Three decades ago pop-phenomenon Frankie Goes to Hollywood had achieved chart-domination with their seminal singles Relax and Two Tribes.

Fast forward to the present day and their iconic former frontman Holly Johnson is on tour celebrating the release of his latest single Dancing With No Fear from his 2014 solo album Europa.

Fresh from a home-coming gig at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the artist spoke to Hannah Worrall about touring, his best Frankie memories and the future.

How is the tour going?

It feels good performing again, although it’s not easy negotiating the music industry in 2015 as it’s changed so much. It’s all been a bit of a magical event. It can be all-consuming and a bit exhausting occasionally. I’m just grateful that I have the good health to be able to do it.

What do you enjoy about playing live?

It’s just so exciting connecting with an audience, some of whom have been with me since Relax topped the charts.

What can we expect from your St Albans show?

The set covers everything from all the Frankie Goes To Hollywood singles through my solo albums up until today with the title track of the new album Europa (written with Vangelis). I’ve never been to St Albans before, which is partly why I’m looking forward to it so much.

What’s your latest single Dancing With No Fear about?

It’s a dream that we all have this incredible freedom to be who we are and do what we want, and the question remains: where do we go from here? Dancing With No Fear also describes a state of mind that we all can aspire to.

Where does inspiration for your new material come from?

Various sources, my own experiences or things I read about or people tell me, the world is fascinating.

What was writing Europa like?

It happened over a very long period of time, like a painter who makes lots of pictures and only some get chosen for the exhibition. Europa is that sort of album. Some songs were written many years ago and some very recently, they are all woven into the fabric of my life. I just wanted to create something that I was proud of, regardless of any commercial outcome. I had been performing my older songs at festivals for a few years and it was really time to inject some new material into the mix.

Do you think your music has changed since your early career?

There has always been a thread of electronic music interspersed with real musical instruments in my work. My voice seems to have improved which is very satisfying, I must look after it though and try not to do so many shows.

Who have you enjoyed working with and is there anyone you’d still love to meet?

Dan Hartman who wrote Relight My Fire was great to work with. I recently worked again with Frankie Knuckles who remixed Follow Your Heart with Eric Kupper. There are lots of other musicians and artists I would like to meet and wouldn’t like to jinx it by mentioning them.

Are there any songs on Europa you are particularly proud of?

All of them, the ballads: So Much It Hurts and Lonesome Town. The more up tempo tracks Dancing With No Fear, Follow Your Heart. If I had to choose one I couldn’t.

What are your favourite memories from your time with Frankie Goes to Hollywood?

For me it was events like travelling the world and getting to meet interesting people like Andy Warhol, Gene Kelly, Billy Crystal and many others.

Did you ever expect the band to be so successful?

Yes, but not in such a phenomenal way. It was like a pop phenomenon for a moment. I expected a kind of cult success.

Who inspired you to be a musician?

Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Lou Reed the list is endless.

Were you influenced by your upbringing in Liverpool?

Living in Liverpool and being a stone’s throw from Penny Lane, pop music was always in the air so to speak. There were records in the house from Yma Sumac to Otis Redding and Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Motown and The Beatles’ Sgt Peppers album.

Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, Thursday, June 18, 7.30pm. Details: 01727 844488, alban-arena.co.uk