It’s been a fruitful ten-year musical partnership for beloved singing duo Michael Ball and Alfie Boe and the pair are set to continue their success with a tour this spring for their latest album Together at Home.
As they prepare for their 12-date UK trek, the pair say the response to their chart-topping record, the sixth in their Together series, has been overwhelming.
Alfie, 51, told What’s On Scotland: “We’re so fortunate to have had the reaction it’s had. We can’t thank our fans enough for everything they’ve done to get it to number one.”
Michael, 62, added: “You sit down, make your choices in the studio, believe in it, but you don’t know if it’s going to resonate with people.
“The fact that it has… the feedback has been amazing. We’ve just got to do it live now!”
The double act first met on Kismet, a disastrous West End musical with the English National Opera in 2007.
Alfie said they “instantly hit it off.”
“It was a lovely experience, apart from the fact that it was a terrible show to get through. People turned up just to see how bad it was,” Alfie said.
He recalled the night Michael distracting him during his love duet, during the most “serious” scene of his performance.
“I was supposed to be looking into my singing partner’s eyes, falling in love, but all I could see was Alfie with his kaftan lifted, showing his bottom in the wing.”
Michael replied: “And you’ve never sung better!”
With six albums together, the double act have gone from strength to strength over the years.
“The bond between us has grown exponentially. We wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t love it – and love each other,” Michael added.
SuppliedFresh off the Les Mis circuit, they are now gearing up to perform in Aberdeen and Glasgow in April – and both share a special connection with Scotland.
Alfie recalled lived in Garrowhill east of Glasgow’s while touring with the Scottish Opera, his first job after music college.
“It was wonderful, spent six months on the road travelling the Highlands and Islands. I got to see everywhere – the far-flung areas. The traffic jams were basically Highland cattle.”
He added: “You’re always guaranteed a good night in Scotland. The audience goes wild. They don’t hold back – they love the heckles!”
Michael described Scots as an “honest” audience… if a little harsh.
He recalled a show he performed in Edinburgh when a supporting act was forced off stage early.
“I was doing a gig there, and there was a support act, a comedy classical music duo. I’m in my dressing room, and all I could hear was the crowd chanting ‘Waverley, Waverley, Waverley to get them to go to Waverley station’. They had to get off and I had to go on early. It was absolutely brutal.”
“I love it so much and the people are so embracing of this kind of music. They will tell you if they like it, and they’ll make it clear if they don’t.”
Michael and Alfie toyed with the idea of jetting to Las Vegas or Nashville to record a country album, before deciding to keep it local for their heartfelt theme.
Alfie said: “I came up with this concept for Together at Home – a celebration of what home means to you. Not necessarily the home you live in, but the people in your life: partners, children, friends.
“Music really stimulates the memories of home, and hopefully, people can connect with the songs on the album.”
The duo say they are like “brothers” after all their years spent working together – and it certainly shows in their dynamic on and off stage.
Michael said: “We’ve seen each other through some incredible achievements, traumatic and difficult times as well.
“We have our own careers going on, but if something happens when we’re together, apart from the music, it’s that unity.
“I’m with him on stage, and it feels like home. It’s really rare to find that – someone you can work with professionally that you also love.”
“I’m doing it because of community service,” Alfie deadpanned.
Michael retorts: “How many hours you got left? Do they take off the ankle tag?”
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will perform at Aberdeen’s P&J Arena and Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on April 7 and 8.
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