Last night saw the first concert of Alfie Boe’s summer concerts, in Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow. Roving reporters Roberta Kappus and Annie Lloyd were there for thoughtsofjustafan:
Glasgow was simply everything anyone could have hoped for – two hours and fifteen minutes of Alfie’s musical talent, backed by an incredible band (there was no support act). There was no intermission and it was pure Alfie, covering what could be described as his greatest hits and more. It was musical heaven and as it was Alfie’s first UK solo performance since Leeds in 2015, to say it was well worth the wait would be an understatement.
Last night we were once again treated to Alfie’s amazing talent as he began with swing from his upcoming album. We then journeyed through Serenata, both Together albums and concerts, Trust and Classic Quadrophenia. He saved the best till last with a mix of country and rock and never before heard material from Alfie. He was back on the guitar for Wagon Wheel, an amazing Glen Campbell medley and an Islands in the Stream duet with one of the female singers. Alfie has an amazing ability to sing a previously recorded song heard many times before and place his own mark on it. Once Alfie has sung it the song is never the same again.
The addition of Tommy after Quad was a fantastic surprise and a massive crowd pleaser; he really hit his stride from this point, loosening up and clearly enjoying playing the music he loves alongside fantastic musicians who out played any orchestra.
Yes he did sing Bring Him Home, to a standing ovation, but not before teasing the audience that he was going to sing from Les Mis, instead launching into You’ll Be Back from Hamilton, accompanied with stories of his time on Broadway.
A fantastic night that can only be even bigger and better in Fleetwood.
Another fabulous review from two star reporters – roll on Fleetwood!
In a special homecoming concert, Alfie Boe will play Fleetwood FC’s Highbury stadium on 2 June 2018. The concert will be the largest ever seen in Fleetwood, which is of course the town where Alfie grew up.
Alfie is super excited to be playing in his home town as evidenced here:
Being Fleetwood born and bred and a fully fledged member of the Cod Army it’s an honour and a privilege to be performing back in my home town and at my team’s home ground. I hold Fleetwood close to my heart and I’m so happy to be coming back to entertain family and friends.
This will be Alfie’s second show in Fleetwood in the space of twelve months, as he performed a couple of songs when his blue plaque was unveiled at the Marine Hall where Alfie made his debut as a performer at the tender age of fourteen. This honour was presented as part of the BBC Music Day celebrations in June this year and Alfie was also an BBC Music ambassador in 2017.
Despite a hectic work schedule and a home in America, Alfie always keeps Fleetwood and the Fylde Coast close to his heart and is a passionate supporter of the local hospice, Trinity and Brian House, becoming patron several years ago. As such, £2 from each ticket sold will go to the hospice, considerably contributing towards their annual £5M+ running costs. Head of Fundraising, Linzi Young, said:
This is quite incredible news for the Hospice. Alfie has been our patron for five years and has helped us launch various fundraising campaigns, has sent videos of support for events such as our annual Ball, and has also sent private messages to some of our patients and their families facing very difficult circumstances. He is a man with a big heart, as well as a big voice. His global fan base is a window on the world for us; fans from across all continents get involved and send donations to Trinity in his name. We feel very privileged indeed to have the support of Alfie and his team.
Yet again fans can enjoy Alfie’s music whilst also supporting his charities – a win win for everyone!
Tickets go on sale Friday 24 November at 9am from Ticketmaster. Click here for tickets.
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A few weeks ago, Alfie Boe tweeted a photo from the shoot for a new UK TV advert he will be appearing in. The advert was for Fisherman’s Friend throat lozenges and this will be shown from February 1 – the first showing is expected to be on ITV1 during Jeremy Kyle at around 9.55am (ish)!
Alfie famously hails from Fleetwood, the home of Fisherman’s Friend and the two have enjoyed a twitter relationship for a while so it’s only fitting that Fleetwood’s most famous sons have joined together. Will Fleetwood feature at all? Hope to provide a review and share the advert (the first of many for Alfie?) next week!
The Grocer, a UK trade paper, says that the strapline will be ‘Talk About Strong’. The voiceover features Sir David Jason.
I am often asked what it is about Alfie that I love – if this often happens to you as well, this post is for you to share with everyone that hasn’t yet been Boe’d so go ahead and click on the share buttons at the bottom of the post xx
So here goes – I’d love to know what you would add to this list!
1. This is his most famous song – do you need another reason to love Alfie?
2. Alfie hails from Fleetwood, Lancashire (although he was born in Blackpool in 1973).
3. Alfie is the youngest of nine siblings (4 boys and 5 girls) born to Alfred and Pat.
4. Alfie loves cooking and once considered becoming a chef (although he did once cut his finger on live TV!)
5. Other career changes considered include a personal trainer for the Salt Lake City police force.
6. Alfie is a Lyric Tenor which means his vocal range (excluding falsetto) is approximately the C one octave below middle C (C3) to the D one octave above middle C (D5) with the ability to extend a little to either side.
7. Alfie played Jean ValJean in the 25th Anniversary Les Miserables concert and at the Queens Theatre for 5 months in 2011 – but you all knew that one right?
8. When playing JVJ as The Mayor in Les Mis, Alfie used to wear the socks belonging to the convict JVJ costume in order to better inhabit the role.
9. Alfie is married to an American actress, Sarah Boe. They met in San Francisco.
10. Alfie was the subject of a South Bank Show documentary in 2013.
11. Alfie once supported the Fron Male Voice Choir on tour.
12. David Miller of Il Divo was in La Boheme on Broadway with Alfie (they played alternate nights as Rodolfo).
13. Alfie recorded some demo Queen tracks at Abbey Road studios whilst a student – he listened back with obvious embarrassment on a recent documentary!
14. Alfie used to work at the Blackpool Opera House in a backstage / security role.
15. Alfie has recorded Empty Chairs, Empty Tables with two of the singers who played Marius: Michael Ball (original Marius and 10th anniversary concert) and Nick Jonas (25th anniversary concert).
16. Alfie was a body mechanic at the TVR factory in Bispham – if you know nothing else about Alfie, you know that!!
17. After graduating from the Royal College of Music, Alfie went on to train at the National Opera Studio.
18. Won the Christie prize at Glyndebourne for Albert Herring.
19. Appeared on several Clint Boon Experience albums as “opera dude”.
20. Spent a few nights sleeping on a park bench in Hyde Park “in between digs” so to speak.
21. Played drums in a local rock band, Whisky Train as a teenager.
22. Alfie is an ambassador for the Prince’s Foundation for Children and The Arts.
23. Alfie sang at the wedding of Peter and Autumn Phillips. (Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus).
24. Alfie famously prefers to perform in opera, rather than listen to them – this is usually quoted incorrectly as “Alfie hates opera”.
25. Alfie often takes fans cameras and phones and takes photos of himself and the band on stage – perks of being front row!
26. Alfie auditioned (and was called back) for Raoul in Phantom of the Opera – the RCM beckoned though and we shall have to imagine his Raoul.
27. Won a Tony Award as part of the cast of La Boheme on Broadway.
28. First professional audition was for the D’oyly Carte Opera company – he sang You Are My Hearts Delight.
29. Moonwalked across the stage during final performance of Romeo et Juliette at the Royal Opera House.
30. Appeared on Vanessa Feltz’s BBC Radio 2 programme as part of the Wednesday Words of Warmth – his tip to get through a Wednesday was to make a big bowl of meat pasta sauce.
31. West London Karaoke Champion 1994 singing Suspicious Minds.
32. First recording Alfie appears on is Die Fledermaus, with the D’oyly Carte company (in the chorus).
33. Suffered from chlorine poisoning whilst filming a projection for The Pearl Fishers at the ENO.
34. Brother Michael is also a talented singer, recent album is called A La Voix.
35. Alfie and Sarah’s first dance at the their wedding was Led Zeppelin’s Rain Song.
36. First, and so far only,performer, with Renee Fleming to sing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations).
37. Alfie was first introduced to La Boheme by his brother Michael – thank you Michael!
38. Alfie is great at comedy falls – as witnessed by viewers of Jonathan Ross show in October 2013!
39. Twitter often mentions how much Alfie looks like Declan Donnelly – maybe, but only without his beard – judge for yourself:
40. A photo of Alfie; together with his amazing voice, what other reason to you need to love Alfie Boe? (thanks to Carole Hunt who took this gorgeous photo and generously allowed me to use it on my blog – what a star xx)
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Excitement is mounting amongst Alfie Boe fans – the new album “Trust” is due out in November (UK release) and the man is teasing us no end with snippets of information about the content and style. Take a look at the latest promo video, filmed when Alfie was home in Blackpool (yes, I know he’s from Fleetwood but it’s just next door!)
Now, the question Alfie asks is Who do you trust? Most Alfie fans would say that we trust in Alfie to take them on a musical journey, taking in genres of music we aren’t necessarily familiar with but we love getting to know them through Mr Boe. A lot would also say that we trust in our new found friends – found through our shared love of Alfie’s music. I can vouch for this; this last week was my 40th birthday and I was privileged to be able to share the celebration with some fabulous friends I’ve made through Alfie.
So thank you Alfie for the music and the fabulous friends you’ve helped me make – and Happy 40th Birthday on Sunday! xx
