Please wait...

You're in! Keep an eye on your inbox for all the latest!

The Latest

Jack Savoretti Do It For Love Press Handout Aleksandar Crnogorac-4

Jack Savoretti shares new song Do It For Love, announces Royal Albert Hall show

October 10, 2025
Scissor Sisters 2024 Reunion Tour Credit Kevin Tachman Press Handout-4

Scissor Sisters working on first new material in over a decade

October 10, 2025
Sigala Leigh-Anne Jonita Hello Press Handout-4

Leigh-Anne helps Sigala launch new era on Hello

October 7, 2025
RETROPOP No. 31 : Sept '24
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Change privacy settings
MEDIA KIT

RETROPOP participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Copyright © 2025 Irresistible. All rights reserved.

  • Home
    • Home – Layout 1
    • Home – Layout 2
    • Home – Layout 3
  • News
  • Fashion

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

CloseMenu

New issue out now

SHOP HERE