2014 was a huge year for Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro, not just winning UK’s biggest talent competition but numerous TV appearances including their much talked about Royal Variety Performance and some huge outdoor shows at Windsor Castle and in Brighton.
And now the four-piece group head out on their first full UK tour with fellow BGT star and runner-up Lucy Kay. Having already played a few venues the gleaming reviews have been flooding in! You can get the last few tickets for none sold out venues here: http://gigst.rs/collabro
So we caught up one quarter of Collabro, Matthew Pangan about his tour routines, music choices and more…
1. Since Britain’s Got Talent what’s been the best experience you’ve had?
There has been so many but one that really stands out is Brighton Pride where we performed in front of 50k people. To have that many people sing ‘Let It Go’ (Frozen) back to us was just incredible. We performed at Windsor Castle in front of Prince Andrew and Fergie. We also performed in front of Prince Harry and Jonny Wilkinson. We also performed at the Queens Theatre.
2. With your musical theatre style, would you ever like to do a residency in the West End and Broadway?
Yes definitely, we want Collabro to last as long as we can, but obviously all good things do come to end eventually, but we would all love to do West End or Broadway.
3. As a Group do think you will ever change up your style or would you stick to this genre?
The beauty of musical theatre is that there is so many songs, but then again there only so many songs a musical theatre boy band can do, so what we love doing tis he pop cross overs as well.
4. Whilst on tour do you have any pre dressing room rituals or routines as yet?
Before we go on stage we all put our hands in the middle and shout 1, 2, 3 COLLABRO as our good luck charm. We will always warm up together and have a bit of a team talk. We get on so well, we are always supportive of each other.
5. What do you to keep yourself busy when not on the road?
We all go to the gym. We will also often meet up outside of Collabro and go for a meal/drinks. I like to go out and see a show. Whether it’s with Collabro or not, we always spend time with each other.
6. Do you have a dressing room playlist? Or are there any artists you are listening to at the moment?
Well actually leading up to a show, we do A-capella and make up harmonies together before we go onstage. If there is a piano, Jamie will sit down and play too. We are however big fans of pop. We like Ed Sheeran, which we think is amazing. One Direction too. There are quite a few artists we love at the moment.
7. So what can the audience expect on your headline tour?
An all-round massive show. It’s all about songs from the first album and special addition, with a couple of surprises. We’ve also got Philippa Hannah opening for us and of course Lucy Kay, which is going to be such a laugh. Lucy is just one of the lads really and you’ll see that with the banter between us on stage.
8. What’s your favourite so
ng to perform live?
ng to perform live?
Personally my favourite song to perform live is ‘Anthem’ from Chess. With it being such a big song and all about your country, it’s a big number. We stand there and sing it really proudly.
9. What’s your favourite West End Show you’ve been to or concert?
My favourite show at the minute is ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’. Our vocal arranger Richard John works on this show. Robert Lindsay is incredible. Collectively though I would say ‘Les Miserable’.
10. Tell us about the best gig you’ve played so far?
Obviously performing in front of royalty is moments that you cherish, but Brighton Pride was incredible as we performed in front of such a massive crowd and seeing everyone sing back to us was just a great feeling.
11. In the future who would you most like to collaborate with?
Mine personally would be a guy call Ramin Karimloo. He’s insane. He performed in the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserable as Enjolras.
12. The lovely Lucy Kay is joining you on UK tour, have you seen each other much since BGT?
Yes, we have done a few gigs together including Windsor Castle where we sang ‘Come What May’ which we will be doing on tour. We are always in contact with her.
13. Will Lucy Kay be taking you out In Glasgow and Edinburgh whilst on tour for a proper Scottish night out?
Oh god, I hope so. No probably not, there isn’t going to be room for that carry on.
14. So you’ve had your album ‘Stars’ which featured a few festive tunes, have you got over the festive period yet?
Vocally yes. I think we are trying to work hard at the gym to work off some of the xmas dinners. Apart from that we are all good. All fit, healthy and raring to go.
15. Finally following the tour, what plans have you got for the rest of the year?
We have a book coming out called ‘Collabro: Our Story’ on March 5th about us growing up as individuals and how we got together as a band and our journey. We have a new album released 1st June and we’ll be back on BGT performing in May.
Plus we will be heading Japan, Australia and America in 2015! Exciting Times ahead!!