Alfie will arrive in the city just after releasing a new studio album that draws on his Northern roots
Alfie Boe who is appearing at Hull City Hall in April 2026(Image: Ray Burmiston)
After two decades as the nation’s most beloved tenor, Alfie Boe has announced his most radical creative transformation to date – the release of his first-ever album of predominantly original material. Face Myself, spearheaded by the poignant first single, Meanwhile Gardens, just released, moves away from the orchestral grandeur and “Opera Dude” persona that has defined a record-breaking career.
On this occasion he returns to his Northern heritage to deliver a raw, cinematic collection that prioritises “the man underneath” over the character on stage. The album is set for release on Friday, April 10, two weeks before the singer is to appear on the Hull City Hall stage, on Friday, April 24.
The project represents the culmination of a 20-year secret ambition. Recalling his love of the indie explosion of his youth – from The Stone Roses to The Charlatans – and mentored by rock legend Pete Townshend, Boe has traded show tunes for “raw, earthy, and real” storytelling. Alfie said: “This is an album for the listeners – to celebrate themselves and be proud of who they are. It’s not about me, it’s about them.”
Excited to be heading out on his UK tour, the dates promise a night of music and memories, celebrating the very best of his incredible journey so far along with new music. Alfie said: “I thought, ‘what is it about me that I have to face?’. For me, it was a number of moments in the past – my childhood, my teenage years.
“What got me to where I am today, my personal life. And that reflects in other songs on the album.
“It’s been a really important lesson for me to face myself and realise who I am as an artist now and connect with that. I’m just writing from the heart and believing in what I’m saying and telling my story. Hopefully it can connect with other people and their memories and they can reflect on themselves too.”
The key to unlocking Alfie’s songwriting came from an unlikely mentor: rock legend Pete Townshend, who chose Alfie to star in the symphonic live tour of his classic rock opera Quadrophenia in 2017. The genius behind The Who offered advice: “Don’t try to rhyme… just write thoughts. Free writing.”
Alfie Boe has enjoyed an extraordinary career spanning stage, recording, and television. A hugely successful, multi-platinum selling artist, Alfie has released over a dozen studio albums, four of which have topped the UK charts.
His collaborations with Michael Ball – including the record-breaking albums Together, Together Again, and Back Together – have become some of the fastest-selling releases of the decade. Their tours have sold out arenas across the UK, delighting hundreds of thousands of fans.
The Tony Award winner has conquered the world’s greatest opera stages and arenas and led the cast of Les Misérables in his defining role as Jean Valjean. Most recently Alfie starred in the concert tour of Les Misérables in Australia as well as the Arena Spectacular tour across the UK.
Having appeared at some of the most respected venues and events worldwide, from Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the Royal Albert Hall, Alfie was also appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his outstanding services to music and charity. Alfie will be joined in Hull by special guest, singer-songwriter Jessica Sweetman, at the show that starts at 7pm.