They can lay claim to being the world’s biggest boyband with millions of ardent fans spread around the globe, yet despite selling out huge venues overseas remain virtually unknown in Britain.
But now as one of the nation’s best kept musical secrets release their 25th anniversary album, the angelic voices of Libera are hoping to finally become household names to rival the likes of Take That, Boyzone and One Direction this Christmas.
The south London-based choral choir are megastars in Japan and have a lengthy track record of performing sell-out tours in the USA, Philippines and South Korea whilst amassing over 323 million views on YouTube alone. They have played for Popes and Presidents, boast Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson as a superfan and even sang at Aled Jones’ wedding.
And with a current line-up comprising 50 members aged between seven and 16 they are secure in their claim to be “the world’s biggest alternative boy band”.
Originally founded in 1999 by Robert Prizeman, the group have consistently pushed the boundaries of Choral singing with their trademark arrangements comprising ecstatic multi-part harmonies that has won plaudits from Beach Boy’s legend Brian Wilson.
And over the past quarter-century, they have grown from a small choir practicing in St Philip’s Church in Norbury to a renowned name across the worldwide music industry with 250 past members have sung with them throughout the years.
Current music director Sam Coates also sang on the band’s first recording in 1999 and became musical director following the death of Prizeman in 2021.
He now says it is one of the proudest moments of his life to be taking the group into their 25th anniversary celebrations.
He said: “Unlike every other boy I was the one who never left. As a young boy I had a vague interest in singing but every local choir basically comprised three 80-year-old-women and obviously joining that wasn’t very appealing for a young child.”
But Sam found his voice – and lifelong passion – after his parents took him to a Libera rehearsal.
He said: “I was instantly captivated and remain so. I just wanted to keep being involved.”
The current group has boys from a range of wide of backgrounds and has a 30 strong core whose UK tour of cathedrals concludes on 1st December with a special Christmas show at Sinfonia Smiths Square in Westminster.
Sam, 36, added: “It’s a great way to describe us as the ultimate alternative boy band. Choral music is something very different and lots of boys have never explored singing at the high end of their range before joining us. But they are always bowled over when they hear what can be produced.
“And the fanbase is phenomenal, particularly when we go out to Japan. There are queues of hundreds of people waiting for autographs and you can see the moment the boys realise just what an impact their music has. That is why the Daily Express’ Strike A Chord campaign raising awareness of the need for better music education is so important. We have so many former members who have gone on to work in jobs in the arts, media and music due to their minds being opened up to the opportunities simply through being in a choir.”
Libera’s new album Dream featuring a stunning version of John Lennon’s ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ is released on Friday November 22nd.
