After an exceptional response from his support slot at Ed Sheeran, Passenger has confirmed solo South African dates for his fans, announced Big Concerts and AEG Presents today.
Fans in Johannesburg will be able to enjoy his concert at the Ticketpro Dome on November 23 2019, while those in Cape Town will be treated to a show at the Grand Arena at Grand West on November 26 2019.
Discovery Cardholders will be able to get an exclusive 48-hour pre-sale from Monday April 1 2019. Tickets for the general public go on sale at 9am on Wednesday April 3 2019 from www.bigconcerts.co.za.
There have always been two sides to Mike Rosenberg, aka Passenger: the catchy, radio-friendly sound represented by his international number one single “Let Her Go” and his UK number one album, Young as the Morning, Old as the Sea (2016), and the more melancholic and soulful, singer-songwriter side, for instance on Whispers II (2015) and The Boy Who Cried Wolf (2017).
Runaway, his new album, finds Passenger embracing the catchy once again: the melodies are unforgettable, the choruses colossal. The album, Rosenberg’s tenth in 11 years, was recorded between the UK and Australia with his co-producer, Chris Vallejo, but its aesthetic is North American.
Some of the lyrics refer to specific locations such as Detroit or Yellowstone. “My Dad is American”, Rosenberg explains, “and we used to go over every other summer when we were kids. I always loved it.” Rosenberg imagined these new songs as unfolding a backdrop of America landscapes. And so, rather than the usual video process, he and video director Jarrad Seng spent three weeks making videos on a road trip across the US.
Passenger has come a long way since the release of his first album, Wicked Man’s Rest, released back in 2007. The initial incarnation, in which Rosenberg was backed by a full band, was followed by his reinvention as a solo artist and a period of busking, largely in Australia and New Zealand.
Then came a year of touring the world in support of Ed Sheeran. “Let Her Go” followed. Rosenberg says he has spent “two years running round the world after that song.” He had to run fast: the song, for which Rosenberg won an Ivor Novello, is approaching two-billion plays on YouTube. “Let Her Go” changed everything for the singer.
Rosenberg recently supported Ed Sheeran on his South African tour dates. “I had the most incredible time opening up for Ed in South Africa. I couldn’t believe how lovely the crowd were and the response online has been completely insane! I really can’t wait to come back and play my own shows in November!!” said Rosenberg.
Tour Information:
Johannesburg
November 23 2019
Ticketpro Dome
Ticket Price: From R400
Tickets available from www.bigconcerts.co.za starting on Wednesday April 3 2019
Cape Town
November 26 2019
Grand West, Grand Arena
Ticket Price: From R395
Tickets available from www.bigconcerts.co.za starting on Wednesday April 3 2019
Picture: Passenger, Facebook