Live Review Passenger
A poignant yet humorous solo performance from the band's lead singer soon turns al fresco
Live Review: Passenger
Other Recent Live Review Articles
Brighton-based five-piece Passenger have been together since 2003, gaining worldwide acclaim and producing two studio albums, Wicked Man’s Rest and Wide Eyes Blind Love. But for tonight’s gig at the Cockpit, the band’s 26-year old founder and singer-guitarist Mike Rosenberg performs alone, for an acoustic set which perfectly exhibits the group’s folk stylings.
Mike’s idiosyncratic vocal style is ideal for performing the outwardly sweet songs, which all have pretty sinister undertones. This blend of styles is reflective of the mixed crowd attracted here tonight, most of whom are clearly not new to the band’s music. Young girls sit cross-legged before Mike, watching in awe whilst singing along word-perfectly. Yet his charm is such that he also has the grown men of the audience laughing along with his every quip, and remarking with admiration on his performance.
The well-spoken troubadour is incredibly affable and seems to really rely on the audience’s opinions of his songs, interacting with us about what works and what doesn’t. He apologises needlessly for certain lyrics and an otherwise unapparent sore throat, and upon inviting everyone outside when the room becomes unbearably hot, is delighted to find that everyone does indeed follow. Rather than coming off as annoying time-wasting and a lack of confidence, though, Mike’s courteous modesty has everyone hanging on his every word when combined with his obvious talent and comfort in the role of entertainer (he has played support for the likes of Jools Holland during his career). On performing the latter part of his set under the arches behind Cockpit, it becomes clear that Mike is at ease playing the impulsive busker.
Think Paolo Nutini with more levels yet, somehow, simultaneously taking itself less seriously, and you have the music of Passenger. A ballad about losing a girlfriend to some Spanish bloke, going to Barcelona to win her back, then being rejected again would not usually be met with so much laughter. However, rather than a cruel reaction this is just what is expected of a self-mocking song filled with puns and dirty jokes. ‘Walk in the Rain’ also has Mike making fun of himself during a bad situation.
Stand-out track ‘The Last Unicorn’ is a beautifully moving tale of forbidden love and one-night stands, which you have to listen to very carefully to uncover its deep sadness. ‘Holes’ is another melodic, crooning ode to missing something from one’s life, which has everyone joining in for the immediately memorable chorus. You get the feeling that Mike Rosenberg has had a lot of ups and downs in his young life, but the minute you start to sympathise the music urges you to look on the bright side and enjoy yourself.
Passenger played at the Cockpit on Friday 6th August.
Posted on Wednesday 11th August 2010
Rebecca Ryder
The Cockpit
Swinegate, Leeds, LS1 4AG
Sending you to Twitter, hold on... 
