After two decades as the nation’s most beloved tenor, Alfie Boe announces his most radical creative transformation to date: the release of his first-ever album of predominantly original material, Face Myself.
And he has announced a live show at Milton Keynes Theatre.
Moving away from the orchestral grandeur and "Opera Dude" persona that defined a record-breaking career (Including 4 UK Number 1 albums), Boe returns to his Northern heritage to deliver a raw, cinematic collection that prioritises "the man underneath" over the character on stage.
The project represents the culmination of a 20-year secret ambition. recalling his love of the indie explosion of his youth—from The Stone Roses to The Charlatans—and mentored by rock legend Pete Townshend, Boe has traded show tunes for "raw, earthy, and real" storytelling.
Alfie said: “This is an album for the listeners - to celebrate themselves and be proud of who they are. It’s not about me, it’s about them.”
Produced by the acclaimed duo MyRiot (London Grammar, Primal Scream), the album will be released on 10th April. It is an act of radical honesty, with a vulnerability never before heard in his multi-platinum discography.
“I thought, ‘what is it about me that I have to face?’” he said. “For me, it was a number of moments in the past - my childhood, my teenage years. What got me to where I am today, my personal life. And that reflects in other songs on the album. It's been a really important lesson for me to face myself and realise who I am as an artist now and connect with that. I'm just writing from the heart and believing in what I'm saying and telling my story. Hopefully it can connect with other people and their memories and they can reflect on themselves too.”
The key to unlocking Alfie’s songwriting came from an unlikely mentor: rock legend Pete Townshend, who chose Alfie to star in the symphonic live tour of his classic rock opera Quadrophenia in 2017. The genius behind The Who offered advice: "Don't try to rhyme... just write thoughts. Free writing." That permission to be imperfect saw the lyrics pour out — banks of memories and reflections that felt "raw, earthy and real".
Alfie will take to the Milton Keynes Theatre stage on Monday, May 4. To book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
