Olly Murs

Brighton Centre, Brighton

Monday, May 27

Ten years ago Olly Murs broke out as a star on the X Factor. Six albums later the singer is celebrating a decade in music and, off the back of his new album, is eager to give his fans a party to thank them for their support. Jamie Walker spoke to him about his ten years at the top of the charts

Hi Olly, how’s everything going?

Everything has been going great, it’s been a good start to the year.

This is your tenth year in music, since your X Factor appearance. Does it feel like it’s been that long?

Yeah, it’s crazy.

I don’t know if it feels like it.

It’s been a great journey, I’ve not looked back.

The last few months I’ve been looking back thinking that I did it that long ago.

I’ve had a fantastic career and I’m still loving it.

I’m hitting the road for another tour and I’m really excited about it.

Absolutely, how much are you looking forward to being back on the road?

Whenever you do an album you want to go out on the road and sing them, bring those recorded songs to life, and that’s what I can’t wait to do.

I love entertaining people, out there on stage, just singing to people.

The album, You Know I Know, was released in November and the reception to it has been largely positive. You must be delighted by that?

It’s been amazing.

It was disappointing to not get to number one but you win some, you lose some.

To finish second behind Muse was great.

It was a celebration for me and my fans, celebrating a great ten years.

There’s loads of collaborations on it, Nile Rogers, Snoop Dog, Ed Sheeran wrote one of the songs.

There’s loads of great people on it.

It was a great album to write and to be a part of.

Like you say, you worked with plenty of people on this record. I can imagine they must have all been quite different to work with?

Yeah all different but all driven and all want to do the best they can do.

I just asked some people.

Shaggy was great and Nile was up for it.

And the fans seemed to like it too.

How does that work? Do you literally just pick up the phone and give them a call?

It’s a larger process than that.

If I was hanging out with people all the time it may be different.

But these people I worked with I don’t see very often.

You have to go through all the usual channels, management and labels, things like that.

I just put in my ideas and requests and see if it ends up happening.

For anyone who hasn’t seen you live before, what can they expect from this tour?

I think anyone who comes to see me knows to expect a fun show.

Every night is a Saturday night.

It’s a night to party.

I want people to be going in to work or school the next day with a sore throat, having had a great time.

That’s what every show is like for me, it’s no different on this tour.

And how important is it that each tour offers something new?

This tour will be different because it’s my tenth year.

I want it to be unique and special for the fans.

I want them to see it and feel it and know they’ve been a big part of this ten years.

It’s going to be emotional and a lot of fun.

I can’t wait for people to see it.

There will be some fun bits of stage and some big moments as well.

Going back to your time on X Factor, did you think you’d be doing these shows ten years on?

I’d have probably laughed if you’d told me I’d still be doing this, at the time.

I’ve just released my sixth album so it’s a great time for me.

I’m living my best life, and I can’t wait for the next ten years to see what happens next.

I try to live in the moment so I don’t know what’s going to happen but I can’t wait for it.

You also starred as a judge on The Voice, how did you find that experience?

It’s exceeded my expectations.

From walking in the door until now I’ve had such a giggle and such a laugh.

The team is great and it’s a great show to be a part of.

I love it.

Is that another thing putting your career in perspective? A decade ago you were a reality singing show contestant. And now you’re a reality singing show mentor.

It’s put my career massively in perspective.

It’s unbelievable to be able to pass my knowledge and experience to these new contestants, these new stars.

Imagine how Tom Jones feels, he’s been doing it nearly 60 years.

It’s an amazing feeling to be giving something back to the industry you love.

I’m able to do that every week and it’s amazing.

If I can help them and give them some of my advice then they can hopefully go on and have the careers they deserve.

And it must help knowing you’ve had that reality TV experience as well?

Of course.

What we try and say is that The Voice is the platform but it’s a whole different level to going out on the road.

It’s a daunting prospect singing in front of cameras every week so it’s a great experience for everyone.

I still get nervous now singing on TV.

Sometimes you aren’t even prepared for it.

And whether it’s X Factor or The Voice does it give you that early experience of performing in front of an audience?

Yeah for these guys it is.

It’s an opportunity to learn their craft, get advice from the coaches.

And we have a great team behind the cameras as well.

If they leave having got some experience, and a few more followers on social media, they’ve got a bit more of a jump and a presence.

They have to take it from there and move on.

Of course not everyone can win the show. But picking up on what you just said, how important is it to have a good social media presence and following?

It’s the same with all of us.

I came off the X Factor when Twitter started.

But it’s about building that following.

It’s about people getting to know you as an artist.

Social media gives everyone an amazing platform and opportunity to do what they can.

When they leave the show we say it’s an opportunity, whether you win or not.

So why is this going to be the show to see?

It’s going to be the funniest, most entertaining, most enjoyable show you’ll see all summer.

For tickets and more information visit www.brightoncentre.co.uk