Ahead of the new Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black arriving in cinemas, the search is on to find out which of her songs is the UK’s favourite.
The film – which is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson – is set to arrive on April 12, and will follow the life of the late singer. It stars Marisa Abela (Industry) as Winehouse and charts the iconic singer’s vibrant years living in London, as well as her intense rise to fame.
Now, just days before it makes its way into cinemas, a nationwide search has been launched to uncover which of the singer’s tracks is the most-loved in the UK.
Commencing last Friday (April 5) and running until tomorrow (April 10), a giant Back To Black touring installation has been making its way across Manchester, Glasgow and London. With it, the public are invited to place a vote for their favourite Amy Winehouse song.
Fans from across the UK and Ireland can either vote online here, or can decorate the touring installation using a sticker inscribed with their favourite iconic song.
It gives visitors the choice to share their most loved track from her discography, including classics ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’, ‘Stronger Than Me’, ‘Love Is A Losing Game’ and ‘Rehab’.
As well as the installation, a pop-up listening booth will also be featured, so that fans can listen again to her most treasured and celebrated songs before deciding how to cast their vote.
Voting opened online at 11am on Friday (April 5) and will close at midnight on Thursday (April 11). Find details on the touring installation below.
The installation tour schedule was:
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5 – Glasgow: Buchanan Street, outside Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (11am-4pm)
7 – Manchester: Exchange Square, located in front of Selfridges (11am-4pm)
10 – London: Kings Cross Station (11am-7pm)
The nation’s favourite Amy Winehouse song will be announced on release day, Friday, April 12.
Alongside Abela, the biopic also stars Jack O’Connell as Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, Eddie Marsan as Mitch, Juliet Cowan as her mother Janis, and Lesley Manville as her grandmother Cynthia.
The film was given a four-star review by NME, with Nick Levine writing: “Abela, so good in banking drama Industry, captures Winehouse’s fascinating mix of self-belief and frailty. She also takes on her songs, pretty remarkably.”
“Obviously, it was going to be tough for Back To Black to surpass Winehouse’s 2006 album of the same name – what could? – but Taylor-Johnson’s film is more than deserving of your time,” it continues. “It offers a welcome reminder of Winehouse’s plucky spirit – something that often gets lost when her life is reduced to a hackneyed tale of talent and tragedy.”
Last month, Abela caught up with NME on the red carpet of the 2024 BRIT Awards, shortly before presenting Bring Me The Horizon with the award for Best Rock/Alternative Act alongside Luke Evans.
“There are so many [stories that stuck with me], but it’s more just her essence. I think that will stay with me forever now,” she explained, also naming ‘Stronger Than Me’ as her favourite of the late artist’s songs.
She then went on to describe the track ‘Love Is A Losing Game’ as “a piece of poetry and writing that already does stand the test of time, and will forever”.
In celebration of the biopic, NME has announced a special print edition celebrating the life and legacy of the acclaimed singer-songwriter. There will also be a free NME Screens preview event where fans can see the film before it is released in cinemas.
The magazine will be available on Thursday (April 11) and the NME Screens Back to Black event takes place tonight (April 9) at Everyman King’s Cross in London. Tickets are free and more information is available here.
