In case you did not know, the English supergroup Mike + The Mechanics will be making their way to South Africa as part of their ‘Looking Back – Living The Years 2025 Tour’.
South African music lovers are in for a treat as another renowned ‘Old Skool’ artist is set to grace the stage in the country. Big Concerts and HOT 102.7FM have once again joined forces to bring an exceptional live music experience to local fans. HOT 102.7FM has taken on the role of strategic media partner for this highly anticipated event.
More info about the Mike + The Mechanics 2025 South African Tour
Prepare for an unforgettable journey as Mike + The Mechanics embarks on their South African leg of the ‘Looking Back – Living The Years 2025 Tour’. The excitement begins on the 30th of January 2025 at the GrandWest Casino in Cape Town, followed by a performance at the SunBet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria on the 1st of February 2025.
During these electrifying shows, the band will showcase their timeless hits, including the iconic ‘Over My Shoulder’, the emotionally charged ‘The Living Years’, and the uplifting ‘All I Need Is A Miracle’. As a special treat for fans, Mike + The Mechanics will also perform a selection of beloved classic tracks from Genesis, ensuring an evening filled with nostalgia and musical brilliance.
Starting in March 2025 and playing through the UK, this tour will see them play their hits including ‘Over My Shoulder’, ‘The Living Years’ and ‘All I Need Is A Miracle’ as well as drift into some of Genesis’s much loved classic tracks.
Good news is that Arno Carstens and Albert Frost will be opening for Mike + The Mechanics at their shows.
Adding to the excitement, Mike + The Mechanics are delighted to announce that Nic Collins is returning on drums for the forthcoming tour.
Nic Collins first started playing with Mike (Rutherford) on the globe-trotting sell-out Genesis ‘Last Domino?’ Tour in 2021/22 which was a colossal task for any drummer taking on a tour of that scale, but one that saw Nic draw plaudits all over the world not only from fans but also fellow musicians with Musicradar.com voting him one of Best Rock Drummers and Best Prog Drummers of 2021.
Mike invited Nic to join The Mechanics ‘Refuelled! Tour 2023’ as the bands drummer due to the unavailability of regular drummer Gary Wallis. It was a huge success giving the band a new energy and dynamic that thrilled crowds across Europe.
On rejoining the band, Nic says “I’m thrilled to be heading back on the road with Mike + The Mechanics. The last tour in 2023 was so much fun and I’m honored to have been asked to be a part of this next tour.”
Mike says “It’s great that Nic is joining us again. He brings a great energy to the band and it’s nice keeping it in the family.”
Arno Carstens and Albert Frost have been friends for what to them feels like a lifetime. Albert was the principal guitarist and co-writer on two of Arno’s albums – Another Universe and The Hello Goodbye Boys.
Arno Carstens who during his career was the lead singer of the Springbok Nude Girls and Subsequently, as a solo artist has released numerous albums and has won numerous music awards.
Albert Frost, a familiar and respected feature in the South African blues-rock scene. Having performed for 21 years with the Blues Broers and has recorded with Arno Carstens and various other prominent bands.
Lloyd Madurai, Managing Director of HOT 102.7FM comments
“Mike + The Mechanics are exactly the type of act that resonates with the HOT 102.7FM audience and that’s why we’ve partnered with Big Concerts. It’s just another way for us to connect with our loyal listenership, as well as play a strategic role in furthering the objectives of Big Concerts, which, of course, is selling tickets.”
More info about Mike + The Mechanics
Mike + The Mechanics, a band that began as a side project by Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford in 1985, has had a remarkable journey in the music industry.
Initially fronted by Paul Young and Paul Carrack, the group achieved immense commercial success throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Their global appeal led to numerous number-one hits and an impressive sales record of over 10 million albums.
Tragically, Paul Young’s untimely passing in 2000 marked a turning point for the band. They released one more album before deciding to take a hiatus.
However, in 2011, Rutherford’s creative spark was reignited, and he began writing songs once more. He extended an invitation to Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar to join him in this new chapter of Mike + The Mechanics.
Together, they released The Road album, marking the band’s triumphant return to the music scene. Since then, they have embarked on successful tours, captivating audiences with their timeless sound and undeniable musical prowess.
Mike Rutherford comments on touring again
“Getting back on the road with the guys last year was a real pleasure and even though it had been four years, we slotted back into the old ways, the old jokes and the camaraderie like it had been a day.”
“We had so much fun on the last tour and the audiences were so gracious and warm, when we played the final show in Dusseldorf we all agreed then that we wanted to do it all again. We can’t wait to see you.”
As the Big Concerts media partner, HOT 102.7FM has been tasked with using its influential platforms to drive awareness with its engaged upper SEM audience and, ultimately, ticket sales.
This campaign launched on the HOT 1027 Breakfast on Monday, 3 June 2024, with tickets going on sale to the public at 09:00 on Friday, 7 June 2024 via Ticketmaster.co.za and BigConcerts.co.za.
It’s been a busy first half of the year for HOT 102.7FM as it approaches its third birthday in July, with ‘Old Skool’ acts Deacon Blue and OMD already playing to enthusiastic audiences in Johannesburg and the station announcing that Swedish group Roxette would be visiting South Africa early in 2025.
HOT 102.7FM has also added experienced broadcasters Jeremy Maggs and Darren Scott to its line-up and is in the process of wrapping up a successful media partnership with Showtime Management for the stage show MAMMA MIA! – which has played to sold-out crowds at Montecasino.
This, after celebrating being honored in three categories at the 2024 New York Festivals Radio Awards – widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of the radio industry’.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on SA Music Zone.
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