Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Meet Emmy Statham, a Derbyshire singer with Spice-level ambition. Fierce, fearless and a whole lotta fun, the Ripley-based 21-year-old is one of five feisty females that make up girl band XO. Pop girlies gather! With their unapologetic take on girl power, you (or your tween kids) are gonna want to be in their gang.</p>



<p>A bubbling ball of energy and ambition, Emmy was brought up and educated in Swanwick and Alfreton. She talks to Muddy about music, mates, and her favourite local haunts.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="904" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/Emmy-by-Beck-Cooke-904x1024.jpg" alt="emmy statham from girl band xo" class="wp-image-15990" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/Emmy-by-Beck-Cooke-904x1024.jpg 904w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/Emmy-by-Beck-Cooke-265x300.jpg 265w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/Emmy-by-Beck-Cooke-768x870.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/Emmy-by-Beck-Cooke-1355x1536.jpg 1355w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/Emmy-by-Beck-Cooke.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Beck Cooke</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-did-it-all-begin-nbsp"><strong>Where did it all begin?&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>I started dancing from the age of three but was involved in harmony and choir from age eight. I then went on to be a full time training performer from 15, &nbsp;training in Manchester and Leicester.&nbsp;Growing up I loved the Black Eyed Peas, Robbie Williams, Christina Aguilera and PINK. I love to listen to all genres of music from Tate McRae to Timberland to Sam Fender to Luther Vandross to Lana Del Ray.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-me-a-bit-about-xo-how-did-you-guys-form-did-you-know-each-other-before-did-you-hit-it-off-immediately"><strong>Tell me a bit about XO – how did you guys form? Did you know each other before? Did you hit it off immediately?</strong></h2>



<p>We were all lucky enough to meet at an audition advertised by a talent agency. The poster read: ‘Do you want to be in a girlband like the Pussy Cat Dolls? Are you age 16-19?’ None of us was, but after a long day of auditioning, we formed and have been inseparable ever since! As we got to know each other we slowly realised that we actually had a lot of mutual connections.’</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-by-Alice-Backham-1024x683.jpg" alt="girl band XO" class="wp-image-15993" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-by-Alice-Backham-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-by-Alice-Backham-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-by-Alice-Backham-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-by-Alice-Backham.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">XO &amp; Emmy (second from right) / by Alice Backham</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-describe-your-girl-band-xo-for-us"><strong>Describe your girl band XO for us?</strong></h2>



<p>I would describe the band as unapologetic, bold, fun, and a little chaotic!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-ep-nbsp-fashionably-late-is-fresh-out-what-s-it-like"><strong>Your EP&nbsp;<em>Fashionably Late </em>is fresh out. What’s it like?</strong></h2>



<p><em>Fashionably Late</em> is a body of work that’s been moulded by the fun and chaos of the first year together as a band. We’ve been on a journey with our music and we love that each song has its own different vibe and moment. The focus track <em>Candy</em> (see link below) is personally my fave! Irritable to dance and choreograph to, she’s hot, she’s flirty and has that 90s pop girly feel.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-Fashionably-Late-artwork--1024x1024.jpg" alt="fashionably Late by girl band XO album cover" class="wp-image-15994" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-Fashionably-Late-artwork--1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-Fashionably-Late-artwork--300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-Fashionably-Late-artwork--150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-Fashionably-Late-artwork--768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-Fashionably-Late-artwork--500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-Fashionably-Late-artwork--1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/11/xo-Fashionably-Late-artwork-.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-highlights-so-far"><strong>Any highlights so far?</strong></h2>



<p>The schools&#8217; tour was the best thing we ever chose to do as a band. It means that not only have we been able to meet each and every one one of our follows but it’s also allowed us girls the chance to gain experience performing and living on the road together. It’s made a sisterhood out of us and we couldn’t be more grateful. Glasgow was our personal favourite place to tour. We made a pact to completely immerse in Scottish culture and the people we met were not shy to get involved. We tried Iron Bru and square sausages, got taught the highland two step and had a student play the bagpipes for us in our performance. Such a laugh, so much fun and memories that we’ll always cherish.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-what-are-your-plans-and-hopes-for-2026"><strong>What’s next? What are your plans and hopes for 2026?</strong></h2>



<p>Next year will be a big year for the making of girl band XO. &#8216;We want to be gigging 24/7. We&#8217;ve already announced our next headline<a href="https://www.xoofficial.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> tour</a> which will see bigger venues, more songs, more destinations and bigger audiences, we can’t WAIT! We have festivals planned, we’ll be travelling internationally and in and amongst will be lots more writing and recording.&#8217;&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="XO - Candy (Official Video)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E2APl_-4XW4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anywhere-you-d-love-to-perform-locally-how-about-further-afield"><strong>Anywhere you’d love to perform locally? How about further afield?</strong></h2>



<p>Locally I’d love to play at Rock City in Nottingham, where I grew up clubbing as a teen, so would be a little full circle moment but our dream venues are the O2, Wembley and Madison Square Garden.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-let-us-in-on-your-local-favourite-places"><strong>Let us in on your local favourite places.</strong></h2>



<p>For shopping, I’m obsessed with Belper independent seasonal decoration shop Primsisters. For coffee and cake, I love <a href="https://www.nourishatno44.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nourish</a> in Belper or Chatsworth Farm Shop. For eating out, I go to <a href="https://thehunlokearms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hunlocke Arms</a> in Chesterfield or <a href="https://www.blackswanbelper.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Black Swan</a> in Belper and I love a night out in Nottingham. For a walk and pub pitstop I love Hardwick Hall and the <a href="https://www.hardwickinn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hardwick Inn</a>. I also love to spend time in Matlock bath, at Chatsworth House, the <a href="https://www.ritz-belper.co.uk/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ritz Cinema</a> Belper, cosy weekends in front of the fire with my family with M&amp;S picky bits. Finally, my cousin’s nail salon in Somercotes <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1058570342810520/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">River and Rose</a> &#8211; Gracie is the best at doing all my girlband nail desires!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-can-put-together-a-mixtape-of-your-favourite-tracks-right-now-what-s-on-it"><strong>You can put together a mixtape of your favourite tracks right now – what’s on it?</strong></h2>



<p>Sienna Spiro &#8211; Die on this Hill&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sugar Babes &#8211; Too lost in you (all the Xmas feels!)</p>



<p>Olivia Dean &#8211; Loud / A Couple Minutes</p>



<p>Skye Newman &#8211; FU &amp; UF&nbsp;</p>



<p>Joni Mitchell &#8211; Both Sides Now</p>



<p><em>Stream XO&#8217;s debut EP Fashionably Late <a href="https://xo.lnk.to/fashionablylate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</em> <em>For tour dates click <a href="https://www.xoofficial.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here.</a></em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/santa-runs-jingle-jogs-christmas-day-parkrun-notts-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ho, ho, go! Sign up for a Santa run near you</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/whats-on-notts-derbyshire-december-christmas-panto-music-theatre-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jingle all the way! What&#8217;s on this December in Notts &amp; Derbyshire</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/christmas-concerts-carols-festive-music-gigs-notts-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Show-stopping festive concerts</a></p>


Fierce & fearless: Meet the Derbyshire singer on the brink of girl band stardom with XO

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