It's not often I feel pleased to be one of the only people at work in my office on a bank holiday Monday with the sun beating down over London Town...but yesterday was an exception. After hearing that one of my favourite artists Passenger was going to be performing an impromptu busking session down the road from my office on the Southbank - I simply had to get myself there. And how glad I was that I went.
Only that very morning I had been thinking about when id finally get to see the bearded, gravely-voiced talent from Brighton. On a day when Passenger had announced more dates to his current world and European tour; taking in arenas such as o2 in London, Birmingham and Bristol to name but a few - I couldn't help but think how I'd much rather see my first passenger gig in more of an intimate setting with only a handful of people obediently observing the acoustic sounds as opposed to having the set drowned out by thousands of screaming fans in an aeroplane hanger. As luck (and massive coincidence) would have it today would be the day I ticked off Passenger on my "to see" list.
Having only a lunch hour to make it to the set which was situated outside the Tate Modern, I speedily made my way there and could see a pretty huge crowd surrounding Mike Rosenberg, (aka, Passenger), his two guitars, two speakers, two photographers and one mardy looking security man. I thought I'd perhaps struggle to get close enough to enjoy the set but this wasn't the case as the 300 strong crowd (made up of fans and tourists) were all in a relaxed mood and I was able to nudge my way close enough to get a great glimpse of this huge talent that is taking the world by storm right now.
I, like everyone else there, was transfixed by the very powerful and emotive vocals reverberating around the South bank as Passenger mixed up his set with some of his popular and well known songs along with some new tacks from his up and coming LP 'Whispers'. In between each song Passenger would enlighten the audience with stories from his travels and anecdotes and experiences which ultimately led to the songs been written in the first place. Songs laced with either humour or sadness, or sometimes both, but always tinged with great honesty and delivered with a sterling concentration throughout.
Having only a lunch hour to make it to the set which was situated outside the Tate Modern, I speedily made my way there and could see a pretty huge crowd surrounding Mike Rosenberg, (aka, Passenger), his two guitars, two speakers, two photographers and one mardy looking security man. I thought I'd perhaps struggle to get close enough to enjoy the set but this wasn't the case as the 300 strong crowd (made up of fans and tourists) were all in a relaxed mood and I was able to nudge my way close enough to get a great glimpse of this huge talent that is taking the world by storm right now.
I, like everyone else there, was transfixed by the very powerful and emotive vocals reverberating around the South bank as Passenger mixed up his set with some of his popular and well known songs along with some new tacks from his up and coming LP 'Whispers'. In between each song Passenger would enlighten the audience with stories from his travels and anecdotes and experiences which ultimately led to the songs been written in the first place. Songs laced with either humour or sadness, or sometimes both, but always tinged with great honesty and delivered with a sterling concentration throughout.
In Passenger we have someone who clearly retains the core values of what music means to both artists and audience alike
Passenger performing on London's Southbank | Photo: Jonjo Rooney
Passenger described the London crowd as "Polite" and "charming" which indeed they (we) were. Each song was obeyed with the silence and respect that the gig richly deserved and there was plenty of interaction with the audience as well as singing along by everyone in the sunshine. It made for a really unique and uplifting experience - and having spent many hours watching videos on YouTube of Passenger busking all over the world, this was, he informed us, his first time busking in London since the police told him to "move along" on a "pissing down day in London somewhere" many years ago now. There was no chance of moving Passenger on today, especially when the ultimate crowd pleaser "Let it go" was played - to the jubilation of the audience. A song heard so many times over the past 18 plus months on radio stations and a host of TV shows may have a risk of sounding somewhat 'over done' or too repetitive, but this was far from the case, as the audience were encouraged to sing along - and indeed they did, both politely and delicately.
The hour long set was wrapped up with another of Passenger's signature songs, this time the upbeat, and energetic 'Holes'. Passenger has the ability to somehow always ensure each gig is unique and laced with personal affection and attention and today was no different especially when just before the chorus of 'Holes' Rosenberg's guitar strings snapped, to which the rest if the song was played out acapella...which was an absolute delight to the crowd.
As Passenger departed his set and battled through the Southbank crowds, I managed to catch him for a quick chat and a shake of the hand (two, actually, one to say hello and thanks for the impromptu gig, and the other to say goodbye and good luck) - and it turns out he is just as polite in person as he is on stage, offering me humble words of thanks for the kind words and coming out to support him. In Passenger we have someone who clearly retains the core values of what music means to both artists and audience alike. He reinforced this by proclaiming that "I think music should be free and should be for everyone to enjoy, not just if you can afford the ticket". Whilst the potential shelf-life of an artist (now) in the public eye being at risk of being somewhat restricted, Mike Rosenberg knows that he can, and will always stay true to his musical roots by busking on the very streets that propelled him to his richly deserved success. And long may it continue.
JR
Wispers is out in June 2014. Subscribe to Passenger's mailing list here
The hour long set was wrapped up with another of Passenger's signature songs, this time the upbeat, and energetic 'Holes'. Passenger has the ability to somehow always ensure each gig is unique and laced with personal affection and attention and today was no different especially when just before the chorus of 'Holes' Rosenberg's guitar strings snapped, to which the rest if the song was played out acapella...which was an absolute delight to the crowd.
As Passenger departed his set and battled through the Southbank crowds, I managed to catch him for a quick chat and a shake of the hand (two, actually, one to say hello and thanks for the impromptu gig, and the other to say goodbye and good luck) - and it turns out he is just as polite in person as he is on stage, offering me humble words of thanks for the kind words and coming out to support him. In Passenger we have someone who clearly retains the core values of what music means to both artists and audience alike. He reinforced this by proclaiming that "I think music should be free and should be for everyone to enjoy, not just if you can afford the ticket". Whilst the potential shelf-life of an artist (now) in the public eye being at risk of being somewhat restricted, Mike Rosenberg knows that he can, and will always stay true to his musical roots by busking on the very streets that propelled him to his richly deserved success. And long may it continue.
JR
Wispers is out in June 2014. Subscribe to Passenger's mailing list here
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