When Canal St met Leona

Leona Lewis is back with a new album, I Am and a 2016 tour, coming to the Bridgewater Hall on February 24th.

Canal St Online caught up with the X Factor winner and international diva to find out a little of what’s in store.

How excited Leona are you to be back on tour ?

Really excited, it’s been a few years since I was last on the road for the last album

Do you suffer nerves ?

Yes, I still get nervous before every show but I see this as a good thing.

What can we expect from the show

I am really getting into the creative planning at the moment like how the stage looks. A lot of work has gone into what the audience feel, I want them to feel uplifted and moved. The new album is very upbeat and gospel.

Do you have any pre-show rituals ?

I listen to reggae, it chills and relaxes me, a bit of Bob Marley is good. We then form an energy circle, me and the band, and squeeze hands quickly travelling round the circle to get each other’s energy. It can be strange for people watching.

Where do you draw inspiration from ?

From different places, books, films, relationships, other people and artists. From everywhere really.

Do you enjoy playing Manchester ?

It can get rowdy in Manchester. I like it and it gives me energy. The crowd are inclined to singalong and get involved, it’s great.

The Bridgewater Hall is an intimate venue, how does that make you feel ?

These are the best gigs, the sound is contained as the hall is built for sound. I have done a lot of one offs at arenas and award shows and the sound bounces around everywhere. In smaller venues the sound surrounds the audience. I get to see everyone close up, that used to scare me but now I can connect with people.

How has I Am been received ?

So many more people have reached out to me, much more than the previous album. The songs are very personal and fans felt that and wrote to me to tell me how the songs have connected to them.

What are your favourite tracks  to perform ?

Everything on the I Am album is new and fresh. I have been performing my single,Thunder, a lot and it’s taken on it’s own life so I’m looking forward to that, we’ve changed it up a bit.

What is next for you after the tour ?

The tour is my main focus at the moment then I will be going back into the studio and collaborating with people.

For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.leonalewismusic.com

Bridgewater Hall

By Chris Park for Canal-St Online

Published: 10-Dec-2015: (3451)