‘Two years ago, I was singing Elvis Presley in a pub. Now I’m on one of the biggest stages in the world singing my own songs’
Bury singer Elliot James Reay is supporting Benson Boone on his US and UK tour(Image: @okaynicolita)
A musician from Bury has been supporting a major singer on their US and UK tour recently – and the next stop on the road is Manchester this weekend for what is set to be two special homecoming shows for the local performer.
Since August, 23-year-old Elliot James Reay has been supporting Benson Boone on his American Heart world tour, which has so far included 19 shows across the US, Canada and Ireland.
On Sunday and Monday (October 26 and 27), Benson, who is known for songs including Beautiful Things and Mystical Magical, will play at Manchester’s Co-op Live. Marking Benson’s first UK arena tour, the shows also mark the largest gigs to date for Elliot, and also his first time ever supporting another artist.
“My last show in Manchester was at Gorilla and now I’m playing at the Co-op Live,” Elliot tells the Manchester Evening News. “I can’t really believe it.
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Elliot James Reay performing at The Great Escape festival earlier this year(Image: Lorne Thomson/Redferns)
“I remember seeing Benson at Co-op Live last year for the MTV Awards and then, what feels like all of a sudden, we’re both back here for a gig together. It’s insane.”
Reay first attracted attention by busking in Bury town centre as a teenager. He later went viral online, earning millions of social media followers by sharing videos of himself covering 1950s and 1960s classics.
“I was often busking at Bury Market and the older generation wanted to hear some of the classic songs from the likes of Elvis and Roy Orbison, so that’s basically what I played,” he recalls. “As I grew up, my voice changed and it just really lent itself to that kind of music and it was what I enjoyed playing.”
Elliot made a name for himself busking in his hometown of Bury
So, how did the kid from Bury manage to get the job supporting the superstar from Washington? Having gained a big following online, Elliot signed to a major label last year and released his debut EP, All This to Say I Love You, over the summer, which coincided with a sold-out UK tour. Word of his success got back to Benson’s team.
“We have a few mutual connections and he said he had listened to my music, and he liked it,” Elliot explains. “That’s kind of where it all started from really, we hung out a couple of times and then here we are.
“I remember the first time meeting him on the tour and we were in Saint Paul and he was doing his soundcheck. It was a very wholesome moment but he took the time to say hello to me and to introduce himself, even though it was his soundcheck! I wasn’t expecting anything like that, so it was really nice of him to do.”
Elliot said he ‘can’t believe’ he gets to support Benson Boone on tour(Image: @okaynicolita)
And speaking about how the US audiences have responded to his flair of Northern Soul, Elliot says he feels his set went down really well. “My music is quite different from Benson’s so I’d often see the surprised reaction from people at first,” he laughs.
“But I think America has been a really great audience to be in front of. It’s already taught me so much about how shows of this scale operate and the amount of work that goes into them.”
It’s not just the performances that Elliot has learnt from either. He says he has gained some valuable insight on being an artist from the headline act himself.
“Obviously, getting to see Benson do his thing every night has just been really inspirational,” he says. “He’s actually taught me to open up and allow people to see who I am. He’s helped me understand that there’s a lot of things in my life that I have often shut out because I was embarrassed.
Benson Boone is performing at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Sunday and Monday(Image: Getty Images)
“There were things that I felt didn’t go with my image, and seeing him just being completely himself and taking it all in his stride has allowed me to realise that I can do that too.
“For example, we’ve played Frisbee a few times together backstage. It’s something I would have probably never even dreamt of doing if it was my show. But him doing that allowed me to unwind and have some fun.”
Asked what Manchester fans are in for when it comes to a Benson Boone show, Elliot says that the 20,000-strong crowd on both nights should buckle up and get ready.
‘Two years ago, I was singing Elvis Presley in a pub. Now I’m on one of the biggest stages in the world singing my own songs’(Image: @okaynicolita)
“He’s a very authentic performer,” Elliot insists. “That’s what makes him so captivating. Just watching him 19 nights in a row makes me understand that it’s not tiring for him because he’s trying to be someone else, it’s tiring for him because he is giving his absolute all into each performance.
“He’s just such a great role model and he’s very good at showing you how to hold yourself, and how to get the best out of yourself. I’m loving every moment of being on tour with him.”
And in terms of his own performance, Elliot says there may be some switching around of the set to cater to his hometown crowd, but he’s keeping things secret so far. One thing’s for sure, he will have a lot of people rooting him on.
Elliot released his debut EP earlier this year
“I’ve got a lot of people coming in,” he laughs. “Lots of friends and family have been asking me to get them in and I’m having to be like, look, it’s Benson Boone. He’s a big name. I don’t have unlimited tickets – there’s none going spare!
“Two years ago, I was singing Elvis Presley in a pub. Now I’m on one of the biggest stages in the world singing my own songs. It’s a lot to take in, I’m still trying to figure it out.
“The ultimate goal is to come back and have my own tour here again. I just want to keep performing. I love it so much.”
Benson Boone plays Co-op Live on Sunday (October 26) and Monday (October 27), with support from Elliot James Reay. You can follow Elliot on Instagram.
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