Everyone knows what to expect from a music concert. The lights go down, the audience erupts into a chorus of applause and the idolised superstar arrives on stage, bursting with energy, ready to entertain the throng of their adoring fans for one night only.
It’s pretty spectacular.
But, ever wondered what happens once the curtains close and the lights go up? Are there diva tantrums? Catty fights between dancers? Tour riders demanding vitamin water to bathe pet dogs? Yes Mariah, we might be looking at you for that one, girl.
If you have, you’ve come to the right place as Metro.co.uk will give you an all-access, backstage look into what it really takes to make the tours of your favourite popstars come to life, while also reminiscing on some unique moments that made headline news.
Touring is not only an experience for the performer and the fans – the backing dancers, singers, stylists and others are also very much a part of the process and, perhaps more importantly, the backbone of these mammoth shows.
So grab your backstage pass as we get the inside scoop from Peter Andre’s backing dancer Royston because, in this case, What Happens On Tour (Doesn’t) Stay On Tour…
He still has the groupies now – I think they’re even worse
Peter Andre may be a devoted family man these days but it sounds like his tours are just as wild as his bachelor years – all innocent fun, of course.
Royston Gooden has been a dancer for Peter on tour for more almost three years and is loving every step of it.
Those old enough to remember, will know that Peter was a heartthrob of the 90s. Images of him doing the bogle against the backdrop of a waterfall in the Mysterious Girl music video, are iconic.
And it seems the heyday hasn’t exactly stopped for Pete, 46, who has apparently still got the excitable fans falling at his feet.
Revealing the honest truth about the fandom side of touring life, Royston told Metro.co.uk: ‘You get fans and fanatics.
‘The difference with a fanatic is they’ll do anything they can do to get to the artist. They will literally fight you.’
Blimey, sounds brutal.
Peter isn’t exempt from the groupie love, as Royston reveals: ‘He still has the groupies now – I think they’re even worse now.
‘When someone’s single no one wants you, and as soon as you get into a relationship, suddenly everyone does.’
Peter is happily married to Emily MacDonagh and they share children Theodore and Amelia, in addition to his children – Junior and Princess – from his previous marriage to Katie Price.
According to Royston, some fans take their admiration of Pete to the next level, targeting one of his background singers called Wendy with unfriendly comments.
The dancer explains: ‘Wendy’s the only woman on tour. She’s married, got a daughter. But I feel for her because the women are kind of bitchy to her sometimes. They’re either her best friend or they hate her.
‘She does a duet with Peter and he’ll go, “Make some noise for Wendy”. You’ve got the girls that will love her and also the girls that’ll just be sniggering. But at the same time they’ll come up to me and want to put big wet kisses on my face. I’ll be like, “Woah”.
‘It’s jealousy but in a weird way because they know nothing’s going on. Emily [Peter’s wife] would come to the show and the kids.
‘It’s not all of them, it’s just weird to see the contrast at times.’
Fortunately, that’s only a small handful of fans and most are generally pretty lovely, just wanting to have a good time and rock out to Pete’s famous tunes.
Royston adds: ‘Sometimes Pete will walk off stage and the fans are grabbing him so we have to peel people off him in the nicest way possible. There’s always a protection thing because we’re a family and the artists would say the same for us. So it’s nice.’
If there’s one thing fans love about tours, it’s the opportunity to meet their idol up, close and personal at meet-and-greets.
And it seems to be one of Pete’s favourite aspects of touring too.
‘What he does before each show is he has a meet and greet with all his fans,’ Royston reveals.
‘Anyone that wants to meet him, he takes two to three hours sometimes. He’ll finish his meet and greet and has 20 minutes to get dressed and puts on an amazing performance.
‘He literally spends as much time as he can with people that want to meet him, say hello and take photos. He has them sitting at the front. He’s warm like that.’
Pete’s warmness away from the bright lights and public eye, is one of the reasons Royston loves working with him.
The choreographer says: ‘That’s one thing about my career that’s been a blessing is everyone I work with, we’re friends.
‘It’s like having a hairdresser – someone’s in your hair and they see you at your most vulnerable. You’re having a one-on-one conversation, that’s what it’s like at the rehearsal studio.
‘You see people at their – I wouldn’t say lowest – but when they’re rehearsing it’s practice makes perfect and people go into their insecurities.’
Speaking fondly of his relationship with his boss, Royston adds: ‘I think that’s why myself and Pete and many other artists I work with, we have a good rapport because there’s a lot of honesty there.’
Things have changed a lot for Pete since his 90s glory days.
Being a father-of-four means he can now pass the buck down to his eldest son, Junior, who is already learning the ropes.
Royston reveals: ‘They come to the show all the time. The son [Junior] is a mini Pete. He’s a good dancer as well, he knows how to do the Mysterious Girl [dance]. He comes on-stage with us sometimes, does the little bogel.
‘He’ll tell Pete, “No, it goes like this”. Then does his little breakdance. It’s really cool.’
Erm, adorable.
As a dad himself, Pete understands that touring can tear the backing singers, dancers and other crew members away from their families from long periods at a time.
But he’s come up with a solution to make his team feel at home away from home.
Royston explains: ‘He’s of a certain age now and I’m no spring chicken myself, I just don’t have any kids. But if people want to bring their kids on tour, he’s so open to it.’
As for how family life has changed Pete’s attitude to living life on the road, the dancer adds: ‘One thing Pete does do, he leaves straight away. As soon as he comes off stage, he goes straight to the car and he’s out. He likes that time to reflect on the amazing show that he did instead rather than having to deal with anything after the show.’
Despite more than 20 years in pop, Pete remains unchanged by the fame according to Royston, who can’t praise his boss enough.
‘I would say Peter is one of the nicest guys in showbiz. He’s so nice – too nice,’ he says.
‘He’s such a great family man and he brings that not only to his family but ours.’
Go beyond the stage with What Happens On Tour every Wednesday.
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