Barrioke: How Shaun Williamson created the ultimate karaoke experience with Singa

Barrioke is the UK’s leading interactive karaoke experience, created and hosted by actor and performer Sean Williamson, best known for his roles in EastEnders and Extras.

But Barrioke isn’t your typical karaoke night—it’s a vibrant, high-energy show that fuses music, comedy, and crowd engagement into a truly unforgettable evening.

This lighthearted ethos has helped Barrioke evolve into a touring phenomenon, delighting fans at both intimate venues and massive festivals across the UK. Venues like the Corn Exchange in Hartford have become favorite stops for the show. “Not too big, not too small—just the perfect Barrioke venue,” Sean notes.

Sean’s love for performing predates his career in acting. “I’ve always been a singer—I was singing long before I started acting,” he explains. After a decade on EastEnders and roles in Ricky Gervais's acclaimed series, Sean found himself pondering his next move—especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When COVID came… money was a bit tight. So we thought, let’s give this a go,” Sean recalls. Barrioke began as a small idea, tested out at festivals where crowds were already primed for entertainment. From there, the team took a leap of faith and transitioned to venues where audiences would pay specifically for the Barrioke experience.

Delivering a polished and professional experience every night requires thoughtful planning and a dependable technical setup. Barrioke’s behind-the-scenes hero is technician Noel Cornford, who handles everything from the initial soundcheck to managing guest sign-ups.

The technical backbone of the show runs on Singa Business Pro, operated via an iPad. This iPad is connected to a mixer through a multi-port hub adapter, which also accommodates a separate laptop that plays background music. The lyrics are projected on a large screen for the audience, while a monitor placed at floor level allows singers to face the crowd while following along. If a venue lacks AV equipment, Barrioke brings their own to maintain consistency.

The microphone setup typically includes two to three mics for the performers and one reserved for Sean. While venue staff handle speaker volume and lighting from a separate mixer table, the Barrioke team takes care of the audio feed and technical checks. Before each show, a soundcheck is conducted to account for the varying quality of karaoke tracks.

Audience members sign up for songs using a sign-up sheet, where they can choose from Sean’s pre-selected favorites or suggest their own. Names are selected at random to ensure fairness, and singers are called two or three songs in advance to be ready in the wings. This helps maintain a smooth, high-energy pace throughout the night. As Sean explains, “You hope the singer is good and they pick a good song. But if they don’t, you’ve got to be ready to carry it—and that’s why I stick to songs I know.”

To keep the show lively between performances, Sean blends humor, storytelling, and music.

For a show that travels frequently and entertains diverse audiences, a reliable karaoke system isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. That’s where Singa Pro comes in.

The simplicity and power of Singa’s iPad-based setup make it perfect for mobile shows like Barrioke. It integrates easily with their existing audio equipment and is intuitive enough to manage quickly before each performance.

The platform’s curated playlist feature allows Sean to stick to songs he’s comfortable with, which is crucial when stepping in to support less experienced singers on stage. “Singa's always stood us in good stead—and hopefully it will for many years to come,” he adds.

The sign-up process is another huge win. Guests can register their song choices in advance, and Noel manages everything efficiently through the Singa app, keeping the entire evening running smoothly and professionally.

Barrioke is continuing to evolve. One of the most exciting developments is the integration of Singa Originals—tracks created from original master recordings rather than standard karaoke versions. This feature significantly elevates the quality of the performances. “Sometimes a track doesn’t quite have the bite of the original,” Sean explains. “Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’—you can feel the difference.”

With Singa Originals, each track retains the authentic instrumentation and production quality of the original artist, giving performers the full sound experience. These tracks are clearly marked with a purple checkmark in the Singa app, making them easy to find and select. “It can only improve things—and I look forward to it,” Sean says with enthusiasm.

Barrioke isn’t just karaoke—it’s a full-blown live experience that brings people together in laughter, music, and joy. With Singa Pro powering their shows, the team delivers flawless events night after night, across a wide range of venues and audiences.

With plans for further innovation and a growing tour schedule, Barrioke shows no signs of slowing down. One thing’s for certain: when the show comes to town, it’s not to be missed.