The Young Voices choir raise the roof at O2 Arena

The YTL Arena team recently enjoyed an evening watching an 8,000-strong children’s choir perform a medley of songs at the O2 Arena, with special celebrity guests joining the children throughout. 

More than 8,000 school children sang alongside Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, The Shires and winner of The Voice 2018, Ruti.  
Young Voices have performed at The O2 every year since it opened in 2007 and were awarded the ‘Key to The O2’ in 2019 for reaching 21 performances at the iconic venue. The prestigious key has only been given to four other artists: Take That, One Direction, Prince, and Michael McIntyre. 

The children, aged 7-12, performed 12 songs, ranging from Broadway musical classics such as “Anything You Can Do” from “Annie Get Your Gun”, to pop hits including Bruno Mars’ “24 Carat Funk”. 

Ruti, winner of The Voice 2018, returned to Young Voices having performed in the choir as a young girl. She shared a heart-warming story from her time with Young Voices, singing in the stands and dreaming of a time when she would be performing on the main stage with iconic dance troupe, Urban Strides. Fast-forward to 2020, Ruti performed her new single “I Couldn’t Do This Without You” at the O2 Arena, with the same choir that first supported and nurtured her passion for singing. 

Young Voices has been giving children a platform to sing since 1997 when the choir was created by David Lewis. The aim was to introduce young people to a spectrum of music styles, developing their knowledge and interest in the subject, along with their confidence. David has since stepped down from his role as Director of Young Voices and has passed the baton over to his son, Ben Lewis, who continues to take the choir from strength to strength. 

Andrew Billingham, Managing Director of YTL Arena Bristol said that YTL would be honoured to one day host the Young Voices choir, giving children across the South West the opportunity to perform on our stage. 

“It is such an uplifting event and so brilliant to see young people finding their voice and celebrating their love for music. Having met the team at Young Voices and shown them our plans, they are keen to bring their show to Bristol and one day we hope that this will become a reality.” 
Ben is enthusiastic about expanding Young Voices to the South West, both as a music educator and a promoter:

“As a music promoter staging arena shows across the UK, there is a huge need for an arena in the South West and these plans demonstrate a vision for a venue which will be hugely welcomed by both the entertainment industry and the customers it serves.”

Young Voices will be celebrating their 25th anniversary next year, so make sure to check their website for details on when registration will open for YV2021.