By SAM BRIMACOMBE
Ceres’ Taylor Henderson is coming home six months after wowing audiences and capturing Australian hearts on TV’s X-Factor.
The 21-year-old said he was thrilled about bringing his first national tour to Geelong after months on the road promoting his number-one debut album, released in November.
“I’m just constantly flying from one side of Australia to the other – there isn’t a state I haven’t seen,” he enthused.
“I’m just so excited to finally come home and play. I can’t wait to be back in Geelong.”
Henderson said his new-found fame was overwhelming, humbling and sometimes scary.
“I find it so weird,” he laughed.
“When I walk off the plane [interstate] there are just all these fans waiting for me. It’s crazy.
“I’m, like, ‘What are you guys doing?’ and they’re here to see me.”
Despite performing everywhere from Melbourne’s famous tram car restaurant to Channel 7’s Sunrise program, Henderson said playing in Geelong would be unique experience.
“It’s going to be a more-intimate vibe at GPAC. I think it’s a bit scary, seeing familiar faces.”
Henderson said he never considered music a future career. In his final high school years he focused on design, specifically architecture and maths.
“At school I didn’t do any music classes – I was looking at being a builder.
“I didn’t give up on music but I wanted to work hard. I always left things to the last minute.
“If I had something due I’d find myself playing guitar instead.
“Dad would always come in and say, ‘Put down that damn guitar and do your homework’.”
Henderson’s initial experience of television fame was with his father, Cameron, when they appeared together on Australia’s Got Talent in 2010.
“I felt like I had more to give, so I did four years of practising and performing,” he explained.
“I knew I had to show them what I had achieved.”
Henderson was rewarded with a runner-up title on X Factor.
He admitted lacking confidence before the show when he was ready to leave the line of contenders outside auditions.
“I was, like, ‘Let’s leave,’. I can’t explain it,” he laughed.
“I love performing but I had a lot of doubt.”
Henderson said he now felt the pressure of living up to expectations building after the release of his album, Burnt Letters.
“I’m a bit nervous because the album is very much me and that’s how I wanted it to be. It’s fresh, it’s dark and it’s almost insecure.”
Henderson plays Geelong Performing Arts Centre on 1 June.
