Years & Years' rise to fame: From a trio to solo project
The band moved forward as an Olly Alexander solo project
Years & Years were a band known for their huge hits 'Shine', 'King', and 'If You're Over Me', but do you know how they got famous?
Here we look at Years & Years' rise to fame, starting with Mikey Goldsworthy, Emre Turkman and Olly Alexander who were better known as Years & Years, before announcing in 2021 that they would continue as an Olly Alexander 'solo project'.
Who are Years & Years? Take a look through their journey from a trio to solo project:
Before 2014: Years & Years formed as a trio
Years & Years as a band was created in 2010, when members Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Turkman met online, and discussed their similar interests. The pair then invited Olly Alexander to the band following a house party, when they heard his rendition of 'Killing Me Softly' in the shower, and the rest is pretty much history...
In the beginning, Years & Years was in fact made up of FIVE members, but after releasing their debut song 'I Wish I Knew' back in 2012, Noel Leeman and Olivier Subria left in 2013, leaving Mikey, Emre and Olly as a trio.
Continuing as a three-piece, the band released their second single 'Traps' in late 2013, after they signed to French record label Kitsune.
2014: Years & Years signed a record deal with Polydor Records
It wasn't until 2014 when the band really started to make an impact. After signing a record deal with Polydor Records, the group released their fourth single 'Take Shelter' and their EP hit Number 1 on the UK Singles Electronic Chart.
2015: Years & Years release their hit single ‘King’
Things started to get even better for the group, when their fifth single 'Desire' debuted at Number 22 in the UK charts, and in 2015 their hit single 'King' made waves in the industry.
Also in 2015, Olly, Mikey and Emre were nominated for the prestigious BRITs Critics' Choice Award, before picking up the BBC Sound of 2015 Award.
The boys landed their first Number 1 in March 2015, when popular track 'King' stormed the charts and won a number of awards around the globe.
Watch the music video for 'King' here.
2015: Years & Years released 'Communion'
On 10th July 2015, Years & Years released their debut album 'Communion' which entered the UK charts at Number 1, outselling the rest of the Top 5 combined - in its first week of sales. The album has now sold over 1 million copies around the world and became the fastest-selling debut album in 2015 from a UK signed band.
2016: Years & Years get four BRIT Award nominations
Following a hugely successful 2015, the boys were rewarded for their efforts and picked up a huge four nominations at The BRIT Awards 2016. Despite losing out to Adele, the band toured with Ellie Goulding during the US leg of her tour.
2018: Years & Years released their album 'Palo Santo'
After the success of their debut album, Years & Years then released 'Palo Santo' in 2018. The album reached Number 3 in the UK and spawned hits such as, 'If You're Over Me', and 'Play' with Jax Jones.
To promote their album, Years & Years had actress Dame Judi Dench narrate their trailer. In an interview with us, they joked that they had "tricked her," going on to say: "We told her we were Coldplay!"
Olly Alexander then admitted that they had a contact, because he was in a play with her many years ago. When asked about the filming of the trailer, they revealed they recorded it at Dame Judi's house and they: "Ate crisps and drank Champagne". Sounds amazing!
The band's success continued when their song 'If You're Over Me' won a 2018 UK Music Video Award for Best Styling.
2019: Years & Years nominated for a BRIT Award
Years & Years were nominated for a BRIT Award for British Group, in 2019, the band also released a collaboration with Pet Shop Boys called 'Dreamland'.
2020: Olly Alexander joined the launch of the new radio station Hits Radio Pride
Olly Alexander joined Hits Radio Pride presenter Jordan-Lee at 8am on 28th August 2020 to launch Hits Radio Pride. Hits Radio Pride is a sister station of Greatest Hits Radio and you can listen to it online, on smart speakers, just say "Alexa, Play Hits Radio Pride".
2021: Years & Years became a solo project
Years & Years became an Olly Alexander solo project, with the band taking to their Instagram to announce the news.
Years & Years explained that continuing as an 'Olly solo project' will involve Mikey Goldsworthy playing at the live shows and Emre Türkmen helping with writing/producing.
In the statement released on their page, they wrote: 'Dear Y&Y fans 💕 There's been some changes that we want to fill you in on. This upcoming new album has been an Olly endeavour and we've decided that Years & Years will continue as an Olly solo project. The three of us are still good friends. Mikey will be part of the Y&Y family and play with us live and Emre will focus on being a writer/producer. These past twelve months have been crazy for us all and we want to thank you for the love and support you've given us over the years (& years). ✨ New Y&Y music will be coming this spring. 🌟'. (sic)
2021: Olly Alexander appears on the Christmas special of Bake Off
Olly Alexander appeared on the Christmas special of Bake Off. Dishing up details on the Christmas special, Olly revealed: "Basically, they told us what to bake", before continuing: "But not in like a secret way! Just like, they tell you before you get there 'this is what your bakes are going to be', so I did have a chance to practise!"
Without spoiling anything too much, the singer then revealed: "I won't spoil it - but my first bake went really well, but my other bakes... Not so well."
2022: First album 'Night Call' released as a solo project
Olly first announced his upcoming album on 28th September 2021, revealing the exciting news that we only had to wait a few more months to hear his first solo offering since Years & Years became an Olly Alexander project - with the album initially set for release on 7th January 2022.
On 16th December, Olly took to Instagram to reveal, due to production issues, he has had to push the release date back by two weeks, taking us to 21st January 2022.
In a sweet post, the singer wrote: 'i have some news!! due to production issues, 🧜🏻♂️night call🧜🏻♂️ will be coming a little later than planned on Jan 21st….. I hope that's okay!! i think it's worth the wait 💙
'and to make it even better, i am releasing an extra fun New Years digital edition of 🧜🏻♂️night call🧜🏻♂️ as a companion to the big new years & years eve show on @BBCOne , which will have all my other fav Y&Y songs on it too !! very good !!! 💙 i feel so lucky to be making music and doing this…. thank you thank you thank u for supporting me ✨' (sic).
2022: Years & Years announce their 'Night Call' tour
Years & Years announced their 'Night Call' tour which saw Olly performing at several locations across the UK including Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Manchester and Glasgow.
2023: Olly Alexander announced as the UK's Eurovision 2024 entry
Olly appeared briefly on Strictly Come Dancing during the final in December 2023 to announce that he would be representing the UK for Eurovision 2024! Olly said at the time: "I've loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I'm beyond excited to be taking part next year. As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour.
"I really can't believe I'm going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour! I've wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name. I'm determined to give it everything I've got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!"
2024: Olly performs his Eurovision entry on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
Olly took to the stage on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway to perform his Eurovision song 'Dizzy' for the first time - accompanied by a typically whacky and wild End of the Show Show from the hosts!
2024: The Eurovision Grand Final
Olly earned a respectable 46 points at Eurovision 2024, placing 18th out of the 25 performances that took place on the night. He wrote on Instagram: 'Honestly, I don't know where to even begin with this whole experience, I'm going to be processing things for a long time. For now, I just want to say I am so proud of the performance and my team, everybody absolutely smashed it and gave it their all to bring the vision to life.'
In 2021 Olly released his first solo track 'Starstruck', later delighting fans with his follow-up 'Crave'. The singer then officially released his first album as a solo artist, 'Night Call', on 21st January 2022.
In 2023, Olly Alexander was announced as the UK's Eurovision 2024 entry, under his own name, rather than Years & Years, explaining he felt the time was right.
Speaking about the honour, Olly said: "I’ve loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I’m beyond excited to be taking part next year. As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour.
"I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour! I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name. I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!"
Olly represented the UK during the 2024 Eurovision Grand Final, finishing in 18th place with his track 'Dizzy'.
What is Years & Years' favourite song to perform?
Olly Alexander revealed backstage at Hits Live Birmingham that his favourite song to perform is 'King'. The singer told Fleur East, James and Matt that the very popular song was his favourite because: "Everyone sings along and it's just like such a party every time, but I still get such a kick like any song to perform, and the audience enjoys it and they're singing the lyrics.
"It is the best feeling ever! And it's been so long since I've done something like this. So, I'm really looking forward to it."
You can hear songs from Years & Years on Greatest Hits Radio.
Now read:
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Olly Alexander: How the Bright Star actor became our Eurovision 2024 entry