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G4 (group)

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For other uses, see G4 (disambiguation).

G4
G4 Lineup 2004–2007 (from left to right, Matthew Stiff, Mike Christie, Ben Thapa, Jonathan Ansell)
G4 Lineup 2004–2007 (from left to right, Matthew Stiff, Mike Christie, Ben Thapa, Jonathan Ansell)
Background information
OriginGuildhall, London
Genres
Years active
  • 2004–2007
  • 2014–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Websitewww.g4official.com

G4 are a four-piece British vocal troupe who first came to prominence when they finished second in Series 1 of The X Factor in 2004, and are known for their operatic delivery of modern pop songs. Originally a barbershop quartet,[1] the members met at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from which the name G4, standing for "Guildhall 4", derives.

In 2007 the band disbanded, citing disagreements among the members,[2] but reunited in 2014 to celebrate their ten-year anniversary with a number of concerts nationwide, leading to a new album for Christmas 2015.

The group currently consists of original members tenor Jonathan Ansell and baritone Mike Christie, with Jai McDowall joining after Lewis Raines left in 2023, while Duncan Sandilands replaced former bass singer Nick Ashby in 2019, who had replaced original bass Matt Stiff in 2014.

History

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2004:The X Factor

[edit]

In 2004, shortly after Stiff replaced original bass Tom Lowe, G4 spontaneously applied to The X Factor with the intention of using the show to obtain a quote on posters for upcoming concerts and gain publicity – prior to this they performed as buskers during their free time at college to earn extra money and gain experience.[3][4] Although the band members originally took it in turns to sing lead, Simon Cowell – who had dismissed them as "fat buskers"[5][6] – suggested that Ansell be promoted to the group's frontman.[7][8] Mentored by Louis Walsh, they reached the final, and to date G4 remain one of only two classical-based acts to compete in the live shows, the other being Welsh baritone Rhydian – coincidentally, both placed second in Series 1 and 4 respectively, but outsold the eventual winners. Cowell, who had mentored Series 1 champion Steve Brookstein, later admitted that G4 were the real winners of the competition.[9][10][11][12][13]

Despite their success on the show, G4 later branded The X Factor as a pantomime due to staged conflict between the judges which overshadowed the contestants.[14] Bass singer Stiff also stated "Backstage Simon would say we were great, but then on camera say nothing. I don't think he wanted us to win and by choosing what he said on camera he knew he had the power to sway votes. He is the ringmaster".[15] In 2013, none of G4's singles appeared on The X Factor – Greatest Hits album,[16] despite their status at the time as one of the biggest-selling acts in the history of the show.[17]

X Factor performances

[edit]
[18] Stage Song Placement
Audition "Bohemian Rhapsody" –
Bootcamp Original song "Right Now", "I Swear", and "Danny Boy" –
Judges' houses "Creep" –
Week 1 "Everybody Hurts" Safe
Week 2 "Don't Look Back in Anger" Safe
Week 3 "...Baby One More Time" Safe
Week 4 "Circle of Life" Bottom Two
Week 5 "My Way" Safe
Quarter-Final "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Somebody to Love" Safe
Semi-Final "O Holy Night" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" Safe
Final "Nessun Dorma", "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Creep" Runners-up

2005: G4 and G4 and Friends

[edit]

After The X Factor, G4 signed a £1.5 million album deal with Sony BMG.[19] Having not been picked up by Cowell, Sony A&R Nick Raphael said that his label decided to pursue the band, stating: "We felt that they were the best act on the show."[20] With the rules of The X Factor allowing any non-winning band or artist to sign with anyone,[20] Sony competed with Universal and EMI for G4's signatures.[20] Raphael believed their mentor-turned-manager Walsh accepted Sony BMG's advances because the company had a plan of how to work with them as opposed to their competitors who merely had a desire to sign the band. In addition, Sony also had a definitive date to release any albums and merchandise, as well as organised structure to make their records.[20] During this time, Ansell, who had previously auditioned to be a member of Il Divo,[21] was offered the role of Prince Tamino in Kenneth Branagh's modern adaptation of The Magic Flute, but turned it down to remain with the band.[22]

The debut album, G4, was released on 28 February 2005, and contained mostly classical covers of popular pop songs, most of which had been performed on The X Factor like "Everybody Hurts",[23] with a few opera tunes such as "Nessun Dorma" and "Flower Duet". It reached #1 in time for Mother's Day weekend 2005,[24] and sold over 245,000 copies in the first week. Their debut single, "Bohemian Rhapsody", was released on 14 March 2005, and entered the charts at #9.[25] Following the success of G4, G4 embarked on a 25-day arena tour.[26]

G4 & Friends was released on 28 November 2005, and followed the same format as their first album, but also included collaborations with Lesley Garrett and Robin Gibb, both of whom were special guests during the group's UK tour. Their recording of "Miss You Nights" with original artist Cliff Richard was also featured on the latter's album Two's Company The Duets. G4 & Friends entered the charts at #6, and while not as successful as their first album, it was still certified platinum.[27] Their version of "When a Child is Born", also from the album, was originally in the running to become christmas number one for 2005,[28] but was disqualified due to the inclusion of free stickers in the CD case.

In 2005, G4 also launched both the Wonder Mum competition – posing for a photoshoot with each of their own mothers -[29] and the similarly named G Force ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park,[30][31] and presented a show on Classic FM which showcased their favourite pieces of classical music, along with their own recordings.[32]

2006: Act Three

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G4's third album Act Three was released on 27 November 2006. Being released in the same week as the third album by the similar band Il Divo, Act Three peaked at #21 in the UK charts with first week sales of 37,487. The album included a collaboration with Stephen Gately on the track "No Matter What", Gately having sung the lead on the original version of the song with his band Boyzone, and an orchestral arrangement of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy."[33] Act Three was the last album to feature Stiff's voice singing bass.

During this period, G4 traveled to the SOS Children's Villages in Ghana on behalf of Classic Response,[34] completed the London Marathon,[35][36] and made a special appearance at the 4th of July party at Winfield House where they sang "The Star-Spangled Banner". Towards the end of the year, embarked on a nationwide cathedral tour.[37]

2007: Disbandment

[edit]

On 5 April 2007, G4 announced on GMTV that they would be splitting after their national tour due to disagreements within the band, with Ansell pursuing a solo career. Tenor Thapa stated: "We did not want to drag on for another couple of years, growing increasingly resentful of each other. We are still friends and we want to stay friends but we won't if we carry on in G4". Ansell also confessed that the group found coping with fame difficult, and being popstars was not the band's lifelong aspiration.[38] They gave their final performance at Romsey on 28 July 2007 before splitting,[39][40] but briefly reunited when they all performed at Ansell's wedding to Quizmania presenter Debbie King in 2009.[41]

2014–2015: Reunion and G4 Christmas

[edit]

In November 2014, after announcing via Twitter that they would be reuniting, G4 performed at the Barbican Hall with support from Charlotte Jaconelli. Stiff declined, stating that he wished to focus solely on his opera career, but he was replaced by Nick Ashby, making him the third bass to sing with the group. Originally meant to be a one-night-only concert, G4 later confirmed on The Alan Titchmarsh Show that they would be touring the country in 2015.[42] Prior to this, the group's first official live performance was at the Leeds Christmas Lights Switch-On alongside former X Factor winner Sam Bailey.[43][44][45][46]

In June 2015, G4 announced that they would be releasing their fourth album G4 Christmas via PledgeMusic.[47] This was followed by "Christmas by Candlelight" Tour of eight dates around the UK in Cathedrals and Churches.[48]

2016: Back for Good Tour, G4 Love Songs and Christmas By Candlelight 2016

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On 6 September 2016, G4 announced a new PledgeMusic campaign to fund their fifth studio album G4 Love Songs[49] including appearances from Merrill Osmond and Lesley Garrett and the orchestration of the City Of Prague Symphony Orchestra.[50]

2017: Love Songs, Live in Concert Tour and Christmas By Candlelight

[edit]

On 3 February 2017, G4 released their fifth album, G4 Love Songs. The album launch was held at The Century Club in Soho London, with guest Merrill Osmond. Whilst promoting the album and staying overnight in Birmingham, Ansell and Christie were mugged while cutting through a park.[51]

2018

[edit]

On 19 July, low tenor Thapa announced on Twitter that he was leaving the group with immediate effect to concentrate on his opera career. G4 announced on social media after a nationwide search that Lewis Raines would be replacing Thapa.[52]

Since that announcement the King's Singers have posted that Nick Ashby would be joining them from 2019.[53]

Solo careers

[edit]

During the split, Ansell's solo album Tenor at the Movies reached number 1 on the classical chart, making him the youngest tenor to accomplish this feat.[54][55] In 2012 he was criticised for auditioning for Superstar after it was revealed he was still rehearsing for another musical.[56][57][58][59] Thapa worked with the National Chamber Choir in Dublin before moving back to London,[60][61] and was in the Scottish Opera's production of Kátya Kabanová.[41] Christie is now a classical composer, having written the opera The Miller's Wife which was shown at the Arcola Theatre in 2013,[62] and Stiff, who returned to Classic FM to present his self-titled music programme has performed in several operas, and has spoken of becoming a lecturer in future.[63][64][65][66]

Members

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Current

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Former

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Album details Chart peak positions Certifications
UK IRE
2005 G4[67] 1 4
  • UK: 2× Platinum[68]
G4 & Friends
  • Released: 28 November 2005
  • Genre: Popera
  • Label: Sony BMG
  • Format: CD, digital download
 6 —
2006 Act Three[69]
  • Released: 27 November 2006
  • Genre: Popera
  • Label: Sony BMG
  • Format: CD, digital download
 21 50
2015 G4 Christmas[70]
  • Released: 16 November 2015
  • Genre: Popera
  • Label: Amick Productions
  • Format: CD, digital download
 — —
2017 G4 Love Songs[71]
  • Released: 3 February 2017
  • Genre: Popera
  • Label: Amick Productions
  • Format: CD, digital download
 56 —

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Chart positions[72] Album
UK IRE
2005 "Bohemian Rhapsody"[73] 9 11 G4
"Life on Mars?" — —
"First of May"/"When a Child Is Born" — — G4 & Friends
2015 "One Day More" (featuring Charlotte Jaconelli & Rock Choir) — — Non-album single
2017 "All I Ask of You" (featuring Lesley Garrett) — — Non-album single
"Silent Night" — — Non-album single
"When a Child is Born" — — Non-album single

EPs

[edit]
Year Title
2005 Happy Mother's Day (The Mother's Day EP)

DVDs

[edit]
  • Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2005)
  • The Reunion – Live in Concert (2015)
  • Live in London – Union Chapel (2017)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Barbershop boys create popera era". The Scotsman. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  2. ^ Kevan, Paul (7 July 2012). "X Factor and G4 star Jonathan Ansell gives 'stunning' audition on Superstar –". Metro News. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  3. ^ "X Factor Exclusive: Mailfile: The Final 10". The Free Library. 24 October 2004.
  4. ^ Wyse, Pascal (16 December 2005). "We're Jammin'". The Guardian.
  5. ^ "Win Some, Lose Some; Simon Cowell Derided Them as 'Fat Buskers', but G4 Are Having the Last Laugh as a Gruelling Diet and Exercise Programme Puts Them on Track to Be Britain's Fittest Boy Band".[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Kiss & Tell: Killing Queen Killing Queen". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  7. ^ Pinch, Emma. "A life on the high Cs; Three years of success with an operatic boy band has left Jonathan Ansell with a taste for success". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  8. ^ "Sad farewell to classical boy band". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  9. ^ "X Factor Series 1". Sunday Express. 1 March 2007.
  10. ^ "Blond". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Where are they now? They all made it through boot camp to the live finals on telly.. but what has happened to the 57 singing wannabes from the past five years?". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Xtra NEC date for Factor fans". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  13. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (31 March 2009). "Rhydian: 'My fans won't desert me'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  14. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (25 November 2006). "G4 criticise 'X Factor's fake feuds". Digital Spy.
  15. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (25 November 2006). "G4 criticise 'X Factor's fake feuds". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  16. ^ Deen, Sarah (18 October 2013). "Steve Brookstein says he is 'amused' at being left off The X Factor – Greatest Hits album". Metro News. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  17. ^ Westbrook, Caroline (22 August 2013). "Leona Lewis tops list of biggest-selling X Factor artists in UK". Metro News. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  18. ^ G4 Our Way. London: Virgin Books LTD. 2005. p. 128.
  19. ^ "G4 Seal a Big Deal". The Daily Mirror. 15 January 2005.
  20. ^ a b c d "Interview With Nick Raphael". HitQuarters. 25 May 2005.
  21. ^ "X-TRA SPECIAL; Kate Mansey meets the boy band with the manners of gentlemen. It's so strange to be finally famous". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  22. ^ "The Razz: I want to be a G-Force;; Pop hunk turns down Kenneth Branagh movie to stay with boy band". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  23. ^ "The Razz: Can You Lend Us A Tenor? £2.4m deal but G4 boys are still skint". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  24. ^ "The Razz: Rap goes pop". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  25. ^ "The Razz: Cheesy dance tunes sets Scottish chart apart". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  26. ^ "'Bit of a laugh' ended in chart success". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  27. ^ "What's On: Music: G-whizz, what a rapid rise to top". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  28. ^ "The Razz: Jacko & Westlife; Boss's plea to get star on new album". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  29. ^ "Mum Sharon is a Wonder Woman". Burton Mail. Retrieved 20 April 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  30. ^ "G4 test the G Force ride". Manchest Evening News. 26 July 2005. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  31. ^ "G4 go for the thrill of the ride". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  32. ^ "Band on the radio". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  33. ^ "Gnarls Barkley, The Odd Couple". The Free Library.
  34. ^ "Classic Response". SOS Childrens Villages.org.uk. 31 March 2006. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  35. ^ "Jade Fades; Exclusive. 'Unfit' star drops out of marathon". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  36. ^ "Fantastic 4". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  37. ^ "G4's carol concert has the X-factor". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  38. ^ "'Jedward Will Feel Under Pressure' Ansell: The X Factor twins facing a hard time". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  39. ^ "Classical band G4 announce split". BBC News. 6 April 2007.
  40. ^ "G4 splitting over 'boiling frustrations'". Evening Standard. 5 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
  41. ^ a b McQueen, Craig (5 September 2009). "Former G4 star Ben Thapa on the band's one-night-only reunion". The Daily Record. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  42. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (18 November 2014). "G4 10 Year Anniversary Reunion, Barbican live review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  43. ^ "Leeds Christmas Lights Switch-On Hits The Heights". Yorkshire Times. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  44. ^ "X Factor winner Sam Bailey to light up Leeds". Morley Observer. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  45. ^ "G4 10th Anniversary Reunion One Night Only". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  46. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (1 July 2014). "G4 announce 10-year anniversary show". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  47. ^ "G4". Pledge Music. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  48. ^ "G4 to hit the high notes at St Paul's Church in Birmingham". Tamworth Herald. Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  49. ^ "G4 Love Songs Pledge campaign". Pledge Music. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  50. ^ "G4 Interviewed". Iceni Magazine. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  51. ^ "G4 singers Mike Christie and Jonathan Ansell 'very shaken' after Birmingham assault". Birmingham Metro. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  52. ^ "After 15 years". 26 June 2017.
  53. ^ "Two New Members King's Singers". 4 January 2019.
  54. ^ "Ansell: The Man of the moment; Scary role for former X-Factor contestant". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  55. ^ "Whistling his way to stage success". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  56. ^ "Superstar reject Jonathan Ansell finds life is far from tweet after show". STV Shows. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  57. ^ "Even Jesus can't save struggling Superstar". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  58. ^ Kevan, Paul (8 July 2012). "Jonathan Ansell's Superstar dream is over as he is eliminated from show". Metro News. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  59. ^ Kevan, Paul (9 July 2012). "Jonathan Ansell subjected to Twitter abuse after Superstar audition". Metro News. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  60. ^ "Ben Thapa – Live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire". BBC Cambridgeshire. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  61. ^ "Talent show tenor Ben Thapa is all heart". Teesside Gazette. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  62. ^ "G4's Mike Christie on writing his first opera". Classic FM. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  63. ^ Plunkett, John (13 February 2008). "Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Alex James join revamped Classic FM line-up". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  64. ^ "Ex-G4 star hits the right notes". Grimsby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  65. ^ "Matthew is back in in town with Faure". The Free Library. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  66. ^ "Welcome to the G4 summit". Manchester Evening News. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  67. ^ "G4 – G4 – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  68. ^ a b c "Matt Cardle interview: 'I don't want next album to be overproduced'". Digital Spy. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2012.
  69. ^ "G4 – Act Three – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  70. ^ "G4 – G4 Christmas – Music Charts". Amick Productions. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  71. ^ "G4 – G4 Love Songs – Music Charts". Amick Productions. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  72. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Reuters. 29 December 2007. Archived from the original on 1 January 2008.
  73. ^ "G4 – Bohemian Rhapsody – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
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