In 2024, Luke Friend played Roger in the revival of RENT at Peterborough New Theatre and Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple, and in 2022, he played Adam in the immersive musical Mamma Mia! The Party at The O2 Arena. Further stage projects for Luke have seen him play Busker in LIFT at Southwark Playhouse, originate the role of Willard in the brand-new production of Footloose the Musical in Zurich and Torquay, and make his professional musical theatre debut as St. Jimmy in the UK & Ireland Tour of American Idiot, followed by the New Zealand Tour, in which he performed Green Day music. As part of the band yellowbelly, Luke released the EP Watchtower alongside Alexander Vlahos’s short film of the same name, and as a soloist, he has been a singer at Pear Tree Cafe at Battersea Park regularly since 2021 and often has sets at The Brown Cow Pub and recently started working with The Devonshire in Soho and performed alongside Glen Hansard before Christmas. Luke started his career as a contestant on Series 10 of The X Factor in 2013, where he reached the Final and duetted with Ellie Goulding on her song Anything Could Happen at Wembley Arena, and he was part of The X Factor Live Tour the following year, and his debut single Hole In My Heart (which was released in 2015) peaked at number 40 on the UK Singles Chart. Answering our questions, Luke told us about playing Roger in the revival of RENT, his time in Mamma Mia! The Party and Footloose the Musical, making his professional theatre debut as St. Jimmy in American Idiot and reaching the final of The X Factor in 2013.

You played Roger in the 2024 revival of RENT at Peterborough New Theatre and Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple, what was Roger like to play and how did you prepare for taking on the role?

Roger was an absolute dream role for me to play. Definitely my most challenging to date, but in the best way. I’ve admired Jonathan Larson’s work ever since I can remember. Preparing for the role, I delved into 90s culture and really tried to grasp what life was like in the city at this particular moment in time. Also, the inner rage Roger faced – not being where he wants to be in his career and his mind. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

How familiar were you with RENT before booking the role and what was it like being part of the show?

Very familiar – Jonathan Larson’s work really speaks to me. It was a real team effort you know; all of us in the show really had to bond, and we did just that. We poured that out onto the stage every night.

How was it joining the cast of Mamma Mia! The Party at The O2 Arena in 2022 as Adam and seeing the audience response to the production?

Oh, it was great fun! Early memories of Mamma Mia!/ABBA for me are dancing in the front room with mum when we had the music channel on. It was a joy to see the audience having such fun.

What was it like being involved with an immersive musical, and how different did you find this to your previous projects?

It’s different in the sense that the audience are encouraged to become a part of the show, so that was different in many ways. I got pretty decent at dancing around a fountain (and not falling in, thank goodness).

Can you tell us about performing as Busker in LIFT at Southwark Playhouse?

LIFT was a real treat, and pretty much my first time being a lead. It felt more pressured, but having been a busker, it was so interesting exploring what we see all too often as singers on the street.

How was it originating the role of Willard in the brand-new production of Footloose the Musical in Zurich, and then performing with the show later that year in Torquay?

Footloose was an incredible experience. It was a real challenge as I whipped myself up into shape in a short period of time to be topless for a section of it. That gave me a lot of motivation, hahaha. I love working with a Southern accent too – it’s one of my faves.

You made your professional musical theatre debut as St. Jimmy in the UK & Ireland Tour of American Idiot, and also performed the role on the New Zealand Tour; what was it like getting into character as St. Jimmy and being part of the cast?

I mean, GREEN DAY, YES. I grew up with that band blasting through my ears. It was such an amazing experience. The subject matters are so real (still now) and to travel with it was a dream. I love seeing new places. I also met my other half in that show, so it was a very special time.

Do you have any stand-out highlights from touring with American Idiot that you can share, and how was it performing the Green Day soundtrack?

Tbh, so many, but one major highlight would be performing the show in the same theatre they filmed Peter Jackson’s King Kong – very cool. Performing Green Day tunes was the icing on the cake.

As a singer, you have performed regularly at Pear Tree Cafe at Battersea Park since 2021, and often have sets at The Brown Cow Pub, what are these venues like to perform at?

It’s ace. The main job is working out what the crowd wants to hear without asking them. Getting to the know the vibe, as it’s different at each spot. Pear Tree in the summer is chef’s kiss.

Can you tell us about some of the other recent gigs you’ve played, and what do you enjoy most about performing live?

I’ve actually recently got involved at The Devonshire (Soho), and we are like family. Some of the talent that walk through those doors are crazy good. I actually got to sing with Glen Hansard just before Christmas – my favourite voice ever. And he’s a gent.

Do you have any favourite songs to perform, and how do you decide which songs to include on a setlist?

It changes really. Not all venues want you to do start to finish bangers – some venues feel better warming up into it. So not particularly the same structure, just songs that always go down well.

As part of the band yellowbelly you released the EP Watchtower (which was released alongside Alexander Vlahos’s short film of the same name), can you tell us about this?

Watchtower was my first go at composing music for film. I’ve definitely caught the bug and want to do this some more in the future. It’s very therapeutic writing a song to a scene visually happening in front of you. And very rewarding when you finally get the right vibe.

What do you remember most from releasing your debut single Hole in My Heart, and how was it having it reach the UK Singles Chart?

STRESS – haha – but good stress. It was my first major release as an artist. It’s more enjoyable after that I feel, but that’s just me. Getting in the charts was a delight and felt like a weight had been lifted from expectation of it doing well.

You started your career as a contestant on Series 10 of The X Factor in 2013, where you became a finalist; what are some of your favourite memories from your time on the show?

You know, the show taught me so much, but to keep it simple, I’ll say the friends I made. Nicky McDonald, who came second, is still very much in my life, and we see each other as much as possible. That’s special, as it’s a unique experience we went through. Plus, playing pranks in the house – we were teenagers after all!

What was it like duetting with Ellie Goulding on her song Anything Could Happen in the Final at Wembley Arena, and how did you find the experience performing on The X Factor Live Tour the following year?

She was so lovely and so supportive. The X Factor Tour was my first arena experience – WOW, what a time. You never forget the noise of the crowd.

Where does your love of music and acting come from and how did you originally get into both?

It actually all started when I went to Debut Theatre School as a kid in Shipley and also joining Bradford choir. My parents also have a love of music, and I grew up with records always playing. I’ve just always felt at home doing it. It’s an itch that needs to be scratched.

Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch and music artists to listen to?

Theatre: RENT, Les Misérables and ONCE to name a few.

Music: Jeff Buckley, Fleetwood Mac and Radiohead.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Of recent, I’ve started to get into the habit of going to the gym again. It really is one of the best medicines for the mind. I also love football and video gaming (occasionally) – but I pretty much do music when I’m not doing music, if that makes sense. If I’m not in a theatre show or gigging/touring, I’m writing music. Oh, and one more thing, the pub with your best mates – nothing beats a conversation with your loved ones. No matter where it is.

Have you been given any advice over your performing career so far that has stuck with you?

TRUST YOUR GUT.

What are you hoping the next few months bring for your career, and do you have any music or acting projects / events coming up that you can talk about?

I’m actually working on gathering new skills. I’ve been introduced to a film club that I’m wanting to do to improve my on-screen acting. I really want to learn the piano and get a bit better on my mandolin. I’m also wanting to release an album this year, and I’m very much enjoying working on that at the minute. It’ll be my first.

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