Occupation(s) Baritone singer Name Mike Christie Music group G4 (2004 – 2007) Website Official Website Albums G4 & Friends, Act Three | Labels Unsigned Record label UNSIGNED Years active 2004–present Role Singer | |
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Birth name Michael Phillip Christie Born 21 April 1981 (age 43) ( 1981-04-21 ) Origin Redhill, Surrey, England Genres Classical music, Easy listening, Operatic pop, Human voice Similar People Ben Thapa, Matthew Stiff, Jonathan Ansell | ||
Michael Philip "Mike" Christie (born 21 April 1981) is an English singer-songwriter, composer, and baritone with classical popera group G4 from series 1 of The X Factor back in 2004.
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Early life
Mike Christie was born in Redhill, Surrey. He began singing professionally at the age of eight when he was offered a place as a chorister at Reigate St. Mary’s Choir School, and in 1993, he gained admission into Ardingly College where he studied singing under John Dudley and Director of Music Robert Hammersley. It was during this period he appeared in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral as a member of a choir at one of the weddings featured; they would later record the soundtrack for The Browning Version. After his voice broke, Mike Christie took a couple of years out, taking A levels in Chemistry, Art & Design and Music before returning to singing at the age of seventeen. He later spent four years at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2004 with Honours in Singing and Piano.
G4
Before graduating, Mike Christie competed in The X Factor as a member of G4 with Jon Ansell, Matt Stiff, and Ben Thapa where they placed second behind Steve Brookstein. The group released three albums before their split in 2007, with Christie admitting: "We'd had enough of each other". However, after a seven-year hiatus, G4 reunited for a reunion concert at the Barbican Hall, and announced their 2015 reunion tour with Nick Ashby as former member Matt Stiff wanted to concentrate on his solo operatic career. This was a success which led to Reunion Concert Tour across the UK. Mike Christie has also been on a Christmas By Candlelight Tour along with the other members of G4 in 2015 and in 2016 and its planned in 2017 as well. During 2016, G4 went on a Back For Good Tour with special female guest singers Margraret Keys, Katie Marshell and Alessandra Paonessa for the April leg of the tour but for September they were joined by Britain's Got Talent starts Vox Vortura.
During 2017, G4 have brought out their 5th album 'Love Songs' featuring Merill Osmond and Lesley Garrett and taking it on a 32 date touur around the UK and Ireland. Along with The X Factor China winner Mary-Jess and saxophone player Oli Nez, but for the show in London Union Chapel G4 will be joined with Merill Osmond and Lesley Garrett. G4 are also doing another Christmas by Candlelight Tour around churches in the UK.
Solo career
In 2010, Mike Christie released his debut solo album To The Fore which was a departure from the classical crossover songs he had been known for, and included several self-penned songs including "Why Not Today"; prior to this, he had headlined his Showstoppers tour in Birmingham and London. A year later, he featured in a production of The Glorious Ones, and in 2013, his own opera The Miller's Wife - written entirely in English - was shown at the Arcola theatre.
Mike Christie in 2016 participated in opera at The Opera Holland Park in London and also announced that he will be releasing another solo album. In 2017, Mike Christie was involved in a performance of Verdi's Macbeth playing the role of Banquo, Mike has also performed again at The Opera Holland Park during July 2017 in Kat'a Kabanova and Zaza.
Mike Christie announced that in October 2017 he will be going on a solo tour with songs from his album To The Fore. On Twitter Mike has announced he will be in Macbeth during November before the Christmas by Candlelight 2017 tour with G4.
Other work
Mike Christie worked in property development shortly after the G4's split. Mike Christie has got his own production company of Amick Productions where he has signed G4, Vox Fortura and Chinese X Factor winner Mary-Jess Leaverland. Mike is currently not on tour and has some free time writing a TV Drama and hopes to pitch it to a production company in the near future.