Name: Joe Bell
What has being part of Johns’ Boys meant to you personally?
I’m proud to say Johns’ Boys is my life. Through ups and downs, and everything that life throws at you, having a group of 30-40 men that depend on you, and that you rely on too, brings me a great sense of belonging. Every member of Johns’ Boys is my friend, and it just so happens that they are also incredible musicians. It’s a great feeling knowing that I can walk into a room and forget all about any daily struggles for a few hours, and that the person beside me has the same simple aim as I, which is to release themselves in singing. I’m also proud that we don’t do things normally. As much as traditional male voice choirs have been well established over the years for a good reason, I know we offer something different, and that resonates with me strongly. Being part of Johns’ Boys is my greatest joy, and I want to relish every moment for, hopefully, another 10 years to come!
Is there one performance or concert that stands out for you?
As you’d expect, every concert has its amazing moments, and every show is different. I have a few recent concerts which stand out personally – I can’t pick one, it’s like choosing between kids;
1. Edinburgh – We’d travelled hours on the bus up north, and arrived at this amazing, intimate venue with audience members on every side. We sang Loch Lomond, having practised it on the bus journey up as a special piece for the concert. Walking on stage and hearing the audience sing it back to us was something special.
2. Bristol – I think this performance perfectly captured our sense of humour. The audience was involved from the very first note, and I’ve never heard laughter and that emotional response like it. Also, the venue was one of the best we’ve sung acoustically.
3. Wrexham 2023 & 2025 – Wrexham 2023 was our first concert after we’d been on BGT. I was amazed at the reception. From being relatively unrecognised, to singing in front of nearly 2,000 people in one weekend was unbelievable. The buzz in the William Aston Hall was electric. It was the start of great things to come, so to speak. Comparing that to our most recent concert there in 2025, I think this concert perfectly shows how well we can push ourselves musically. We learned a whole new repertoire of music and put on what I believe is our best ever show, raising the level of male voice choir concerts to a whole new level. It had everything and more!
What’s it really like being part of the choir, beyond what audiences see?
The funny thing is, audiences do see first-hand what it’s like to be in Johns’ Boys. We aren’t that different behind the curtain. Our laughter on stage, our harmonies, and our interactions before/during/after shows are what happen off-stage. I like to think we bring our personalities onto the stage with us. The reality of backstage before a concert is pure excitement – and sometimes a sense of amazement at how many people are in the audience! There is a buzz before showtime, as some members practice their songs, and others try to remember where they left their dickie bows! Our wives and partners would be amazed if they came backstage and saw us attempting to steam & iron our shirts! We usually eat food and share a drink in groups – I truly never feel more at home when everyone’s in the same room together.
In Johns’ Boys, a weekend concert is often filled with jokes and songs that spread down the bus aisles and around the dressing rooms. We poke fun at each other often and lift each other. After 10 years together, you learn that jokes are always lighthearted. After all, men only usually take the mick out of people they like! Intertwined with this, we catch up with each other on the stories of life outside of sheet music. Outside of the choir, members meet up and share downtime. I personally spend time with a couple of the lads down the pubs, or at music nights. One joy about the choir is that new members join regularly – it is forever growing and evolving. It feels great to live that experience through their eyes as they become part of the group.
There are so many relationships between us; on stage, we stand in our sections in perfect formation, but it is different behind the curtain. I love being able to find out about one member’s retirement plans, and a few minutes later, finding out about another member’s school exam results. It really puts life into perspective. In reality, we are just a bunch of working men who come together on the weekends to share extraordinary experiences. Sometimes I sit at my desk on a Monday morning and daydream about the memories of the concert that weekend prior.