A singer has shared his remarkable journey from shopping mall performances to TikTok stardom.
Elliot James Reay, a 23-year-old from Bury, Greater Manchester, expresses his eagerness to share new music with his growing audience after achieving viral success on TikTok with his Elvis Presley-inspired sound.
Reay has amassed millions of followers and recently released his latest single, the northern soul track “Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin.”
His success has led to global performances, as he told BBC Radio Manchester. This includes a South East Asian tour and a memorable visit to Graceland after receiving an award in Memphis.
He described the trip to Elvis’s home as “humbling,” exceeding his expectations.
Following a busy period performing in Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, Reay is briefly back home before resuming his tour.
He recalls his early days, performing in shopping malls to surprisingly large crowds: “I was doing shopping malls and showing up and thousands of people were rocking up.”
His retro-inspired music resonates particularly well in South East Asia, where he notes a strong karaoke culture featuring music from the 1960s to the 1990s.
With touring as his top priority, Reay has UK gigs scheduled for July, followed by more international dates. He’s excited to release more music, stating: “I’ve got so many other songs that I’m itching to show everyone.”
He plans to express his gratitude to his fans, acknowledging their crucial role in his success.
Currently working on an album, his May release, “Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin,” was inspired by his partner’s Northern Soul enthusiast parents.
The song’s narrative centers on a playful misunderstanding about his whereabouts, referencing iconic soul singer Jackie Wilson.
While filming the music video, he tackled the challenging choreography, ultimately finding the experience rewarding.
Away from the stage, Reay finds relaxation in playing snooker, a pastime he enjoys for its calming effect.
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