HE’S has enjoyed a stratospheric takeoff over the past 18 months, earning itself the chance to tour America and Australia.
And Tom Grennan returned to the UK last week looking forward to a wild summer of shows and the completion of a new album.
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But despite his busy schedule, the star graciously took the time to join us for Bizarre’s 40th Anniversary celebration over the weekend, performing a string of his hits alongside friend and UK competition winner Becky Hill as the two brought down the rooftop of Kristen Bell Tattoos’s headquarters. . .
And chatting before his stormy speech, which has been watched by the greats and good of the showbiz industry along with many of Bizarre’s editors over the past four decades, he told me how he still has to pinch himself at the rate at which his life has changed.
He picked up the guitar and taught himself how to play in his late teens after giving up on his dream of becoming a professional football player.
Tom told me, “I was about 17 and played for a few clubs like Luton and I was pretty good, but all of a sudden guys were leaving bigger teams like Arsenal and I just had to being realistic, I didn’t really mean to. to do this.
“I was offered to play at the American Academy, but I decided to focus on A-levels.
“I was wondering what to do with my life when a friend in college asked if I would like to sing with a band for a school project. I said no – I didn’t think I had confidence – but I was convinced and surprised everyone and myself.
“That’s it, I had a mistake and from there it was all I wanted.
“I took the guitar and taught myself how to play, but from the very beginning I tried to work out my own melodies and focus on that.
“It’s just something I can do, write about myself and play in a few small venues.
“Surprisingly, I was in a pub in Finsbury Park when a guy from Sony Music came up to me and asked if I wrote these tunes.
BIG LEAP
“He took my email address and suggested that I record some snippets, which I did and posted them online. All of a sudden I started dating other labels, but I signed with the guy who spotted me first.
“I came to this late, but when it happened it was fast and very organic – in a way that doesn’t seem to happen often anymore.”
Tom’s assault on the charts brought him huge commercial and critical success with songs like A Little Bit Of Love, Remind Me and Don’t Break The Heart.
Last month, he visited America for the first time, a tour that marked a big leap in his quest for worldwide success, telling me, “After all, that’s his ambition.”
But that was overshadowed by a vicious attack in the early hours outside a New York bar after the concert that left him hospitalized.
He explains, “Actually, I was in the wrong part of town, stupidly.
“I went out for a drink after the concert to celebrate and I don’t know New York at all, but it turned out to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“I couldn’t let it ruin the experience, and it doesn’t. I will never forget that trip, and right after it we went to Australia. It’s been the most incredible year or two for me.”
Tom then hopes to round off his experience with a massive homecoming concert in Bedford Park – just a five-minute walk from his parents’ house.
This marks a moment of immense pride for the singer, who promises to celebrate the night in style.
“It’s a small place,” he admits, “but I love it and I’m proud of it. If I could put it on the map a little more, that would be cool too.”
Keep an eye out for Tom’s new record when it comes out later this year. The entire music industry is looking forward to good things.
And thanks for the tunes, mate.
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Mabel smiles
LOOKING, Mabel worked out well over the weekend.
The Don’t Call Me star donned a black lace suit to celebrate the release of a new book from designer Jeremy Scott.
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Mabel shared photos of herself from the party, where she wore a crystal-embellished Moschino suit.
In one shot, the 5ft 3in singer can be seen chatting – well, almost – with models Leomie Anderson, Munroe Bergdorf and Jourdan Dunn.
The singer, who is dating music boss Pree Crooks, will release a new single on Friday.
She recorded Overthinking with American rapper 24kGOLDN, with whom she last worked on the 2020 Tick Tock single Clean Bandit, which reached the top ten in the UK.
SECRET ED HIT PERFECTLY
Ed Sheeran fans can get in on the fun as the Bad Habits vocalist has been working on a “top secret” track.
Last month, he collaborated with South African singer-songwriter Jeremy Loops to release the single Better Together, which will feature on Heard’s forthcoming album You Got Love.
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But the pair have also been working on a second song that could top the charts in the future.
Jeremy said: “We’ve been working on something else special and depending on how we go with Better Together, maybe we’ll explore that in the future.
“But now all systems are focused on this.
“It’s top secret. It’s just a beautiful song.”
Jeremy added, “Ed is a melodic machine.”
LOVED EMELIE IN KIDS WISH
EMELIE SANDE revealed that she would like to settle down and start a family with her partner, classical pianist Yoana Karemova.
The singer said that last month she found love with a woman. Now she is looking to the future and in an exclusive chat said: “I would really like to have a baby someday.
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“It’s that balance – you want to get better at what you do, you want to keep advancing your career, but at the same time you’re a woman.
“If it happens, then it’s fantastic. But if I have to dedicate myself to my music, so be it.
“I hope one day we can start a family.”
Emeli also revealed that her parents fully approved of her relationship with Yoana.
CASH CASH
THIS weekend, thousands of drummers kicked off a 250-hour music marathon to raise funds for a range of charities, including Variety.
The event is now in its third year and will feature prominent drummers including The Cure’s Jason Cooper, Elbow’s Richard Jupp and Kaiser Chiefs’ Nick Hodgson.
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To date, DrumathonLIVE has helped raise over £160,000 for children’s charities and mental health charities.
To participate or make a donation, visit dramaton.live.
DUA LIPA reveals how online trolls bullied her so severely that she almost considered cashing in on music forever.
In a new interview, the One Kiss superstar said: “There were moments of self-doubt, although it was unfair because a lot of the people who sent these messages or said things online weren’t really with anyone. my shows.
“Social media sort of runs on this toxic currency of someone who can make people laugh at the expense of others.”
Luckily Dua held on and she became one of our most successful pop exporters. She added, “Now if someone says something, it doesn’t even bother me.”