ShareAlfie Boe performing his Facing Myself Tour at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Tuesday 21st April 2026.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Alfie Boe, an English tenor best known for his acclaimed performance as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and for his hit albums and tours with Michael Ball, was at the Royal Concert Hall on Tuesday night to showcase his latest album Facing Myself.
His special guest was Birmingham bred Jessica Sweetman who filled the venue with her soaring vocals that set the tone for the evening. Having collaborated and dueted with Boe on the emotionally charged Broken Perfect Love, she delivered that song with its deeply human lyrics which brought goose bumps to the arms of this appreciative crowd.
Ditching his tuxedo he appeared on stage wearing casual clothes, so it was a very laid back affair with even the back drop comprising the emptied equipment cases turned on their sides. Boe’s set list contained some of his hits, songs from the theatre and from his latest album, as he opened with the fast paced Italian Chitarra Marechiare and Chitarra Romona which showcased his fabulous voice.
A mash up of Lonnie Donegan’s Don’t You Rock Me Daddy-O and Rock Island Live got the crowd on their feet where they stayed for Roger Miller’s King Of The Road. Mid set came the song that Boe’s fans expect and he did not disappoint as the venue was silenced for Bring Him Home that elicited raucous applause.
Other highlights included a rendition of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game and a wonderful soulful version of Noel Gallagher’s Trying To Find A World That’s Been And Gone and brought out the loneliness of the lyrics.
New songs such as Avignon, Face Myself and his latest single Meanwhile Gardens had the crowd mesmerised as did a rousing cover of an extended version of Snow Patrol’s Run which was a real treat.
It’s easy to understand Boe’s popularity. He has a great voice which is powerful and resonant. His self deprecating humour allows him to build great rapport with the crowd with an affable mixture of charm and cheek that makes him one of the UK’s greatest entertainers.
