The Voice star thrilled to play at his former home

Buy photos » The Voice star Vince Freeman will perform in Evesham on Friday, July 27.

AWARD-WINNING musician and star of The Voice UK, Vince Freeman is to return to his former home when he performs in Evesham next Friday (July 27).

Freeman, who was among the final 40 artists on the hit BBC talent show, will take to the stage at Evesham Arts Centre and will be supported by fellow Vale artist Ryan Corbett and talented singer/songwriter Mae Bradbury.

The musician, who previously lived in Evesham for several months, told the Observer he was looking forward to the show, which starts at 8pm.

"I'm really looking forward to it because the Evesham Arts Centre is a fabulous venue to play in," he said.

"It's lovely the way the seats rise from the stage and when I played there a couple of years ago there was about 70 to 80 people watching me when there was really bad weather at the time, so to have that many see me gave me a huge buzz."

Freeman will take to the stage after hitting the high notes on The Voice UK where he impressed judges Danny O'Donoghue, Sir Tom Jones, Jessie J and Black Eyed Peas star Will.I.Am with his strong vocals.

His audition performance of the classic Kings Of Leon anthem 'Sex On Fire' earned him huge praise and saw The Script frontman O'Donoghue swivel his chair to seal Freeman a place in the next round.

The singer said it was a moment he would never forget.

"To get people like that who are highly successful and who you look up to to turn around and tell you 'you're good enough' that is massive and does wonders for your confidence. It was a huge moment.

"I had 90 seconds to get one of the judges to turn and I think he turned in the last 30 seconds. There was a moment when I thought 'well ok then there we go' and then it all changed in a flash.

"Being on the show was an amazing experience for me. Before I spent ten years hassling for gigs and being cheeky in trying to speak to various people. But to be asked to go on the show and then to end up in the final 40 was absolutely amazing," he added.

Freeman's dreams were dashed in the final knockout round after he was defeated by Bo Bruce, who went on to reach the final of the competition.

But despite his exit, Freeman has gone from strength to strength by performing in bigger gigs and is currently working with some of the top names in the music industry.

"The way the show has helped my career is that the gigs and the shows I have been asked to have been quite amazing. I've just been asked to play at the Westbury Festival and EMF who are headlining it called me and asked me to be their special guest performer for the weekend.

"Obviously before appearing on the show I would not have had a hope in hell of getting a gig like that and I'm very grateful," Freeman added.

Tickets for his show cost from £8 and are now on sale online at www.eveshamartscentre.co.uk or by calling 01386 446944.

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