Kitchen Disco became our Friday night thing... It was crazy
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR TELLS MARION McMULLEN HER NEW TOUR IS A MIRRORBALL DREAM COME TRUE
people pack everything but the kitchen sink when they travel – but Sophie Ellis-Bextor is taking the whole kitchen with her.
She is hoping to recreate the family room that featured in her hugely popular live kitchen disco lockdown sessions as a stage set and take it around the country on tour.
“The Kitchen Disco was funny and silly and had that element of danger that you only get from doing a live show,” Sophie laughs with delight, “like forgetting a lyric, tripping over a kid. It all became part of the show. It was all fun.”
The Friday night disco sessions with Sophie, her husband The Feeling bassist Richard Jones and their five sons had people everywhere joining in the feel-good music specials. They offered virtual escapism, and became weekly moments of united sequined catharsis for many. They certainly put a smile on the face of the hundreds of thousands watching live on Instagram while videos of songs from the events have attracted millions of views on Twitter.
“It was Richard’s idea,” says Sophie. “As a family we have always put the music on loud to de-stress and get that escapism and magic that music provides. We already had the mirrorball and lights and Richard said let’s do something during lockdown. I felt discombobulated, useless, when lockdown started and Richard said do your disco gig and broadcast it.
“It became our Friday night thing. It was crazy. The younger boys really enjoyed dressing up and dancing. It became something to look forward to and start the weekend and afterwards Richard and I would have takeaway and a cocktail. Now we are taking it on tour, on stage, in front of people. It’s going to be special. The last time I did a big solo tour was in 2019.”
Richard will be part of her tour band, but their sons will be busy at school. There are so many great disco songs to choose from that Sophie says the set list is likely to be different every night and she will also be including some of her own songs that she has rarely performed over the years. “We’ll be living on the edge,” she agrees.
Sophie’s second greatest hits compilation Songs from the Kitchen Disco went to the Top 10 in the UK album charts when it was released in November 2020 and she and Richard are about to bring out their own cookbook – Love Food Family: Recipes From The Kitchen Disco. It is packed with everything from stews to roasts, Yorkshire puds and pasta plus a suggested meal-time playlist.
“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do,” says Sophie. “About five years ago I actually approached some publishers, but they were not really sure about it. Richard and I have always loved cooking and when I was working on my last album I was cooking for my band and the studio engineers. It’s such a nice thing to do.
“Richard’s dad was a chef and my mum (former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis) has always cooked. It’s such a dream to be bringing out the cookbook.”
Sophie has also kept busy with her podcast Spinning Plates, which sees her talking to other famous working mums like Melanie C, Nadiya Hussain, Natalie Imbrul SOME gia, Dannii Minogue and Myleene Klass and even her own mum. “The podcast has become my baby,” smiles Sophie. “It’s a chance to just sit down and talk. So many amazing, amazing women have been part of it all and I do find myself thinking ‘Oh, who would be great to have on?’”
The singer-songwriter, 42, also raised more than £1m for Children in Need in November with a 24-hour danceathon. Famous names including Ed Sheeran, Rick Astley, fitness guru Joe Wicks and Sir Elton John sent messages of support during the challenge to help Sophie keep dancing.
“It was quite nice to know I can still do it,” she laughs, “and people were amazingly generous. It was a real privilege to be part of Children In Need.”
The challenge fittingly ended with Abba’s Dancing Queen and Sophie’s mother, husband and sons joining her for the final half hour with Richard accompanying her on a Millennium Falcon-shaped bass guitar.
“I bought him the guitar for Christmas a few years ago. I found a man who turned toys into instruments; it was the best present ever you could buy for a bass player who also loves Star Wars.”
Meanwhile, Sophie is looking forward to putting a little disco in everyone’s lives again as she returns to touring.
“They don’t have to dress up and cover themselves in sequins,” says the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant. “There is zero pressure. Go with the flow and do whatever makes you happy. Just come along in whatever you feel comfortable in... and have fun.”
■ The Kitchen Disco tour starts on March 7 and ends at the London Palladium on March 30. Go to sophieellisbextor.net for more information.