I had the opportunity to see the legendary Mica Paris perform for the first time, and she did not disappoint. Often referred to as the Queen of Soul, it was incredible to experience exactly why she has earned that title.
Something that I think is amazing about Mica is that even though her recordings showcase how incredible her voice is, hearing her live was something else entirely. There is a richness, power and emotion in her vocals that you can only truly appreciate when you experience live.
What I love most about Mica is that she is not just soulful in the traditional sense. You can hear the roots of where that soul comes from. There is a clear connection to her church upbringing, and throughout the evening she showed how comfortable she was bringing that gospel influence into her performances.
Performing in Ronnie Scott’s main house for the first show of the evening, Mica created an atmosphere that felt much bigger than a concert. She spoke about how singing is the only job she has ever known, and that passion was obvious throughout the night. Not only did she showcase her extraordinary vocals, she shared stories, made the crowd laugh and genuinely connect with the audience. The evening felt less like watching a performer from a distance and more like being welcomed into a room full of friends. There was a real sense of family in the atmosphere, which made the experience even more special.
My top four moments of the night
1. “I Never Felt Like This Before”
One of the first standout moments of the evening was hearing Mica perform “I Never Felt Like This Before” from her album Whisper a Prayer (1993). The song captures the feeling of experiencing a love so powerful and unexpected that it changes the way you see everything around you.
Hearing Mica sing about that overwhelming feeling of love and happiness was a reminder of the emotional honesty she brings to her music.
2. The story of Rod Temperton and “You Put a Move on My Heart”
One of the most special moments came when Mica spoke about the legendary songwriter Rod Temperton. She shared the story of travelling to America when she was around 23 and meeting the man behind some of the most iconic songs in music history, including his work with Heatwave and Michael Jackson.
She described him as someone who could seem serious at first, but once you got to know him, he was one of the sweetest souls. The moment that stayed with me was when she recalled him asking her, “What do you want, Mica?”
She explained that he probably expected her to ask for a huge song, but instead she wanted him to create something that captured the same feeling as “Always and Forever”. That story made “You Put a Move on My Heart” even more meaningful. Originally written by Rod Temperton for Heatwave, the song carries that same timeless emotional quality that makes classic soul music so powerful.
For me personally, this moment was incredibly special. Personally, I’ve always loved the late Luther Vandross’ version of “Always and Forever”. It was the song my parents chose for their wedding over 30 years ago. I first listened to it on my phone a few years ago, and it’s stuck with me ever since. It is a song that makes the hairs on my skin stand up, as soon as I hear that drum beat. So, hearing Mica perform a song inspired by such a classic, gave me goosebumps!
3. “Something Inside So Strong” and a message of love and connection
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when Mica spoke about the state of the world and the importance of putting positive energy into the room.
She reflected on how easy it can sometimes feel to be overwhelmed by everything happening around us, but how important it is to remember that we all have the ability to make a difference through kindness, respect and the way we treat others. She spoke about wanting to put good energy into the room, and that message led beautifully into “Something Inside So Strong”.
This was a moment where you could feel the entire audience connecting. Mica brought the song to life with such passion and conviction, and you could hear the influence of her gospel roots throughout the performance.
There is something magical about singers who have grown up around church music. For me, they carry a certain depth and emotion in their voices, that goes beyond technique. It is something you feel in your soul.
I also loved that Mica shared such a personal moment with the audience. She spoke about a time in her life when she realised the importance of allowing people in and understanding that we all need connection. While I cannot remember her exact wording, the message was incredibly powerful. Looking around the room and seeing people sharing that moment together was a reminder of what music does best. It brings people together and helps us find our people.
4. “I Put a Spell on You” and celebrating the journey
The final special moment of the night was Mica’s performance of “I Put a Spell on You”, the song famously performed by Mica Paris with Jools Holland and David Gilmour.
Before singing it, Mica shared the story of receiving the call from Jools Holland and being asked to record the song. She spoke about how that moment became an important part of her journey and thanked everyone who had continued supporting her throughout her career.
What made this moment even more beautiful was seeing Mica’s personality shine through. She joked about people becoming starstruck when they meet her, laughing about the way some people look at her in disbelief, before reminding everyone that she is simply Mica.
That honesty was one of the things I appreciated most about the evening. Sometimes with artists, we only see the performer, but Mica allowed us to see the person behind the voice.
She went into the audience, held hands, hugged people and created a genuine connection with everyone in the room. In an intimate venue, that kind of interaction makes the experience even more powerful.
The beauty of this evening was that Mica Paris did not just perform for us, she shared a part of herself with us. From the stories behind the songs to the laughter and the moments of reflection, it felt like everyone in the room was part of something special.
Mica Paris at Ronnie Scott’s was not just a great performance. It was a night filled with soul, warmth, humour and genuine human connection. Her voice is extraordinary, but what makes her truly special is the way she makes people feel.
Words: Kanika Phillip