Will Young

“I’m remembering my roots of pop and completely welcoming it. It’s time to celebrate and have fun.” This, coming from one of Britain’s best-loved and steadfast pop singer-songwriters of the 2000s, signals a shimmering return to form.

Will Young celebrated 20 years since his momentous Pop Idol win with a greatest hits album and sell-out national tour in 2022, a glorious recap of a career thus far that has seen all eight of his studio albums hitting Top 3 in the UK – four of which were No 1.  Along the way, he picked up accolades across the entertainment spectrum including the two BRIT Awards, an Ivor Novello plus an Olivier nomination for Best Actor in A Musical for his role as Emcee in Cabaret.  It would also be remiss to ignore the 10 million albums he has sold worldwide, but as validating as these accomplishments are, they don’t drive or define him. The secret to Will’s longevity and colourful career lies in his artistic instinct and connection with his audience.

In recent years, this conduit for connection has expanded and deepened through his top-charting podcasts and books in the LGBTQIA+ mental health and wellbeing space, documentary and stage work – notably his recent role in the critically-lauded one-man play by Simon Stephens: Songs From Far Away. The beauty and balance between celebrating his pop hits and embarking on a new challenge became fuel for his forthcoming ninth studio album – his first album of original material in five years.