Will Young: Light it Up

To celebrate the new album, Will is embarking on his most intimate tour yet – taking shape as an up close and personal evening of acoustic performances, stories and conversation. The 50-date UK tour will kick off in September through to November. About the tour, Young says: “I’m very excited to be going to a lot of places I haven’t been. I wanted to go to smaller venues so I could properly get around the country rather than just playing the big cities.”

Channeling the nostalgia of 80s pop with a modern, soulful touch; ‘Falling Deep’ sits somewhere between The Police and The Weeknd. The song is written and produced by renowned pop hitmakers PhD (who have worked with Kylie), with GRAMMY-winning songwriter David Brook (OneRepublic & Galantis) and Fraser Churchill (Charlie Puth). ‘Falling Deep’ speaks to the sweet surrender of giving into a new experience, however dangerous or out of control it makes you feel. It is the perfect introduction to Will’s first album of originals in five years.

Support act: Maddox Jones

Will said: “I’m remembering my roots of pop and completely welcoming it. The song immediately made my mind go to the late 70s and early 80s. I wanted the fun and nostalgia of that time but to modernise it, and I’m so proud of the result.”

‘Falling Deep’ is brought to life by a vibrant music video with nods to the classic, musicals-like chorus line. Directed by Samuel Douek (who has worked with Anne-Marie, Tom Walker and Mabel); it features an ensemble of dancers, all around Will’s age.

He said: “I wanted to work with dancers my age as I think sometimes there can be such a focus on youth in the dance world for all performers, and older performers come with such grace and wisdom. It was a fantastic day working with people my age. We all knew what a Nintendo Gameboy was and I think especially women can be overlooked as they age, so it felt very important to work with men and women for the project”.

The forthcoming album “Light It Up” – out on 9 August – is Will Young’s return to “joyous pop”. The 10-track collection sees the acclaimed singer-songwriter team up with new collaborators, pHD, the Scandinavian pop production/writing duo who has worked with Little Mix. He also reunites with Andy Cato of Groove Armada and long-term writing partners Jim and Mima Elliot (who worked on Will’s defining album, “Echoes”).

He said: “I think for me it was about finally feeling more content and being able to go back to embracing joyous unashamed pop music. I really hope this is the go-to pop album for a dance, for a cry and for a celebration. I know I do all three with it.”

Support act: Maddox Jones