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Biography
Born the daughter of Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis and film producer and director Robin Bextor, Sophie’s earliest live performance came with the children's, “W11 Opera”, when she was 13. Ellis-Bextor subsequently made forays into indie music in 1997 by becoming Theaudience’s lead vocalist. Following the release of a debut, self-titled album, which spawned the singles “I Got the Wherewithal”, “If You Can’t Do It When You’re Young; When Can You Do It?”, and the No. 25 charting “I Know Enough (I Don’t Get Enough)”, the band were dropped by Mercury Records and Ellis-Bextor went solo.
Before releasing any original material, in 2000 the singer contributed vocals to the DJ Spiller instrumental track “Groovejet”, which subsequently topped the UK Singles Chart and earned regular rotation in clubs across the UK. A year later Ellis-Bextor issued her debut solo album “Read My Lips”. Rising to No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, the record produced four Top 20 singles: Cher’s “Take Me Home”, the No. 2 “Murder on the Dancefloor”, “Get Over You / Move This Mountain”, and “Music Gets the Best of Me”. The record turned the singer into a national household name, however she also enjoyed success internationally with the album selling 2 million worldwide.
Following a supporting tour of the UK and Europe, Ellis-Bextor returned in 2003 to release her sophomore full-length “Shoot from the Hip”. Two tracks from the album were released as singles, “Mixed Up World” and “I Won’t Change You”, with the third and fourth being scrapped due to the singer giving birth to her first child. Debuting at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart, Ellis-Bextor’s third studio album “Trip the Light Fantastic” was issued in May 2007. The disco-pop record, produced by Greg Kurstin, earned rave reviews and featured the likes of Fred Schneider, Richard Barone, Shelly Poole, and Cathy Dennis. In support of the record the singer toured opening for Geoge Michael and Take That, however had to cancel her own headlining tour.
In October 2008 Ellis-Bextor recorded a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”, which appeared on the soundtrack for the BBC2 sitcom “Beautiful People”. After which the singer contributed vocals to French DJ Junior Caldera’s track “Can’t Fight This Feeling” that later peaked in the French Top 20, and appeared on the Freemasons single “Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)”. In June 2011 Eliis-Bextor issued her fourth full-length “Make a Scene”, which was marked by more dance elements and influences than previous albums. Featuring collaborations with Calvin Harris, Richard X, Armin van Buuren, and Metronomy, the album was led by the single “Bittersweet”, and peaked at No. 33 on the UK Albums Chart.
Upon the announcement of a fifth studio album in May 2011, Ellis-Bextor began touring again, playing dates in Australia and Jakarta. Led by the single “Young Blood”, the album “Wanderlust” was released in January 2014, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart. Representing her most ambitious album to date, “Wanderlust” incorporated folk, baroque and chamber pop elements and spawned the subsequent singles “Runaway Daydreamer” and “Love Is a Camera”.
Live reviews
Oozing confidence – presumably bolstered since placing fourth on Strictly Come Dancing and the reception to well-received recent LP, Wanderlust - Sophie Ellis-Bextor is the success story you never saw coming. After wowing the charts and general public with pop gems in the early/mid 2000s, she faded into a befuddling obscurity; she never stopped dropping sounds, but the spotlight had dimmed. However, now in 2014, she's riding a resurgence, with mammoth sets at festivals across Europe (Glastonbury and T In The Park to name but a few).
Obviously, there are her vintage hits like the ubiquitous neo-disco belter “Murder On The Dancefloor”, and her guest spot with Spiller on “Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)”, but the London-born singer-songwriter also covers Moloko's “Sing It Back”, Cher's “Take Me Home”, Modjo's “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” and Freemasons' “Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)” pretty regularly during live shows. That's not to say her sets are a medley of ageing pop numbers; she whips cuts from her back catalogue out for the most part, and her folk/ballad-centric recent material goes down especially well. Performing with live strings, blazing lights, and live funk strummers, she proves that she's still able to impress and deliver a ridiculously entertaining show.
larryday
Imagine how surprised and overjoyed I was to hear that Sophie Ellis Bextor was headed back to Norwich after 7 years, then imagine how much more delighted I was to realise that she was headed to such an intimate venue as the Waterfront! My wife kindly got us tickets and I have to say it is one of the best presents she has ever got me.
Live strings on stage, great costumes, glitter, this gig had the lot. Obviously being a gig to promote her new album Wanderlust the first half of the gig was devoted to showcasing her new material, but it was after the interval that it really came to life with Sophie and her band playing a medley of disco classics (both her own and other club classics). The energy levels were through the roof and the sweat was pouring from the audience as well as the performers. The stage show finished with my favourite track Murder on the Dance Floor, but still there was more with a special fully acoustic number which is no mean feat in a club of excitable fans! Sophie further cemented her status as my number 3 girl (behind my wife and daughter) by staying to sign autographs after and taking the time to speak to fans individually and posing for photos. Top, top night!
rhosoftherovers
Personally I think it is refreshing for an artist who achieved commercial success during the beginning of their career to further adapt and change their sound in order to react to the musical marketplace. So many performers nowadays rest on the laurels of the hits they achieved decades ago and feel no need to create anything you could consider new. This is not true of London singer/songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
The electro artist turned baroque pop singer is a shining example of the ability to develop as a performer. Her live show is now a showcase of new whimsical tracks lifted from latest album 'Wanderlust' along with the old classic singles from the disco revival of the early 00s. She guides the audience through the narratives of 'Love is A Camera' and '13 Little Dolls' before a quick costume change and a second act of sorts begins. This is all about the dance as the lights dim and she launches into 'Take Me Home' 'Sing It Back' and of course 'Murder on the Dancefloor'. Sophie is a perfectly versatile performer with a whole career still ahead of her.
sean-ward
A fantastic Show.
Sophie Ellis Bextor was amazing. With a full Orchestra behind all her, her songs were transformed into magical drama. With Songs like 'Take me home' and 'Murder on the dance floor' I found myself disco dancing and squealing with delight.
The whole auditorium was rocking. Sophie had us all in the palm of her hand. One of the best evening of my year!
if you can get a ticket....GO!
louise-constad
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