We talk Christmas socks, voice preservation and 2am ramblings
By Tom OxtobyNovember 11, 2021
If you see Rag’n’Bone Man about town before his gig at Coca-Cola Arena, do not speak to him.
The modern-day blues legend has one of the most distinctive voices on the scene, and that means extra levels of precaution come show time.
He told Time Out: “On runs of four gigs in a row, it’s really important when you get off stage to just shut up.
“Also not talking too much during the daytime, because you can wear your voice out from talking. If you are up late, talking loads, your voice is going to be worn out the next day.”
The English singer-songwriter, famed for hits such as Human, Skin, Grace, Giant, Anywhere Away From Here, All You Ever Wanted and more, is in town on Friday November 26.
And while the above probably rules him out of any pre-show brunches, he says he can’t wait to fizz into Coca-Cola Arena having helped reboot the live music scene in the UK over the past few months.
He said: “I missed being on stage and performing, but I really missed seeing people. Not just my band and stuff but seeing people in front of me in one place together. It’s been beautiful and it is beautiful so I’m very thankful for that.”
Rag’n’Bone Man’s repertoire stretches from blow-the-doors-off anthems to intimate, stirring tracks.
So what can fans expect on his return to Dubai?
He said: “We like to take people on a bit of a journey musically. We’re really well-rehearsed as a band. For us it’s always been about music so there isn’t a big production to this show, there’s nothing like crazy but it is all about the music.
“I think we’ve got this showdown to a point where it takes everyone on a journey between all different styles of music. People have been loving it so far, so hopefully, it will go down well there.”
By the time the mic has been dropped on his Dubai performance, Christmas will well and truly be upon us.
For Rag’n’Bone Man, real name Rory Graham, the countdown is already underway.
“We’ve got a house full of kids and we’ve already watched two or three Christmas films. It may not be acceptable to everyone else but I don’t care, I love Christmas. We’ve watched a couple of classics, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street.”
So what does the singer have on his wish list?
“To be honest, I’m not going to get mad about a decent pair of socks. I know people moan about socks, but I want a fresh pair on Christmas Day. I’ll have some musical Santa socks.”
The talented star also gave Time Out a window into his creative process, explaining that he prefers to attack his records all at once.
“The majority of the time the songs come from me rambling into a phone at about 2 am when I’ve got an idea.
“Then the next day I might get a guitar and work out how it sounds. Once it gets to a point where I feel I’ve got enough of a song to go into the studio, I will go in to work out the finer details.
“Most of my songs live in a demo format, with guitar or vocals recorded on a phone, and then we’ll get all the songs into the studio and do them all at the same time with live musicians.”
Buckle up for a show that’ll blow your (Christmas) socks off.