The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Why John is feeling like a NEWMAN
Singer John Newman is back. Philippa Gerrard caught up with him as he prepares for a summer like no other
When bands and artists fade away from the public eye, we assume they’ve cracked under the pressure of the spotlight or gone their separate ways under the guise of irreconcilable differences. John Newman was a little different. We first heard his name after he featured on Rudimental’s number one hit Feel the Love, before John himself stormed into the number-one spot a year later with his debut single Love Me Again in 2013.
From there a series of singles and collaborations with the likes of Calvin Harris and Kygo cemented his place in the industry, until the now 28-yearold seemed to unexpectedly fade away from the spotlight.
“When I was diagnosed with a (brain) tumour in 2012, it was a shock,” said John.
“And when it returned three years ago, I felt rubbish.
“I had chemotherapy but doctors decided not to operate so the tumour is still there but it is being monitored and, at the moment, it hasn’t grown.”
Forced to put his global music career on the back burner to focus on his health, John took a two-year break from music.
However, in that time he has not lost his passion and recently made a comeback with a new single and the announcement of a UK-wide tour.
“It’s heartbreaking that I have got this but I’m up for it and I’m ready to get out there and get going,” he said.
“There are people in worse situations than me. Some people get told they are dying. I haven’t been.
“It’s made me determined to grab and enjoy my life and the tour is a step towards that.”
However, the music industry is a fickle business and John is under no illusions about how it has changed in the time he has been away.
“Since I started in music the platform has definitely changed,” he said.
“The urgency is the biggest thing – audiences want new music and they want it now or they will just move on.
“Saying that, though, I think people will always love good music and appreciate a catchy tune.
“Artists like Lewis Capaldi and Ed Sheeran prove that. They produce fantastic tunes with an emotional heart to them and that’s what good music is about.”
The virtual shadow of social media is another aspect affecting artists in today’s music industry and John admits it can be a dangerous tool.
“In this world people wake up and the first thing they do is go on Instagram and compare themselves to Kim Kardashian,” he said.
“It drove me mental for a while, constantly comparing myself to other artists.
“Similarly, when I announced this tour of smaller venues, people started comparing me to what I used to be and would say ‘you have to go back in at the level you left at’, meaning that I should be doing arena tours instead.
“But I’ve learned to concentrate on myself and be comfortable with who I am. I just want to get out there and reintroduce people to my music, old stuff and new stuff, to show I can break into the music industry all over again. Next time I stand up on that Wembley stage I want to know it’s because I deserve it and that I worked hard to get there the right way.”
Forget fancy hotels and a gigantic tour bus, John’s new tour will be centred around a beaten-up old campervan he and his band will be using to get to gigs.
“I’m actually buying it from this really dodgy guy in Kent,” John laughed.
“It’s going to be brilliant. We are filming a documentary at the same time and will be doing loads of activities along the way, like learning to surf in Newquay and working in a chippy in Bournemouth.
“There’s going to be pop-up performances and surprise guests, so each show will be different which is partly why the tour is called Out Of The Blue.”
The 18-date tour sees John stop off in Dundee on July 2 and Aberdeen the following day – his only two Scottish dates.
With a platinum-selling debut, six million single sales worldwide and number-one collaborations under his belt, it is no wonder John is being tipped for success second time round.
It also makes it all the more unusual he is not scheduling gigs in the central belt and in bigger cities across England.
“I grew up in a small town where there were absolutely no gigs ever – the best thing we had was the yearly panto,” John said.
“If an artist I liked came to my town I would have been buzzing, which is why I wanted to come to places which don’t always get lots of bands visiting. I just can’t wait to get out and on the road.”
John is visiting Fat Sam’s in Dundee on July 2 and the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen on July 3. For tickets, visit johnnewman.co.uk
I’ve learned to concentrate on myself and be comfortable with who I am.
Some other summer highlights include:
Stonehaven Folk FeStival
Old favourites and exciting new acts come together in this programme of concerts, ceilidh, workshops and music sessions. July 12 to 14, various venues across Stonehaven
Jack dee
Catch comedian Jack Dee trying out new material before his upcoming UK tour. July 15, The Barn, Banchory
kieFer Sutherland
The UK-born Canadian actor and singer performs his country music material for north-east fans. August 6, Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen
Sir ian Mckellen
Sir Ian McKellen celebrates his 80th birthday by touring the UK with a brand-new solo show, with profits benefiting different causes at each location. August 14, The Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen
Granite city coMic con
Cosplayers, comic book lovers and sci-fi fans unite at the region’s biggest comic convention. August 24, Hilton Treetops Hotel, Aberdeen
bay city rollerS
Journey back to the 1970s as Bay City Rollers icon Les McKeown brings his show to the Lemon Tree. September 5, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen