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Cape Town - Mike Rosenberg, aka Passenger is coming back to South Africa on tour after being the support act for Ed Sheeran's concert series earlier in the year. The mellow singer and songwriter will perform on 23 November 2019 at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg and on 26 November 2019 in Cape Town at the Grand Arena, GrandWest.
Passenger reached worldwide notoriety with his popular single Let Her Go, along with his UK number one album, Young As The Morning, Old As The Sea (2016). Runaway, the artist's new album, finds Passenger embracing melodies and colossal choruses as well as touring the world once more.
Ahead of his local tour, Mike answered some of Channel24's most burning questions about his career and some more light-hearted topics.
CHECK OUT CHANNEL24'S CHAT WITH MIKE ROSENBERG AKA PASSENGER:
Photo credit: Jarrad Seng/Supplied
About coming to back to South Africa after touring the country earlier this year with Ed Sheeran, Mike said: "I absolutely loved opening for Ed in March. I’ve been lucky enough to support him all over the world and its always great, but I have to say the South African crowds were up there with the best."
Travelling so much, for work, is sometimes severe for the 35-year-old who confessed to us: "It's a bit of a battle if I’m honest (staying healthy)." He added: "So much is out of your control. Sleep, exercise and diet all suffer, and you just have to make sure you look after yourself as best as you can."
One solution that the Brighton born performer uses to stay hitting the high notes might surprise fans because he takes it everywhere, he goes. Mike explained: "A portable steamer - I only found out about them a few years ago, and it absolutely changed the game as far as looking after my voice goes."
Mike performed for the first time when he was 16, and he founded Passenger with Andrew Phillips in 2003 according to The Times. The band's first and only album was titled, Wicked Man's Rest and it was released in 2007. The group – which ended up having five members - broke up in 2009. Mike decided to keep the name.
About all that he's learnt in the industry, Mike said: "Just to trust your gut instinct and back yourself. I think as a young artist, it is very easy to be swayed and advised (poorly in some cases) by other people. I think as soon as I started being really true to myself, that’s when people started to engage in my music."
After so many years on stage, Mike still gets stage fright when he belts out his heartfelt songs to hungry crowds. He admitted: "Absolutely, in fact, if anything it has only gotten worse over the years. I think it helpful to a certain extent as it really focuses the mind."
Who does the British artist want to collaborate with, locally? Mike said: "I met the BCUC guys a few years back - such sweet people and I love what they do. Would be so fun to team up with them and do something really different."
How does the artist plan to relax while visiting SA? He says that he'll try and see flora and fauna. Mike elaborated: "We’ve got a few days off, so I really hope to get out and see some animals. I’m such a wildlife fan, and there are few places in the world better for it than South Africa. "
EVENT DETAILS FOR PASSENGER'S TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA:
Johannesburg:
DATE: 23 November 2019
VENUE: Ticketpro Dome.
Cape Town:
DATE: 26 November 2019
VENUE: Grand Arena, GrandWest.
