Joe on the go
Joe McElderry ready to spring a few surprises as he nits the road for his talest tour
HE might have now shed his coat of many colours but Joe McElderry is aiming to put on a dazzling show as he kicks off his UK tour.
Joe has had an incredibly busy two years playing the lead in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and while he recently made a re-appearance in the eye catching costume for a special Andrew Lloyd Webber medley on Saturday Night Takeaway, for the time being his focus hs ow his first love... singing.
Joe is picking up the mic to begin his nationwide jaunt in Southend, but of course he will be back in his native land for two shows at the Customs House in home town South Shields on April 21, as well as shows in Consett, Whitley Bay and Blyth.
He last performed on Tyneside for the biggest Sunday for Sammy to date at the famous fundraisers’ new home of Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena when he brought the house down and earned a well deserved standing ovation.
And the now 26-year-old, who won The X Factor in 2009, says with no theme to the show, he’s looking forward to springing a few surprises. “There’s always quite a quick turn around with my tours,” he told The Chronicle. “But I like that, as if you rehearse for too long, things can feel a bit too polished. I like my shows to feel quite relaxed and loose. “The tour last year was very much to promote the Saturday Night at the Movies album (his fourth to land in the top 10) whereas this one has no theme so, while I’m not giving anything away, there will be a few surprises, including a few influenced by very current things. “There are of course songs that have been huge for me at various points of my career so far, so they’ll be in there, but there will be some tracks I’ve never performed in there too. “I’ve had an insane year, so I’ve taken a bit of a break but can’t wait to get back on stage!” The X Factor is in the region right now scouting for talent for its forthcoming series and Joe said he would welcome the return of his former mentor, a fellow Geordie pop-
X STAR FACTOR JOE WINNER MCELDERRY AND JOSEPH IS EMBARKING ON A NATIONWIDE TOUR, WHICH OF COURSE INCLUDES A FEW SHOWS IN HIS NATIVE NORTH EAST
star, to the panel.
“Everyone loves Cheryl and I think she’d be great if she came back,” he enthused.
“I think more than anything I’d like to see whoever ends up judging it giving some really constructive criticism.
“For me, in the last few years, it’s become a bit too much about what’s going on with the judges, the rows etc, so I’d like to see it go back to how it used to be.
“Having people scrutinize your career is something that comes with The X Factor brand, but I try not to think about it too much. The industry can be very negative at times but I don’t let it affect me.
“I’m very lucky that, nine years on, I’m still performing, touring and doing what I love. I never wanted to be one of those acts who have a huge hit one minute and then forgotten the next.”
To get tickets to see Joe at The Customs House, South Shields; Empire Theatre, Consett, Playhouse Whitley Bay or Phoenix Theatre, Blyth visit https://www.joemcelderryofficial.com for ticket details or contact the venues themselves.