Boyband star Max says his solo success beyond wildest dreams
Heather Greenaway As part of boyband The Wanted, Max George travelled the world, hit the top of the charts, and experienced a kind of Wantedmania as the band’s fame peaked.
Now, four years outside the bubble, the 30-year-old singer is going down a storm as a solo artist – selling out venues across the UK and Europe.
Today, we can reveal heart-throb Max, whose debut solo single Barcelona was the smash hit of the summer,will be playing Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium on November 30.
Max, who was once engaged to Corrie and Our Girl star Michelle Keegan, admits he’s in shock about how well his solo career is going.
He said: “It’s certainly been an interesting few years with some ups and downs along the way but I’m now back doing what I love best – making music and performing live. There is no better feeling.
“I had no intention of going solo when The Wanted split in 2014 but I kept on songwriting, while trying my hand at acting and modelling.
“It was a chance call from singer Jason Derulo, who was putting a label together which inspired me to pursue music again. I got talking to him and thought ‘I can do that’ so my dad and I put a label together.” Max, who grew up in Manchester but now lives in Las Vegas, added: “Nothing could have prepared me for the insane reaction to my debut solo single Barcelona. I was quite taken aback.
“I wrote the song three years ago and it never occurred to me it would be such a smash, the response was overwhelming and convinced me it was time for me to drop everything and get back to music.
“I’m now gigging all over the country and have just finished my second single which will probably come out at the beginning of next year. I’m also working on an album. It’s crazy but good crazy.”
Max, who started singing after being forced to give up a promising pro football career due to injury, admits going it alone was daunting.
The former Preston North End footbal ler said: “It ’ s pretty nerve-racking going out on stage without the other lads. “It’s like skiing down a mountain but once yyou are there youy justj gog with the flow. Myy first solo gig was in front of 50,000 people – talk about being thrown in at the deep end. It turned out to be a good thing as it was sink or swim and I swam. I absolutely love it now and I feel myself getting better every time. I feel at home on the stage.”
Max had a messy public split from fiancée Michelle in 2013 and now says he struggles with anxiety and has regular therapy.
He said: “I’ve had therapy throughout The Wanted and afterwards. I see counsellors when I’m not suffering from any problems as well. “It’s not just a therapy for anxiety but just to help me feel good. It gives me great comfort. Talking might not work for everyone but it helps me.
“I found fame hard to handle. Nothing can prepare you for the craziness and that was in the days before social media had such a huge following.
“I couldn’t sleep and felt anxious all the time. Thankfully I had the right people around me otherwise I could have ggone insane.”