IL DIVO
ANNOUNCES UK TOUR THIS OCTOBER
CELEBRATING THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Monday, 21st October- Southend Cliffs Pavilion
TICKETS ON SALE HERE
PLUS INTERVIEW WITH THE BOYS AND CHECK OUT OUR ZOOM INTERVIEW WITH URS!
20TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM 'XX' OUT NOW
ANNOUNCES UK TOUR THIS OCTOBER
CELEBRATING THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Monday, 21st October- Southend Cliffs Pavilion
TICKETS ON SALE HERE
PLUS INTERVIEW WITH THE BOYS AND CHECK OUT OUR ZOOM INTERVIEW WITH URS!
20TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM 'XX' OUT NOW
Prepare to be swept away by the powerful voices of Il Divo as the globally renowned classical crossover vocal group embark on a brand-new UK tour this October to celebrate their 20th anniversary!
Since 2004, Urs Bühler (tenor) of Switzerland, Sébastien Izambard (tenor) of France, David Miller (tenor) of America, and new member Steven LaBrie (baritone) of America— have emerged as a phenomenon with indefinable magic. They have sold 30 million albums worldwide, scored 50 #1 hits, and earned 160 Gold and Platinum records across 35 countries.
The iconic quartet Il Divo started their celebrations 20th anniversary earlier this year with the release of their 10th full length album XX." It is the group's first album with new member Steven LaBrie, after the tragic passing of founding member Carlos Marin in 2021 due to COVID-19.
Produced by Grammy® and Latin Grammy® Award-winning artist Carlos Fernando Lopez (Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony), "XX: 20TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM," includes songs sung by IL DIVO in English, Spanish and Italian; and an original composition written by the group, "Despertar Sin Ti." In addition to the IL DIVO spin on Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," the album will also include Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing," with a Spanish version, "No Tengo Nada,"; Miguel Gallardo's "Hoy Tengo Ganas De Ti,"; Brenda Lee and Elvis Presley's "Always On My Mind," sung in English and Italian; Ed Sheeran's smash hit "Perfect"; "Despacito," the mega-smash by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber, and more.
Between selling out tours on multiple continents, they've performed everywhere from the Summer Olympics and FIFA World Cup to Diamond Jubilee at Windsor and the Commander-in-Chief's Ball. Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with stunning vocals, breathtaking music, and the undeniable magic of Il Divo. The upcoming shows will be filled with Il Divo’s hits from their vast catalogue of songs as well as songs from their new 20th anniversary album.
Tickets for the Il Divo UK Tour go on sale Friday, 19th April at 9.30am via HERE.
IL DIVO 20TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR
Wednesday, 16th October - London Palladium
Thursday, 17th October - Cardiff Utilita Arena
Saturday, 19th October - Bournemouth International Centre
Monday, 21st October- Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Tuesday, 22nd October - Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 23rd October - Bristol Beacon
Thursday, 24th October - Brighton Centre
Saturday, 26th October- Birmingham Utilita Arena
Monday, 28th October - Liverpool Philharmonic
Tuesday, 29th October - Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Since 2004, Urs Bühler (tenor) of Switzerland, Sébastien Izambard (tenor) of France, David Miller (tenor) of America, and new member Steven LaBrie (baritone) of America— have emerged as a phenomenon with indefinable magic. They have sold 30 million albums worldwide, scored 50 #1 hits, and earned 160 Gold and Platinum records across 35 countries.
The iconic quartet Il Divo started their celebrations 20th anniversary earlier this year with the release of their 10th full length album XX." It is the group's first album with new member Steven LaBrie, after the tragic passing of founding member Carlos Marin in 2021 due to COVID-19.
Produced by Grammy® and Latin Grammy® Award-winning artist Carlos Fernando Lopez (Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony), "XX: 20TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM," includes songs sung by IL DIVO in English, Spanish and Italian; and an original composition written by the group, "Despertar Sin Ti." In addition to the IL DIVO spin on Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," the album will also include Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing," with a Spanish version, "No Tengo Nada,"; Miguel Gallardo's "Hoy Tengo Ganas De Ti,"; Brenda Lee and Elvis Presley's "Always On My Mind," sung in English and Italian; Ed Sheeran's smash hit "Perfect"; "Despacito," the mega-smash by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber, and more.
Between selling out tours on multiple continents, they've performed everywhere from the Summer Olympics and FIFA World Cup to Diamond Jubilee at Windsor and the Commander-in-Chief's Ball. Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with stunning vocals, breathtaking music, and the undeniable magic of Il Divo. The upcoming shows will be filled with Il Divo’s hits from their vast catalogue of songs as well as songs from their new 20th anniversary album.
Tickets for the Il Divo UK Tour go on sale Friday, 19th April at 9.30am via HERE.
IL DIVO 20TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR
Wednesday, 16th October - London Palladium
Thursday, 17th October - Cardiff Utilita Arena
Saturday, 19th October - Bournemouth International Centre
Monday, 21st October- Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Tuesday, 22nd October - Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 23rd October - Bristol Beacon
Thursday, 24th October - Brighton Centre
Saturday, 26th October- Birmingham Utilita Arena
Monday, 28th October - Liverpool Philharmonic
Tuesday, 29th October - Manchester Bridgewater Hall
INTERVIEW WITH IL DIVO
IL DIVO, YOU’VE ANNOUNCED YOUR BRAND-NEW TOUR CELEBRATING 20 YEARS, WHAT CAN THE AUDIENCE EXPECT?
DAVID: Well, for those who are brand new to Il Divo, I think they can expect an unexpected evening. For our 20th anniversary we have decided to throw our previous touring model out the window and do something completely different.
We have a lot of legacy material, but we're also presenting a lot of the new album XX which is a lot more contemporary in terms of the repertoire than our previous work.
We want to create a show that reflects this new album and the change that we have gone through in the past three years not the least of which having a new member join the band. It’s going to a brand-new experience for everybody.
OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS OF YOUR CAREER WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT?
URS: I would say my highlight is recording our latest album because I'm incredibly proud of it.
As executive producers of the record we were so heavily involved in creating the orchestral compositions and arranging the vocals together. This is our baby, more than anything we've done before. That along having survived the pop business after 20 years and not losing our musical inspiration is very special.
THIS IS THE FIRST ALBUM ON YOUR OWN LABEL, HOW WAS IT PRODUCING THE ALBUM ON YOUR OWN TERMS?
SEBASTIAN: we were in Miami with our co-producer, Carlos Lopez and decided to work on album, Double XX following a series of Christmas songs we recorded. I thought it was really important that we reinvent ourselves, that we excite ourselves, our audience, and create a space for people.
I remember presenting the band, Crazy (Gnarls Barley), and the guys thought it was crazy (haha)! It was the same with Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars too. I was trying to bring a newer repertoire. I think with this record we're making classical music more accessible to a younger audience and having Steven in our band as well, who is the baby at 36, definitely brings a youthful edge to Il Divo.
STEVEN, YOU'RE FIRMLY PART OF THE IL DIVO NOW, HOW DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE EVOLVED AS A GROUP?
STEVEN: the fact that we are more than ever in control of all the creative aspects of the group we feel more than ever as a unit. And we all know that we want to make all of this as good as we possibly can. We feel more than ever that this is something very special that we've been given.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE UK CITY TO VISIT AND WHY? DO YOU FIND UK FANS TO BE DIFFERENT FROM FANS IN OTHER COUNTRIES?
DAVID: Well, I have difficulty answering that question because 20 years ago, when we first started the band, we all moved to the UK to basically set up shop with Simon Cowell at the helm.
For the two and a half years of our career together as Il Divo, we were in London getting to know each other as people and it was so much fun. It gave us an opportunity to have these bonding experiences and visit all these amazing towns and cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Blackpool, Southend-on-Sea, etc. The UK in my heart is synonymous with the inception of Il Divo.
SEBASTIAN: One of my favourite places in the UK is Bath, it's just beautiful. There's just such brilliant countryside in the UK that are, when the weather is nice, incomparable to anywhere in the world.
And what I love also is seeing our fans. They feel to me like an extended family.
STEVEN: It was actually the very first time for me in the UK on tour December 2022. London is such a beautiful city. I was so taken aback by everything about it.
Plus, there’s a lot of really well-known songs on the new album like Perfect by Ed Sheeran that I'm excited to perform in the UK because it’s by a UK artist. I think everyone's going to love out interpretation.
HOW DID YOU HOW DID YOU FIND THE INSPIRATION TO REINTERPRET PERFECT INTO YOUR STYLE?
URS: The melody is fantastic. We really love the song. I think you have to keep what’s appropriate and do what's best for the song but also try cutting ourselves loose and make it our own.
HOW WAS THE WRITING PROCESS FOR ORIGINAL TRACK ‘DESPERTAR SIN TI’?
DAVID: Il Divo had become super well known for interpreting songs that people are hyper familiar with and on this new album not only does it celebrate 20 years, but it also looks forward to the next 20 years.
Sebastian has been really trying to champion the idea of getting an original Il Divo track on the album, something written by us for us. He is a songwriter and has written loads of songs with a lot of other people. I have composition training from my conservatory days and our coproducer, Carlos Lopez is also classically trained. So, this kind of trifecta of the three of us created this kind of compositional balance. We were literally working on it all the way up until the day it was recorded. That whole process honestly was a lot of fun.
XX HAS SUCH AN ECLECTIC MIX OF TRACKS, HOW DID THE TRACK LISTING COME ABOUT?
SEBASTIAN: It's funny, we play this game called the perfume game were each of us had around 30 songs that we put in a short list. We listened to those and then within 20 seconds, we had to say yes or no.
I feel there were, for me on my end, a couple of songs that I really felt strong about, that could have made this album but see what the future brings.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOURSELF WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED?
URS: I would say relax and just enjoy the ride. When you start in this pop business, you never know how long you're going last. Nobody had a long-time vision for this, not even Simon Cowell.
Simon told me once in the beginning, if I start something like that, I expect five to seven years. So every year, I was worried that would be the last album I would be recording with Il Divo. After about 10 years, I think I kind of started to have a bit more faith.
IL DIVO DID A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO CARLOS ON THE LAST TOUR IN 2022. HOW WOULD YOU CONTINUE TO HONOUR HIM GOING FORWARDS AS TIME MARCHES ON?
SEBASTIAN: it's going be difficult but I feel the best way to honour Carlos is to carry on what we've been doing for the last 20 years by going on stage, having fun every night, making the best music to say thank you to him and continue his legacy.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR IL DIVO?
STEVEN: we have been so focused in the last year on this new album and that has in turn now put the spotlight on the tour. what I love about these guys is that there's an endless supply of creativity and ideas.
I feel like the sky's the limit.
DAVID: Well, for those who are brand new to Il Divo, I think they can expect an unexpected evening. For our 20th anniversary we have decided to throw our previous touring model out the window and do something completely different.
We have a lot of legacy material, but we're also presenting a lot of the new album XX which is a lot more contemporary in terms of the repertoire than our previous work.
We want to create a show that reflects this new album and the change that we have gone through in the past three years not the least of which having a new member join the band. It’s going to a brand-new experience for everybody.
OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS OF YOUR CAREER WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT?
URS: I would say my highlight is recording our latest album because I'm incredibly proud of it.
As executive producers of the record we were so heavily involved in creating the orchestral compositions and arranging the vocals together. This is our baby, more than anything we've done before. That along having survived the pop business after 20 years and not losing our musical inspiration is very special.
THIS IS THE FIRST ALBUM ON YOUR OWN LABEL, HOW WAS IT PRODUCING THE ALBUM ON YOUR OWN TERMS?
SEBASTIAN: we were in Miami with our co-producer, Carlos Lopez and decided to work on album, Double XX following a series of Christmas songs we recorded. I thought it was really important that we reinvent ourselves, that we excite ourselves, our audience, and create a space for people.
I remember presenting the band, Crazy (Gnarls Barley), and the guys thought it was crazy (haha)! It was the same with Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars too. I was trying to bring a newer repertoire. I think with this record we're making classical music more accessible to a younger audience and having Steven in our band as well, who is the baby at 36, definitely brings a youthful edge to Il Divo.
STEVEN, YOU'RE FIRMLY PART OF THE IL DIVO NOW, HOW DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE EVOLVED AS A GROUP?
STEVEN: the fact that we are more than ever in control of all the creative aspects of the group we feel more than ever as a unit. And we all know that we want to make all of this as good as we possibly can. We feel more than ever that this is something very special that we've been given.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE UK CITY TO VISIT AND WHY? DO YOU FIND UK FANS TO BE DIFFERENT FROM FANS IN OTHER COUNTRIES?
DAVID: Well, I have difficulty answering that question because 20 years ago, when we first started the band, we all moved to the UK to basically set up shop with Simon Cowell at the helm.
For the two and a half years of our career together as Il Divo, we were in London getting to know each other as people and it was so much fun. It gave us an opportunity to have these bonding experiences and visit all these amazing towns and cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Blackpool, Southend-on-Sea, etc. The UK in my heart is synonymous with the inception of Il Divo.
SEBASTIAN: One of my favourite places in the UK is Bath, it's just beautiful. There's just such brilliant countryside in the UK that are, when the weather is nice, incomparable to anywhere in the world.
And what I love also is seeing our fans. They feel to me like an extended family.
STEVEN: It was actually the very first time for me in the UK on tour December 2022. London is such a beautiful city. I was so taken aback by everything about it.
Plus, there’s a lot of really well-known songs on the new album like Perfect by Ed Sheeran that I'm excited to perform in the UK because it’s by a UK artist. I think everyone's going to love out interpretation.
HOW DID YOU HOW DID YOU FIND THE INSPIRATION TO REINTERPRET PERFECT INTO YOUR STYLE?
URS: The melody is fantastic. We really love the song. I think you have to keep what’s appropriate and do what's best for the song but also try cutting ourselves loose and make it our own.
HOW WAS THE WRITING PROCESS FOR ORIGINAL TRACK ‘DESPERTAR SIN TI’?
DAVID: Il Divo had become super well known for interpreting songs that people are hyper familiar with and on this new album not only does it celebrate 20 years, but it also looks forward to the next 20 years.
Sebastian has been really trying to champion the idea of getting an original Il Divo track on the album, something written by us for us. He is a songwriter and has written loads of songs with a lot of other people. I have composition training from my conservatory days and our coproducer, Carlos Lopez is also classically trained. So, this kind of trifecta of the three of us created this kind of compositional balance. We were literally working on it all the way up until the day it was recorded. That whole process honestly was a lot of fun.
XX HAS SUCH AN ECLECTIC MIX OF TRACKS, HOW DID THE TRACK LISTING COME ABOUT?
SEBASTIAN: It's funny, we play this game called the perfume game were each of us had around 30 songs that we put in a short list. We listened to those and then within 20 seconds, we had to say yes or no.
I feel there were, for me on my end, a couple of songs that I really felt strong about, that could have made this album but see what the future brings.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOURSELF WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED?
URS: I would say relax and just enjoy the ride. When you start in this pop business, you never know how long you're going last. Nobody had a long-time vision for this, not even Simon Cowell.
Simon told me once in the beginning, if I start something like that, I expect five to seven years. So every year, I was worried that would be the last album I would be recording with Il Divo. After about 10 years, I think I kind of started to have a bit more faith.
IL DIVO DID A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO CARLOS ON THE LAST TOUR IN 2022. HOW WOULD YOU CONTINUE TO HONOUR HIM GOING FORWARDS AS TIME MARCHES ON?
SEBASTIAN: it's going be difficult but I feel the best way to honour Carlos is to carry on what we've been doing for the last 20 years by going on stage, having fun every night, making the best music to say thank you to him and continue his legacy.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR IL DIVO?
STEVEN: we have been so focused in the last year on this new album and that has in turn now put the spotlight on the tour. what I love about these guys is that there's an endless supply of creativity and ideas.
I feel like the sky's the limit.