Interview: West End star LUCIE JONES on upcoming solo concert at London Palladium
Photo credit: Michael Wharley
She made history on the fields of Glastonbury, now Lucie Jones is taking over the legendary London Palladium – and she’s doing it her way. We caught up with Lucie backstage at Les Miserables in the West End where she is currently playing Fantine to talk about her upcoming solo concert.
How does it feel to bring such a personal show to a stage as legendary as The London Palladium?
It's a huge honour to be doing a gig at the Palladium. Honestly, feels like the greatest privilege. I love what I do for a living, and I am lucky to be able to do concerts like this. Not only is this the biggest and most exciting one so far, but I’m carrying my daughter with me for the show too. Cannot believe my luck!
You’re blending musical theatre with covers and personal favourites. How did you decide which songs define you enough to include?
The gig is based on the ideas I had for my set at Glastonbury. Working on this set list for the Palladium has been an expansion of that - who am I right now? What songs have stayed with me over the years? What stories do I want to tell? It was a joy to put together.
You’re one of the West End’s most acclaimed performers. How is performing as Lucie at the Palladium different to performing as a character on stage?
That’s very kind, thank you! I love doing gigs as myself, getting to chat to an audience directly as Lucie is so lovely to do. Some of these ticket holders have been with me since auditioning for The X Factor in 2009, so I am extremely lucky to share with them after all these years.
Did performing at Glastonbury before this show change how you think about live connection with audiences?
Glastonbury was one of the most electrifying gigs I have ever done. I love the festival anyway - but taking musical theatre to the farm for the first time ever was honestly such a huge honour. I always gig in the same way - with heart, fun and respect. Glastonbury was no different!
This show promises raw, unexpected moments — what is the biggest artistic risk you’ve ever taken?
Recording a live album in one take at a sold-out Adelphi Theatre with a huge orchestra was pretty scary - and risky! But a risk absolutely worth taking. One of my most proud achievements.
To any of our Besties reading this interview, can you give us any clues about the surprise guests you might bring on stage?
I won’t tell you who they are, but I can tell you that none of them have ever guested with me before, and every single one of them are going to blow my socks off.
Lucie Jones performs at the London Palladium on 16 February, with further info here.
