22-year-old newcomer Oli Fox was hand-picked to support pop superstar Sigrid across the UK and Europe this month.
He’s just got back, and filled us in on what went down – from outfit choices and massive crowds, to hanging out with his new Norwegian pal.
1. This jacket was for my first show in Birmingham, where I knew my brother was coming to watch. He plays as a professional football player for Sheffield Wednesday, and his shirt is #6, so it gave him a nice surprise and also made me feel like I was going on to my own pitch to show what I’m made of.
2. My band consists of Alex Stockley on keys (right) and Slim Gabriel (left). They’ve both become really close friends of mine across the tour, and they’re absolutely AMAZING at what they do. This was a nice little candid shot from one of our pre-show rituals, where once we’ve had our team talk we’ll all say awkwardly different things when we throw our hands in the air, since the first time we did it, it went horribly wrong, so we all decided to keep it that way!
3. Being on tour with an artist like Sigrid has been such a beautiful learning curve. She’s a real inspiration even though we’re the same sort of age. She’s a professional who knows how to blow away crowds with immense energy, but at the same time rest and keep herself show-ready during all the downtime you get on tour – I’m a big fan of that. Her fans have been so incredible as well – I’m always so surprised at how many people have been willing to come early to watch me before she comes on. It’s been overwhelming
4. If you can’t tell already by the giddy expression on my face, I had just sound checked at Brixton Academy! A massive moment; I had watched countless acts play there, and to finally step on the stage myself it felt magical. I honestly couldn’t stop smiling the whole evening. And most of the following day.
5. This is my wonderful guitar ‘Rose’ that my nan and grandad bought for me on my 18th birthday. I named her after my nan who sadly isn’t with us any more. I’m always pleased with that decision because every time I pick her up, it feels like she’s with me in that moment. It’s a very special talisman for me.
6. This picture is a milestone. It’s taken me a while to figure out my route to a stage like this. It’s genuinely a dream I’ve played over and again in my head since I was 16. I knew it was big, but when I saw it from this angle, packed to the rafters, I remember thinking ‘how have I got here?’. The rest is a bit of a blur and is still sinking in, to be honest. Hopefully, I’ll be able to play my own show there one day.
