Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Ryan’s got gig plans
Two tours then it’s down to work on writing songs
Former X Factor star Ryan Lawrie says he is using his up-and-coming tour to say thank- you to fans before he “locks himself in the studio” to work on some new songs.
The 20-year-old begins singing his way around the UK tomorrow with his fellow live show contestants, as they perform at some of Britain’s biggest venues on the X-Factor tour.
But after performing to thousands over the next three weeks, in demand Ryan will put his own wheels in motion and set-off on a solo tour of smaller venues to play some intimate gigs for fans.
Beginning in April, Ryan will take to stages in London, Manchester, Belfast, Milton Keynes and Glasgow before he attempts to carve out a successful career as a songwriter.
Ryan, who finished sixth in the X Factor live shows, told the Advertiser: “I can’t wait for both tours.
“I’m going to use the X Factor one to help build-up my fanbase a bit more and then do my wee tour.
“It’s my plan eventually to make my own music and either release that or write for other artists.
“I want to have a solid career in songwriting so that I’ve always got that to fall back on in case performing doesn’t work out.
“My own tour will be smaller, intimate gigs with lots of original songs.
“It’s really all a bit of fun to see what kind of support turns out and I can use it as a thank-you to the people who have supported me.
“It’ll be a nice way to finish things off before I lock myself in the studio to work on songwriting.
“I’ll have lots of big meetings with production companies and publishers who are pretty major in the music industry.”
The X Factor tour kicks off in Nottingham tomorrow and comes to Glasgow for two nights next week.
Ryan revealed life after the show has been strange, but confirmed: “I did the right thing going on the X Factor. It’s opened a lot of doors for me.
“It’s been strange since it finished as it was so crazy for those few months in the X Factor bubble.
“Then suddenly it was straight home for some peace and quiet and a catch-up with my favourie TV shows!
“Rehearsals for the tour have been great and it’s brilliant to see everyone again; the whole show is solid.
“It’ll be a crazy experience and I’m really excited about it.”
One thing Ryan is still looking to tick off his wish list though is to perform in his hometown.
He added: “It would be really nice to do a wee gig in Coatbridge.
“It’s something I’ve never done but I had a lot of amazing support from home so if the opportunity was there I’d jump at it.”