Only Men Aloud will be performing with Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel at this year’s Royal Variety Performance, broadcasted on ITV this November.
This announcement follows an eventful and successful year for Only Men Aloud from reinventing the group as an 8 piece vocal ensemble, to founder Tim Rhys-Evans receiving an MBE and appearing at Don Black 75th anniversary concert.
Since winning BBC One ‘Last Choir Standing’ in 2008 Only Men Aloud have gone on to sell hundreds of thousands of albums, were awarded album of the year at the Classical Brits and performed at some of the world’s most prestigious events. More recently Only Men Aloud took part in Don Black's 75th Anniversary concert at The Royal Festival Hall.
It has recently been announced that rising star Jack Topping will join Only Men Aloud as special guest on their December UK tour. The 11-year-old Liverpool choirboy recently made his big stage debut at the Royal Albert Hall, performing at the Classic Brit Awards. Jack was discovered while singing with Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral where he is a chorister, and immediately signed a major recording deal with Decca Records, becoming their youngest ever solo artist.
Jack will be releasing his debut album ‘Wonderful World’ on 2nd December which will host a mix of sacred and secular repertoire, including ‘Ave Maria’, ‘Pie Jesu’, and ‘The Lord is My Shepherd’. The album also pays tribute to Liverpool’s musical heritage, with the Beatles number ‘Let It Be’ and newly-arranged versions of the classic ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and popular folk ballad ‘Leaving of Liverpool’ Jack will be singing the song ‘Tomorrow’ on the powerful Save the Children TV advertisement soon to be heard in millions of homes across the country in the lead up to Christmas.
On Jack Topping supporting Only Men Aloud on tour Tim Rhys-Evans said:
"Seeing young people follow their dreams and using choral singing as a positive influence in their lives is so important to us in Only Men Aloud-it's the main ethos behind our Only Boys Aloud and Only Kids Aloud choirs that sees hundreds of youngsters gain confidence and enjoyment through singing. Therefore, when I saw Jack singing at the Classic Brits, it seemed to be the perfect fit. Straight after the performance, I spoke to him and his Mum and invited him to be a guest soloist on our Christmas tour. I'm delighted to say Jack accepted immediately and is as excited as we are about making music together as we tour the UK this December. The sound of a boy treble and a Male chorus go so beautifully together that I already know it's going to be very special indeed."
The new official line up of Only Men Aloud is Wyn Davies, David Fortey, Ben Smith, David Mahoney, Craig Yates, Niall Allen, Stephen Hamnett and Huw Euron.
This December tour will be Only Men Aloud’s first tour in two years and marks an eventful and successful year for the group.
Headline Tour
DECEMBER 2013 TICKETS
Thursday 12 Birmingham Symphony Hall
Friday 13 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Tuesday 17 Gateshead Sage 1
Wednesday 18 Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Friday 20 Bristol Colston Hall
Saturday 21 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Tickets are priced from £19.50-£35 and are onsale now here.
