Michael Ball has had to assure fans he really is performing at a village cricket club – and not a tribute act.
The singer, 61, is set to perform his only summer gig at Almondbury Wesleyan Cricket Club in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in June but after years of becoming known for headlining concerts at prestigious venues and leading a string of West End shows, some fans believed that it would just be a tribute act.
Michael told the BBC: ‘It’s the first time the cricket club has done something like this so it’s good to break new ground and will be a really nice experience so I thought ‘why not’.
‘It sounds like I may be trailblazing here. I love open air shows and this really appealed to me.
‘It’ll be relaxed and informal, a great way to spend a summer’s afternoon.
Michael Ball has had to assure fans he really is performing at a village cricket club – and not a tribute act
The singer, 61, is set to perform his only summer gig at Almondbury Wesleyan Cricket Club in Huddersfield, West Yorks., in June
‘I love Yorkshire, it’s a beautiful place and the audiences are always up for a great time.’ It is actually me coming up. I heard people thought it was going to be a tribute act.’
Almondbury has a population of just 20,000 but a large crowd is expected to descend upon the village for the gig
Organiser and cricket club committee member Mark Binns said: ‘It’s a very rare chance for Michael Ball fans to see him close up and personal in such an informal setting.
‘We are getting interest from all over the country as it’s such a one-off.
‘If you look on Michael’s website under his Live section there’s just one this summer * and that’s us.
‘I think that’s why the tickets have been selling so fast but people can still get hold of them if they act quickly.’
Gates will open at 1.30pm and the concert will start at 3.30pm and will end at 6.30pm.
Organiser and cricket club committee member Mark Binns said: ‘It’s a very rare chance for Michael Ball fans to see him close up and personal in such an informal setting.’
Michael has become known for starring in West End musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (pictured in 2004)
He starred as Marius in the original London production of Les Miserables in 1985 (pictured alongside Frances Ruffelle as Eponine)
Michael – who made his name starring in West End musicals like Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera – was recently asked what he has learned since hitting his milestone birthday two years ago.
He admitted that he now feels he has a ‘wisdom’ about life that he is happy to share with others.
He told Woman’s Weekly magazine: ‘The good side is that I care less about what people think of me.
‘You feel that you have a wisdom and experience that is really useful to share.”
