Malone together
After the isolation of Covid, choirmaster Gareth Malone tells MARION MCMULLEN it’s time for a sing-a-long party...
How are you feeling about your forthcoming Sing-along-a-gareth! tour?
I’m looking forward to it and to getting out of the house after the last two years of being in the garden shed. It’s a chance for some uplifting fun, to let your hair down for the evening and a chance to sing. That’s not obligatory, but everyone will know the songs.
We’ve a great selection like I’m Still Standing by Sir Elton John, Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves, Stand By Me by Ben E. King, Fields Of Gold by Sting and I’ve also created a medley of party songs.
What was it like for you when the pandemic hit?
I had a whole lot of work disappear. A new series for the BBC was delayed for two years and it was a lean time for all my friends who were musicians.
I remember when the pandemic started,
I was in Germany doing some filming and they were already starting to shut everything down there. Everyone was saying it would all last two weeks, but, of course it ended up going on two years. I’m happy to be back at work now. Grateful to have a job really.
What is it like hearing everyone sing again?
The first time singing in front of audiences again was amazing, you remember ‘I really like audiences’. It’s not like going out during the pandemic and being terrified by joggers. Everybody was in a crazy space then.
It was weird, but it was nice being at home with my family after years of being on the road and filming for television.
It was quite a bonding experience and really nice to be at home doing music practice with the kids. At one point the only music I was doing was teaching my kids on their instruments.
What was it like putting singing online with thousands of people taking part in the Great British Home Chorus?
(Laughs) I was in my home in a room talking to myself. I couldn’t see anyone and I was just hoping everyone was there singing along in their homes and joining in.
It’s nice to get back to the real world. The closest thing I did to create a choir back then was for a film score for the Hans Zimmer and Gary Barlow and I worked with Gary on his Christmas album after that.
You were diagnosed with the hearing condition tinnitus nearly 10 years ago after a bad sinus infection. How has it been coping with that?
It was in 2013 when it happened and it was very emotional. I’m a musician and I was hearing this highpitched sound in my ear. It’s there in the background, but it’s like painting a room purple – after a while you don’t notice it. After two or three years, I just forget it is there.
It has made me more careful and I spend a lot of time with sound engineers making sure everything is all right and it is not too loud.
What was it like performing at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace with the Military Wives Choir, Gary Barlow and the Commonwealth Band?
It was the most incredible event. I met the Queen several times over the years and there were so many people at this concert, like Annie Lennox. I was hanging out with Ed Sheeran’s parents and Paul Mccartney and it was a really special time.
You won Celebrity Great British Bake Off and have just taken part on Celebrity Masterchef. Are you now a cooking expert?
(Laughs) I did a LOT of practice for Bake Off. I was making a lot of apple turnovers, but I’ve not made an apple turnover since. I’m very competitive. I’m not really a cook, but I wanted to do well. Bake Off was a lovely experience, really, really great. It was fun to do and was one of the first things I did after lockdown.
I was hanging out with Ed Sheeran’s parents and Paul Mccartney...
What can people expect from the new tour?
This is going to feel like a real party. I’m not a judge on X Factor. There is no pressure. I like to encourage people to sing, drawing out stuff that is there, I think people need that.
Sing-a-long-a-gareth! tours from October 26. Tickets on sale from garethmalone.com