British tenor Alfie Boe is set to release his album Face Myself on April 11, marking his first collection of original material in 20 years. The project, guided by rock legend Pete Townshend, features the debut single Meanwhile Gardens, now available. Boe will support the release with a UK tour starting in late March.
Alfie Boe, the 52-year-old operatic tenor known for his role as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and his chart-topping collaborations with Michael Ball, has revealed details of his upcoming album Face Myself. Set for release on April 11, the record represents a shift from his traditional showtunes and opera background, incorporating indie influences and personal reflections from his childhood and teenage years.
Boe credits The Who guitarist Pete Townshend, 80, with unlocking his songwriting potential. In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Boe recounted Townshend's advice: “Don’t try to rhyme. Don’t even try and write a chorus or a verse, just write thoughts.” He described the process as “free writing,” which led to a cathartic outpouring of lyrics, storyboards, and imagery. “The minute I started, I couldn't stop,” Boe said. This marks the first time Boe has taken a hands-on role in production, contributing to string parts, vocal lines, piano, guitar, and percussion.
Previous attempts at original songwriting were discouraged by executives who viewed him primarily through his opera and musical theatre lens, including four UK number-one albums as Ball and Boe. Boe, who holds an OBE and a Tony Award, expressed pride in his daily writing habit and hopes fans will embrace this authentic side. “This album feels like a baring of my soul,” he noted.
The album's lead single, Meanwhile Gardens, is out now. Boe will perform on a UK tour opening at the London Palladium on March 30 with a five-piece band, emphasizing a simple, real stage setup without glitz. Additional tour dates begin mid-April in cities including Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Birmingham, culminating at the Royal Albert Hall on May 26. Boe, who recently returned to northern England after years in the US with his former wife Sarah and children Grace and Alfred, described the move as a surprising pull back to his roots.
