JLS reveal touring secrets after ‘overwhelming response’ to comeback

JLS have revealed details of their touring habits as they prepare to get back on the road together for the first time in seven years.

The band, who split in 2013, five years after finding fame on X Factor, announced details of their comeback earlier in February.

Speaking to Sky News on the red carpet at this year’s Brit Awards, the group – Aston Merrygold, Oritse Williams, Marvin Humes and JB Gill – told of their excitement at reuniting and seeing the reaction from fans.

“It’s been incredible, it’s been such an overwhelming response,” said Gill. “We honestly couldn’t believe it, it’s been such a great reception – from the industry, from fans.

“It’s been totally humbling, to be honest, and we’re so excited for our coming tour, getting out to see everybody, and just seeing where this amazing journey takes us.”

JLS had hits with singles including Beat Again, Everybody In Love and Eyes Wide Shut after being named runners-up on X Factor, coming second to Alexandra Burke.

They went on to have five UK number ones and won the awards for best British breakthrough act and best single, for Beat Again, at the Brits in 2010, as well as several MOBO awards.

Humes jokes that they have been considering their comeback “since the day we broke up”, adding seriously that conversations had been happening for about four years.

Last year, however, Williams told how he went through a “horrific” experience when he was accused of rape, which he was unanimously acquitted of by jurors in May 2019.

At the time, Humes said Williams had been through “three years of hell”.

At the Brits on Tuesday evening, Humes said: “About four years ago we started conversations but they got serious last year.

“It took a while because everyone’s doing their own thing individually, but all that matters is we’re here now… and we’re back at the Brits. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

The upcoming Beat Again tour will include a string of dates in November and December – but will there also be new music to go with it?

“We’re committed to the cause,” says Merrygold. “We want to bring new music to the table, I think that’s what we’ve all said, openly. If the fans want it, who are we to deny it?”

:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Williams says he is happy “just being back with my brothers” and “just having that good, beautiful energy”.

Finally, as they prepare to head out on tour together for the first time in seven years, who has the worst habits?

“Jonathon (JB) was the grumpy one in the mornings,” says Merrygold. “That’s the only thing, otherwise we do actually love being on tour, it’s probably the biggest perk of the job.”

Pointing to Gill, he continues: “But this man right here, we’ve been on tour and he’s slept for over 24 hours. He’s done that and if he gets anything less – crappy JB.”

JLS Beat Again tour tickets go on sale on Friday 21 February.

(c) Sky News 2020: JLS reveal touring secrets after ‘overwhelming response’ to comeback