Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Saltburn led to 110 gigs in 2024

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, a well-known singer, is gearing up for a very special performance on BBC1 for New Year's Eve. She describes this concert as a 'career highlight' and is filled with excitement. In 2024, Sophie achieved a remarkable milestone by performing a total of 110 shows, which is more than any other year in her career. To put this into perspective, Taylor Swift, another major artist, had 83 performances that year. Sophie attributes her busy schedule to the success of the film Saltburn, particularly a memorable scene where actor Barry Keoghan dances completely naked to her hit song 'Murder on the Dancefloor. ' Sophie recalls how, during the Christmas season last year, she noticed a surge in people streaming her song and sharing it on TikTok, which was quite surprising for a track that is over two decades old. She humorously mentioned that no one has ever danced naked at her concerts, but she was hopeful that someone might take the plunge. The film Saltburn premiered on December 22, 2023, and by January 5, 2024, 'Murder on the Dancefloor' had climbed back into the top 10 music charts, holding the number two position for five weeks, only behind Noah Kahan's 'Stick Season. ' Sophie reflected on this unexpected resurgence, saying, 'The year started with an old friend taking me for another twirl. ' She feels that this year has been about turning her dreams into reality. At the age of 45, Sophie made her debut on the Billboard Top 100 in the United States in 2024. She also made her live U. S. television debut as a musical guest and embarked on her first headlining tour across the States. The success of 'Murder on the Dancefloor' opened many doors for her, including a guest appearance during a DJ set and a performance in front of King Charles at the Royal Variety Show. Sophie expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she has had, stating, 'There is so much to reflect on. It's an extraordinary thing to get to my stage in my career and still be doing new things, new excitement. ' As the year draws to a close, Sophie is preparing for her 110th show, which she considers a significant milestone in her career. She is currently rehearsing for the New Year's Eve concert at Riverside Studios in London, where she will perform under what is claimed to be the largest disco ball in the country. Sophie is thrilled to have been chosen by BBC Studios to follow in the footsteps of other famous artists like Robbie Williams, Alicia Keys, and Craig David, who have performed at this event in the past. Last year, over seven million viewers tuned in to watch the concert, and Sophie is determined to make this year's show even more memorable. She has been using her downtime on tour with the Human League to plan extensively for the concert alongside her husband and musical director, Richard Jones, who is also the bass player for The Feeling. Sophie understands the importance of New Year's Eve and wants to create the ultimate party experience for her audience, saying, 'I just want to give this last boost of escapist fun.