Latest news with #RelightMyFire
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
The Take That Experience coming to Blackwood in September
The Take That Experience will perform at Blackwood Miners' Institute on September 12, bringing to life more than 30 years of Take That's biggest hits with their Greatest Hits Tour. Known for their 'acclaimed vocal performances, stunning replica costumes and iconic dance routines,' the group have spent more than a decade delivering a live show that pays tribute to the legendary band. Nigel Martin-Smith, the man who originally formed Take That, said: "The closest thing to Take That." The show features fan favourites from across Take That's career, including Pray, Relight My Fire, Patience, Shine, These Days, and Rule the World. The performance also includes a tribute to Robbie Williams, with renditions of Angels, Rock DJ, and Candy. An audience member said: "A show you'll never forget." The Take That Experience promise more than just an evening of music for fans. A spokesman for the group said: "This show is a must for any Take That fan as the boys don't just give you a night you'll never forget... they give you The Take That Experience."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Writer of huge Spice Girls song admits most difficult part of working with band
EXCLUSIVE: An award-winning songwriter who has worked with the likes of Gary Barlow, Boyzone, Celine Dion and Aretha Franklin has admitted 'nothing compares' to the Spice Girls Spice Girls fever was at its peak in the nineties, and there was one person right in the middle of it all. Step forward songwriter Elliot Kennedy. The writer who is best pals with Gary Barlow and has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Celine Dion, was on hand when the iconic girl group took the world by storm. The co-writer of their hit tune Say You'll Be There from their debut album, Spice, has admitted there was one thing he sometimes struggled with with the group - containing them. However, he admitted this wasn't a bad thing and simply showed the true personality of a band destined for success. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Elliot said "nothing compares" to the Spice Girls, made up of Melanie B, Victoria Beckham, Melanie C, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell. "They literally crashed at my house," Elliot said. "This was before they had a manager and they were transitioning from the guy that put them together, who was obviously a visionary in his own right, and then we helped connect him to Simon Fuller. "But they were amazing and fantastic girls. Their energy was off the scale and the most difficult thing was containing the energy because they were a million miles an hour. "They had so many ideas that, for a songwriter, was just fantastic. I have nothing but amazing memories from working with them. As I say, they crashed at my house and we just became like family and it's lovely that they went out and changed the world. Being a part of that wave was remarkable and life changing and life affirming in all kinds of ways. "They were just fantastic people and still are and I have a great deal of respect for them all. They worked really bloody hard and deserved everything they got. It was charming and funny and crazy and it was brilliant to be a part of it." Elliot also opened up on his tight connection with Gary Barlow, with the pair currently working on theatrical shows. He said: "We speak every day and we work together all the time. He's my closest friend and collaborator and we're still doing it, you know? We're still cracking on and having a laugh and we're best of friends first and foremost." Elliot admitted the duo have a very similar way of thinking. But he also confessed that there's more to Gary than meets the eye, saying he's simply "just a big, regular guy". "He's a great dad and a solid husband. And he's a really great friend outside of music and everything else," he gushed. Elliot also revealed that Robbie Williams was also supposed to sing the Relight My Fire vocals but claimed the producer got the key wrong, leading to Gary singing it. And he says it was this that then led to him co-writing Everything Changes for the boys, to be sang by Robbie, which went to number one on the writer's 25th birthday, fulfiling his own dream. After reminiscing, Elliot also praised exciting rising band Apollo Junction after they approached him for their latest tune titled Entangled. The Yorkshire-based band who have also had a hit with Beautiful South singer Briana Corrigan wrote the song with the award-winning hitmaker and Elliot praised them for what he called was a "clever move". "Apollo Junction is a perfect example of how random my life goes," he admitted. "I'm working on records with The Overtones, or Alfie Boe, or whatever and writing musicals and then completely out of the left field, Jamie from the band contacts me. "I knew who they were because they're only from down the road but seldom do I do this. But for whatever reason, I thought I should give this a go." He explained the instant connection he go after meeting them and said: "What I thought was really quite clever was when they said to me that the last time they came off the Isle of Wight stage they realised they needed their songs to be better. 'We need a signature' they said. "And I just said, you know what, a lot of bands don't work that out." He revealed how he is proud of being a songwriter who can help others get that unique sound, explaining his eclectic range of stars he has worked with, which also includes Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and Boyzone. "But for a band who write their own material and suddenly realise they need the skills of someone who does this for a living, it was really a clever move, a really adept move, I thought." Apollo Junction's latest album is set to be released on August 22, with Elliot also releasing a number of other exciting tunes as well as his stage play.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I spent 12 years performing the ultimate Gary Barlow lookalike tribute act on cruises – people mistake me for him all the time
A Gary Barlow lookalike who has spent more than a decade performing as a cruise tribute act to the star says he is frequently mistaken for the singer in public. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Upon first glance, Jon Fisher is almost indistinguishable from the Take That favourite, but it's a look – and voice – that has been carefully honed over 12 years. With sandy blonde hair, a salt and pepper beard and similar facial features, the two performers could be siblings. They are also both 45, married and dads with three kids. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jon Fisher aka 'Gary Barlow' onboard Marella Cruises The resemblance has served Jon well – landing him the spot as the ultimate Barlow act in the UK and working on Marella Cruises, TUI UK&I's ocean cruise line. His favourite hits to perform include 'Only Takes A Minute Girl' and 'Relight My Fire', as well as crowd-pleasers like 'Back For Good' and 'Greatest Day'. 'I get a lot of double takes and stares on the cruises,' he said. 'People will whisper as I walk by, thinking I'm Gary – especially if I have my sunglasses on or if I'm standing next to other famous people, like Craig Revel Horwood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jon Fisher aka 'Gary Barlow' onboard Marella Cruises. 'Die-hard fans sometimes get a little bit confused when they meet me and want to take a picture together. 'While I appreciate the attention – because I love Gary too – I always come clean about my real identity. 'But I think it's great that people wonder if I'm really him, because it means I'm doing a good job. 'It's always a great atmosphere onboard the cruise – everybody gets up singing and dancing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The crowds love hearing the classic songs, and it gives them a home from home when they are onboard listening to music they know and love. 'Being able to travel from port to port makes it feel like I'm performing in a new city every night. 'Not many people can say they have performed to hundreds of people in the middle of the sea. 'The audience is a massive part of the job and what makes it such a joy. 'Cruisers majorly enjoy tribute acts, and they especially love getting involved by singing along to waving back to me in the crowd. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There are often fellas in the audience who have been dragged along to these shows by their wives, so I have a bit of fun with that.' Marella Cruises provide all-inclusive cruise holidays with full end-to-end service, including flights, cabins, entertainment, food and drinks, trips, and transfers. It also offers regional flying from over 20 airports and multiple cruise-and-stay options. Jon's full-time career – which involves embarking on 20 cruises a year – started 'by accident' after friends urged him to put his resemblance to the singer to good use. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jon said: 'I'd been singing for a long time and had worked on Marella Cruises doing productions and in different bands. 'I had a few mates who were doing tribute shows and they convinced me to give it a go. 'I had my first gig two weeks later – I haven't looked back since.' Jon's work takes him across the globe but the dad has never had the chance to meet Gary himself – yet. But it is likely the Take That star has heard of his most established tribute act, who boasts thousands of fans of his own online. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When he's not on the cruise, Jon – who is originally from Reading – lives in south Wales with his wife and kids. He tries to keep his work persona separate from his home life but he sometimes slips into Barlow's Cheshire accent. He added: 'You find some tributes who carry the personality of their act around with them – but that's not me. 'When I'm working, I'm working – but when I'm not, I'm not being Gary. 'I am a fan and respect what he does but I'm not hugely obsessed, so I don't carry him into my personal life.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We're the same age, the same height, we've both got three kids and are married – it's quite strange how it has worked out really. 'Sadly, I'm not a millionaire but I think my family are secretly quite proud of me. 'My wife was a big Take That fan before I started, and my eldest daughter is 18 and she's a big fan of my work, too.' Given he is ageing alongside Barlow, Jon has no plans to quit his act anytime soon. He added: 'I see myself doing this for as long as the work and demand is out there. 'Gary is still well-loved, he's always working on something and I'm lucky to have such a well-thought-of act. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Plus I love the atmosphere on Marella Cruises and being part of special holiday memories for so many people.' For any budding tribute acts, Jon has also shared his three secrets to making it big – and how you can replicate his success. STUDY THE ARTIST Jon said: 'The key to a successful tribute act is to immerse yourself in the artist's world. 'This means understanding their mannerisms, quirky traits and every little detail that makes them unique. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The look and sound are crucial, but they come naturally when you study the character you wish to emulate. 'I watched a lot of footage, especially live footage, to get a feel for Gary's personality and the way he moves. 'I'd listen carefully to the way he pronounced his words and held onto notes in the songs, too.' PERFECT THE LOOK He said: 'While I naturally resemble Gary Barlow, there are various ways to transform yourself into the artist you want to portray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Make-up, specially made costumes and other visual aids can help you achieve the desired look. 'The right appearance can significantly enhance your performance and make your act more convincing. 'Half of the battle is getting the look right. 'It's a big help for me that I naturally look like Gary but it's also important to really get to know the character and the way they present themselves.' HONE THE VOICE Jon said: 'The voice is the most critical aspect of a tribute act. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There's no point in perfecting the look if the voice doesn't match. 'Listening to live recordings of the artist can help you understand their vocal nuances and tricks. 'Vocally, Gary sings down through his nose quite a bit, which is difficult to do if you don't do that normally – but it all comes with practice. 'Additionally, infusing a bit of your own personality into the performance can make it more engaging and memorable.'
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I spent 12 years performing the ultimate Gary Barlow lookalike tribute act on cruises – people mistake me for him all the time
A Gary Barlow lookalike who has spent more than a decade performing as a cruise tribute act to the star says he is frequently mistaken for the singer in public. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Upon first glance, Jon Fisher is almost indistinguishable from the Take That favourite, but it's a look – and voice – that has been carefully honed over 12 years. With sandy blonde hair, a salt and pepper beard and similar facial features, the two performers could be siblings. They are also both 45, married and dads with three kids. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jon Fisher aka 'Gary Barlow' onboard Marella Cruises The resemblance has served Jon well – landing him the spot as the ultimate Barlow act in the UK and working on Marella Cruises, TUI UK&I's ocean cruise line. His favourite hits to perform include 'Only Takes A Minute Girl' and 'Relight My Fire', as well as crowd-pleasers like 'Back For Good' and 'Greatest Day'. 'I get a lot of double takes and stares on the cruises,' he said. 'People will whisper as I walk by, thinking I'm Gary – especially if I have my sunglasses on or if I'm standing next to other famous people, like Craig Revel Horwood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jon Fisher aka 'Gary Barlow' onboard Marella Cruises. 'Die-hard fans sometimes get a little bit confused when they meet me and want to take a picture together. 'While I appreciate the attention – because I love Gary too – I always come clean about my real identity. 'But I think it's great that people wonder if I'm really him, because it means I'm doing a good job. 'It's always a great atmosphere onboard the cruise – everybody gets up singing and dancing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The crowds love hearing the classic songs, and it gives them a home from home when they are onboard listening to music they know and love. 'Being able to travel from port to port makes it feel like I'm performing in a new city every night. 'Not many people can say they have performed to hundreds of people in the middle of the sea. 'The audience is a massive part of the job and what makes it such a joy. 'Cruisers majorly enjoy tribute acts, and they especially love getting involved by singing along to waving back to me in the crowd. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There are often fellas in the audience who have been dragged along to these shows by their wives, so I have a bit of fun with that.' Marella Cruises provide all-inclusive cruise holidays with full end-to-end service, including flights, cabins, entertainment, food and drinks, trips, and transfers. It also offers regional flying from over 20 airports and multiple cruise-and-stay options. Jon's full-time career – which involves embarking on 20 cruises a year – started 'by accident' after friends urged him to put his resemblance to the singer to good use. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jon said: 'I'd been singing for a long time and had worked on Marella Cruises doing productions and in different bands. 'I had a few mates who were doing tribute shows and they convinced me to give it a go. 'I had my first gig two weeks later – I haven't looked back since.' Jon's work takes him across the globe but the dad has never had the chance to meet Gary himself – yet. But it is likely the Take That star has heard of his most established tribute act, who boasts thousands of fans of his own online. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When he's not on the cruise, Jon – who is originally from Reading – lives in south Wales with his wife and kids. He tries to keep his work persona separate from his home life but he sometimes slips into Barlow's Cheshire accent. He added: 'You find some tributes who carry the personality of their act around with them – but that's not me. 'When I'm working, I'm working – but when I'm not, I'm not being Gary. 'I am a fan and respect what he does but I'm not hugely obsessed, so I don't carry him into my personal life.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We're the same age, the same height, we've both got three kids and are married – it's quite strange how it has worked out really. 'Sadly, I'm not a millionaire but I think my family are secretly quite proud of me. 'My wife was a big Take That fan before I started, and my eldest daughter is 18 and she's a big fan of my work, too.' Given he is ageing alongside Barlow, Jon has no plans to quit his act anytime soon. He added: 'I see myself doing this for as long as the work and demand is out there. 'Gary is still well-loved, he's always working on something and I'm lucky to have such a well-thought-of act. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Plus I love the atmosphere on Marella Cruises and being part of special holiday memories for so many people.' For any budding tribute acts, Jon has also shared his three secrets to making it big – and how you can replicate his success. STUDY THE ARTIST Jon said: 'The key to a successful tribute act is to immerse yourself in the artist's world. 'This means understanding their mannerisms, quirky traits and every little detail that makes them unique. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The look and sound are crucial, but they come naturally when you study the character you wish to emulate. 'I watched a lot of footage, especially live footage, to get a feel for Gary's personality and the way he moves. 'I'd listen carefully to the way he pronounced his words and held onto notes in the songs, too.' PERFECT THE LOOK He said: 'While I naturally resemble Gary Barlow, there are various ways to transform yourself into the artist you want to portray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Make-up, specially made costumes and other visual aids can help you achieve the desired look. 'The right appearance can significantly enhance your performance and make your act more convincing. 'Half of the battle is getting the look right. 'It's a big help for me that I naturally look like Gary but it's also important to really get to know the character and the way they present themselves.' HONE THE VOICE Jon said: 'The voice is the most critical aspect of a tribute act. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There's no point in perfecting the look if the voice doesn't match. 'Listening to live recordings of the artist can help you understand their vocal nuances and tricks. 'Vocally, Gary sings down through his nose quite a bit, which is difficult to do if you don't do that normally – but it all comes with practice.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘I spent years acting as UK celeb on cruises - people always mistake me for him'
Jon Fisher is a veteran lookalike who has spent the past 12 years performing on Marella Cruises. He loves his job and relishes the opportunity to travel the world A Gary Barlow lookalike who has spent more than a decade performing as a cruise tribute act to the star says he is frequently mistaken for the singer in public. Upon first glance, Jon Fisher is almost indistinguishable from the Take That favourite, but it's a look – and voice – that has been carefully honed over 12 years. With sandy blonde hair, a salt and pepper beard and similar facial features, the two performers could be siblings. They are also both 45, married and dads with three kids. The resemblance has served Jon well – landing him the spot as the ultimate Barlow act in the UK and working on Marella Cruises, TUI's ocean cruise line. His favourite hits to perform include 'Only Takes A Minute Girl' and 'Relight My Fire', as well as crowd-pleasers like 'Back For Good' and 'Greatest Day'. 'I get a lot of double takes and stares on the cruises. People will whisper as I walk by, thinking I'm Gary – especially if I have my sunglasses on or if I'm standing next to other famous people, like Craig Revel Horwood," he explained. 'Die-hard fans sometimes get a little bit confused when they meet me and want to take a picture together. While I appreciate the attention – because I love Gary too – I always come clean about my real identity. But I think it's great that people wonder if I'm really him, because it means I'm doing a good job. 'It's always a great atmosphere onboard the cruise – everybody gets up singing and dancing. The crowds love hearing the classic songs, and it gives them a home from home when they are onboard listening to music they know and love." Jon loves his job and the chance that he gets to travel. 'Being able to travel from port to port makes it feel like I'm performing in a new city every night," he said. "Not many people can say they have performed to hundreds of people in the middle of the sea. The audience is a massive part of the job and what makes it such a joy. Cruisers majorly enjoy tribute acts, and they especially love getting involved by singing along to waving back to me in the crowd. There are often fellas in the audience who have been dragged along to these shows by their wives, so I have a bit of fun with that.' Marella Cruises provide all-inclusive cruise holidays with full end-to-end service, including flights, cabins, entertainment, food and drinks, trips, and transfers. It also offers regional flying from over 20 airports and multiple cruise-and-stay options. Jon's full-time career – which involves embarking on 20 cruises a year – started 'by accident' after friends urged him to put his resemblance to the singer to good use. Jon said: 'I'd been singing for a long time and had worked on Marella Cruises doing productions and in different bands. 'I had a few mates who were doing tribute shows and they convinced me to give it a go. I had my first gig two weeks later – I haven't looked back since.' Jon's work takes him across the globe but the dad has never had the chance to meet Gary himself – yet. When he's not on the cruise, Jon – who is originally from Reading – lives in south Wales with his wife and kids. He tries to keep his work persona separate from his home life, but he sometimes slips into Barlow's Cheshire accent. He added: 'You find some tributes who carry the personality of their act around with them – but that's not me. When I'm working, I'm working – but when I'm not, I'm not being Gary. I am a fan and respect what he does but I'm not hugely obsessed, so I don't carry him into my personal life.'
