From busking on Market Street to performing infront of 20,000 people at the AO Arena: The Rise of Alex Spencer

At just 16 years old, Spencer is set to make waves with his debut single “A Night To Waste” which comes out on April 24th, with a unique sound that indie-pop with compelling storytelling.

In this interview, he shares his experience performing at Manchester’s AO Arena, his musical inspirations, signing with Modern Sky and working with Adam French on his debut single.

When asked about his inspiration to start busking, Alex shared, “I had been travelling with my parents to India and Thailand. There were many open mic nights, and I had recently started playing the guitar.

“I became good friends with some famous musicians, and they told me that they had been travelling around the world, funding their trips by busking or playing gigs in local bars, etc.

“This appealed to me! When I came back to Manchester, I decided to give it a go. My first busking experience was in May 2019 with The Piccadilly Rats. I played around five songs with them to a massive crowd. This gave me great confidence, and I’ve been busking ever since!”

Alex’s career took a giant leap when he performed at Manchester’s AO Arena in front of 20,000 people.

Alex shared his experience, “It was a brilliant experience; I spent the day at the arena.

“There was an eight-piece backing band, and they already knew my song! We did a quick rehearsal in the afternoon, and we nailed it after two takes!

“Then a bit later, I played the song for the 12,000 children in the crowd who were also there to rehearse their choir parts for the Young Voices concert.

“Finally, at 8 pm, I went on stage to a packed-out arena. It went so quickly, but the atmosphere was amazing, and I wasn’t too nervous.

“I got such an adrenaline boost, and the crowd was amazing and supportive. I was very grateful to have that opportunity.”

Alex’s musical influences are diverse, ranging from The Beatles and Oasis to Sam Fender, Jake Bugg, The Lathums, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and the Arctic Monkeys.

When asked about his songwriting process, Alex shared, “When I get lyric ideas or inspirations, I’ll record it on a voice note or write it down. Many times, I’ll have an idea of my guitar. I get my chords and write lyrics over it; it’s kind of like a story or a puzzle.”

Alex’s talent has not gone unnoticed, and he recently signed with Modern Sky and worked with Adam French on his debut single.

When asked about his experience working with Adam French, Alex shared, “Working with Adam French was great. I originally met him last summer, and we met several times, working on my tracks in his studio.

“His career path is similar to mine, and he had lots of experiences to share and has had lots of success as an artist. He also writes music for films and Netflix series. He has an amazing studio up in the Shropshire hills, and I had a great time recording with him.”

When asked what sets his music apart from other indie-pop artists in the industry, Alex said “This is a difficult question to answer! I once met a big player in the record industry who had managed some huge pop acts.

“He saw me busking in Manchester and was impressed. He told my dad that he was blown away by my confidence and thought I was talented and wanted to work with me.

“I think busking from a young age to big crowds in Manchester had given me that confidence. The pressure and commitment from these big labels can be huge.”

Spencer has already received significant support from influential areas of the music industry, including exposure on-air with Radio X, and his early, self-released singles climbing to the top of the iTunes Singer-Songwriter Chart.

He has turned down offers from shows like The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent, determined to develop his craft and become a seasoned artist who is not just an overnight sensation.

With his debut single out and a full band behind him, Alex Spencer is ready to take the music world by storm.

You can check out his music by clicking here.