Tom Grennan has had a whirlwind few years, from performing at major festivals and collaborating with chart-topping artists, to becoming a familiar face on TV and even the front of a crisp packet.
But as the Bedford-born singer prepares to release his fourth studio album and embark on his biggest-ever arena tour, it’s clear that for all the accolades, he still values honesty, humility and hard work.
Speaking to the Bedford Independent during a recent visit to his hometown, Tom said ‘Everywhere I Went, Led Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be’ is his most personal album to date.
“It’s a summary of me being a 21-year-old who didn’t really know what was going on, being thrown into the music industry, making mistakes and learning from them,” he said.
“It’s that whole journey of being 21 to now, really, being 29 and kind of growing up in and around the whole madness.”
“Everything I’ve been through is in this album. And I hope people will relate.”
The singer, who first found fame in 2017 as the guest vocalist on Chase & Status’s ‘All Goes Wrong’, said the new record captures a turning point. “Only now at 29 have I started to say to myself, ‘Alright, cool, I understand a little bit about life and who I am.’”
He admitted it’s taken time to become more comfortable in his own skin. “It took a while for me to really understand myself and not try and be somebody I’m not.”
Reflecting on how far he’s come, Tom was clear that success hasn’t come easily.
“I’ve worked so hard to be in the position I’m in,” he said. “I come from a humble background. My dad’s a hard worker, my mum’s a hard worker, and that’s been instilled in me from a young age. You don’t get anything for free.”
“Whatever direction I would’ve gone in, I’d have put the hard work in to be the best at anything. I’m still putting the hard work in now.”
Tom’s grounded approach hasn’t gone unnoticed by the brands he works with, and he clearly values that.
“I try and be as normal as I possibly can. I’m full of manners, I believe, and I try to be the nicest person I possibly can be.”
Read: “Stick me on a rollercoaster” – Bedford’s Tom Grennan says he’d love to sing at Universal Studios UK opening
Earlier this year, Tom released ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, a track resonating with fans for its raw honesty about male mental health. While he’s reluctant to be seen as the “face” of a campaign, he said using his platform to start conversations is essential.
“I’m not trying to be a spokesperson,” he said. “But I know I’ve got a voice and people listen, so I feel like I should speak about my own battles.”
Boys Don’t Cry was released in collaboration with the mental health charity Mind, and Tom says the goal was simple: to open up a conversation and remind people they’re not alone.
Despite his success, which includes a BRIT nomination and multiple platinum singles, Tom hasn’t lost sight of his roots. During his recent Bedford visit, he surprised fans at Tesco who thought they were attending a snack-based market research event.
“It’s pretty cool to see the fans,” he said. “I love coming back and seeing real people who’ve supported me from the start.”
His face recently appeared on limited-edition packs of Popchips, something he says he wouldn’t have agreed to unless he genuinely liked the product. “Popchips is a brand I actually do like,” he said. “I wouldn’t put my face on anything else.”
He surprised fans who thought they were attending a snack-based market research event at Cardington Tesco, only to find themselves face-to-face with the singer.
“It’s pretty cool to see the fans,” he said, adding that he loves coming back to where his music journey began.
A post shared by Tom Grennan (@tom.grennan)
Tom’s new album release will be followed by his biggest-ever UK arena tour, with shows at The O2, Manchester’s Co-Op Live, Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, and more.
But while the venues may get bigger, Bedford still holds a special place in his heart.
“Coming home is always a special thing,” he said. “This is where it all started for me, where I found my voice.”
He also hinted at the possibility of a future Bedford gig, having cut his teeth at the town’s very own Bedford Esquires and performing to a sell-out crowd in Bedford Park in 2022. “There’s always talk of it,” he said. “It just has to be the right time.”
Read: Locals urged to secure the future of Esquires through pioneering community ownership project
His new single ‘Full Attention’ is out now.
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