Alistair’s tour kicks off at the Arc

12:59pm Thursday 8th May 2008

ALISTAIR Griffin is set to lose his nickname "that bloke from Fame Academy" as he hits the road for a national tour supporting up and coming band, Ivyrise.

The series of gigs will be the first since the Yorkshire musician took to the road with BeeGees' legend Robin Gibb and marks the beginning of a new musical era. "It's time to move on" says Griffin, who has spent the last five years establishing himself as an international songwriter.

In a typically eventful 18 months, Griffin has been active both here and abroad, juggling work on a new album with demands for his songwriting talent elsewhere. His song, Angel By My Side, already a hit in Europe, is currently on hold for Beyonce, and his top five single, Bring It On, has been selected for use in Canon Camera's advertising campaign across Asia.

"Writing wise, it's been an exciting time", he says. "I've just had another song picked up by a major act, but until it's signed and sealed I can't reveal anything"

Behind the scenes, there is talk of developing a comedy show with the BBC, but despite admitting there's been a lot of interest, Griffin is cagey about the details, citing it "early days".

Some things are certain: after a hectic few years, the Castleton-born singer is about to open a new recording studio in York, and the new direction of his second album is attracting the attention of record companies once again. "Its great to be firing on so many fronts,"

says Griffin, who picked up a new following after his latest song, Naked, scored a quarter of a million hits on the internet site Youtube.

The Ivyrise tour will give fans the opportunity to catch new material in larger venues, the fruits of exploring fresh sounds and writing new tracks on returning to the North.

■ The popstar's return to the road opens with a showpiece gig at The Arc in Stockton on May 17.

Tickets: 0870-264-3333 or online at seetickets.com Check out Griffin's new material at www.myspace.com/alistairgriffinonline Ivyrise at www.myspace.com/ivyrise

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