Interview: Roachford (UK) on Then and Now – Greatest Hits Tour
By Krystal Galloway | Krystal in the Crowd for Sheldon Ang Media
After more than two decades away from the Australian stage, legendary British singer-songwriter Andrew Roachford MBE is set to return Down Under for the Then and Now Greatest Hits Tour, bringing his soulful voice and timeless hits back to fans old and new.
Roachford has released 11 studio albums, and has been sought after as a songwriter by the likes of Michael Jackson, Joss Stone, and Chaka Khan. Over the last decade, he has also been part of Mike + The Mechanics, recording and touring with the post-Genesis band.
Krystal Galloway sat with the legendary British singer ahead of his Australian tour, commencing in Perth on the 16th of May 2025. He shared his thoughts about touring life, his admiration for his late friend Michael Jackson, life with Mike + the Mechanics, the enduring power of his music and the excitement of touring in Australia since 2004.
Full video is available below.
Krystal: Hi Andrew, thank you so much for chatting with me today. I’ve been such a big fan for years and years. I was thrilled to wake up to a tour announcement last year, to hear that you’re coming to Australia very, very soon, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to Australia. How does it feel to be touring and returning to Australia after 20 years?
Andrew: Surreal. It feels surreal, but it feels great. When I have played in Australia, I’ve loved it. I love the audiences, the experience, the country. I can’t wait to get back. I have some friends out there as well that I haven’t seen for a long time. And yeah – my music, especially Permanent Shade of Blue, was so well received in Australia and I felt like I didn’t really tour it enough over there.
Krystal: There are two of your songs that are very much standout songs in Australia, that get played at most events that we end up having. And at the end of the night, we always end up playing Only To Be With You. How does that make you feel, that people still play your songs now and enjoy every part of it, and that they’re such a big part of our lives?
Andrew: Again, I would use the word surreal, because when you write the songs you don’t think about how long in the future they’re going to still be played or any of that. You’re just so in the music and in the creative process, you’re just thinking, ‘well, I’m trying to express something.’ And to find out years later that it’s resonated with so many people on such a level… it’s humbling, that’s what I’d say.
Krystal: I love that. Your latest album Then & Now combines new songs with some of your greatest hits. How did you choose what songs to revisit, and what do the new songs mean to you?
Andrew: Well, how did I choose… basically it was quite a long process because you know, I was with my band and I was going, ‘right, we can only have this much on there, so we can’t have that… oh no, you’ve got to include that one… well then we can’t have that one!’ It was a bit like doing a set list. But in the end, like when I’m doing a set list for live gigs, there are certain songs that always get included, and I think I started there basically. And the new ones, I wanted people to kind of understand obviously that it’s not just a nostalgic thing when you think of Roachford. I’m still creating, I’m still writing, I’m still touring. Everything to me is about today and about the new stuff. And actually, it’s such a long time ago since I recorded those old songs, I’ve had a life experience, and to revisit them as Andrew me now was just interesting to me.
Krystal: And you’ve been performing for decades. How do you keep your energy and passion to continue touring and performing for us all?
Andrew: That’s another great question. I’m passionate about music on such a level, and there’s something about music that energizes me no matter what. So I think it begins and ends there, you know. I see the effect that it has on people, it’s so positive. There’s such a depth to the connection made between audience and band and stage and everything, and that’s something so precious. You know, all my heroes, they kind of did it until they went — as in, they were gone, you know? I’m always a bit suspicious of artists that have a couple of hit records and then retire. I’m like, well, I’m not that kind of… you don’t expect a painter to retire. All the famous painters or composers, nobody says ‘he retired now, he doesn’t paint anymore.’ That rarely happens unless you’re just physically not able. But I kind of look after myself to an extent — I do a bit of sport here and there. I still enjoy jumping around on stage like a madman!
Krystal: I can’t wait to see you in Fremantle and see exactly that! And you’ve worked with icons like Michael Jackson and Mike and the Mechanics. How have those collaborations shaped you over the years and your music?
Andrew: Well actually I did — I heard from Michael Jackson and his people saying that they love my writing, he loves my writing. He said I remind him of some of his favorite artists — Sly and the Family Stone is what he said. And you know, ‘we should get together.’ But actually we didn’t complete that mission for a bunch of reasons. But just the fact that he asked me personally was kind of shocking to me — it was like, wow, okay. And Mike, the other Michael — Mike and the Mechanics — I literally got home yesterday from doing a 50-date tour with them. And yeah, we’ve been together now 14 years, I’ve been working with Mike, and it’s definitely shaped my musical understanding because he’s coming from a different place. We’ve written a couple of albums together. And yeah, it’s been an eye-opener of an experience because when you’re working with an artist who you have a lot of respect for — all the Mechanics stuff and the stuff he’s done with Genesis — I’m open to learning. And I have learned loads from working with Mike.
Krystal: And while you’re touring us in Australia, for long-time fans like myself, what can we expect from the set list, if you can give anything away? Will we get to hear the favorites that we love singing?
Andrew: In a word — yes! I mean, what I say to people is when you get in the room — because obviously… I mean, I’ve been to a Prince concert and he didn’t play Purple Rain and I was upset about that. But then, was it a great gig? Yes, it was a great gig. I’ve gone to a Stevie Wonder gig and he has played Superstition and I’ve wondered how many times has he played that song? It was in the early days when I was starting out and now I get it. People, you know, they’ve grown up with those songs or whatever. And for you to go, ‘well, here’s just my new material,’ is not… it’s not on really. But at the same time, no matter what I play or what I don’t play, I can guarantee that people will feel a connection and an energy that they can take home with them and go, ‘yeah, that was something.’ And it’s not just about the playlist. But yeah, of course, I’m sure you’ll hear what you’ve come to hear, for sure.
Krystal: Yeah. As a huge music fan, I go to a lot of live music myself, and I always take a moment when I’m in a sea of people that I don’t know to stop and just look around and soak up the atmosphere and know that we are all together to see someone that we love on stage, singing to us on stage. Do you have a moment where you stop and think, ‘oh wow, all these people are here because they love your music and everything you’ve brought to us?’
Andrew: Yeah, I mean, even right at the beginning when I had released my first album and I did the first sort of — it was like a showcase concert in a club called The Marquee in London. And before then, I was really young and I was writing songs — I was living at my mum’s house and it was in my bedroom. All those songs were written in my bedroom and it was just a handful of people — the musicians and a couple of people that had heard the songs. And all of a sudden, they were public. I walked on stage and there were people there singing the lyrics back. And that was a real crazy moment of, ‘wow, they know the words!’ And that’s never got old for me. I still walk on stage sometimes and go, it’s crazy that someone would go out and buy a ticket and come see me, spend some of their time, and come and see me. I still don’t take that for granted. And the fact that we can share this thing that you have with a complete stranger.
Krystal: Yeah, it’s unbelievable to think that music brings so many people together in so many different ways. And there’s so many different types of music out there. Have you enjoyed being able to do different types of music?
Andrew: You know, I saw an interview once with Billie Eilish and the guy from Green Day — the lead singer, I can’t remember his name — but she was saying that she can’t imagine when he started out where you had to be so genre-specific. You had to be so strict because she’s obviously fluid with her styles of music, and that’s her sound, and it’s accepted today as the norm in a way. You know, no one’s got that — there’s not that same snobbery about, ‘well, you’re rock so you can’t move over and experiment.’ And I had that. I had that for a while where I allowed the audience to define me. And then I sort of woke up one day and went, ‘well, I listen to all types of music, and if it moves me, then it’s inspired me — even if I know it or not — and it’s going to creep into my sound.’ So now I’m really okay with just doing whatever feels good. I’m not analyzing that too much because you can really get into analysis paralysis, as I call it.
Krystal: Yeah, absolutely, I completely hear you on that. I was so excited to be able to do this interview with you. And I got to tell a few of my friends, I said, ‘I’m interviewing Roachford!’ and they gave me a bit of a funny look, and I said, ‘Only To Be With You.’ And then they gave me stare — I started singing Lay Your Love On Me a little bit, not that I can sing — and they’re like, ‘Oh my goodness, I love Roachford!’ And it’s just those moments with your music, I stand back as a huge fan and I’m like, yeah, everybody really does know the music and can’t wait to see you here in Australia. Again, I’m telling absolutely everyone to come with me and come see you perform in Fremantle. Is there anything that we should know that you’re bringing to Australia with you to bring audiences to come in?
Andrew: I’m just — you know, some of my favorite performers from yesteryear, whether it be Michael Jackson, James Brown, or any of these people, they put 100% energy. And it’s the energy that’s coming from a place — it’s not just energy as in anger or… it’s literally your whole heart goes through the music out into the audience. And there’s a connection that happens. And it’s not just, ‘oh, we’re going to go, we’re going to see someone who’s on stage and he’s going to impress us or he’s not.’ It’s actually, you’re part of the concert, you’re part of it, and you are visible in it, in the sense that… and I think that is what really gets people going on my shows — is that it feels like a party atmosphere. Everyone’s involved.
Krystal: Absolutely. Some of the best concerts I have been to are ones where the artist on stage brings the audience into part of it — either by just speaking to us or making us feel like we are one with them. For instance, when I saw Dave Grohl on stage for the first time with the Foo Fighters, I still rave about that one day, and it was a few years ago now. Similar thing to how you’re speaking.
Andrew: Yeah, I mean, I’d love to do something with Dave Grohl just because I listen to what he says and everything. And in some ways we are kindred as far as his feeling about music and his purity. And it’s all… it’s not about — the music is bigger than you, you know? So when you say you’ve got friends that go, ‘oh yeah, Roachford,’ and then they know the music more than they know the name, if you know what I mean — to me, I’d rather people know my music than just being all crazy about me and not know that. Because the other way around is hell for me. If you know my music, you come to the show and you go, ‘oh, did he do this as well?’ I’m happy. I’m like, yeah, the music’s done its job.
Krystal: Absolutely. Alrighty, well thank you so much for speaking with me today. I cannot wait to see you when you do come to Perth next week. I hope that everybody comes out to see you, and I hope you enjoy your tour here.
Andrew: Thank you very much. I can’t wait.
Krystal: No problem. Thank you again. Take care.
Roachford will perform in Fremantle on May 16th 2025 to kick off his Australian tour. Tickets are available from Metropolis Touring. Don’t miss the chance to experience one of soul music’s most enduring voices live on stage.
About the Interviewer
Krystal lives and breathes music, finding her happy place in the sea of fans who come together to experience the magic of live performances. After attending her first concert—Justin Timberlake—her enthusiasm turned into a lifelong hobby. She has since seen over 100 of her favorite acts, including global superstars like KISS, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Usher, Nelly, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, along with Australian favorites like The Screaming Jets, The Angels, Birds of Tokyo, Cold Chisel, and Bliss & Eso—just to name a few—all in her home city of Western Australia. With this extensive concert experience, Krystal has developed a deep appreciation for the artistry behind live performances, gaining a unique perspective on the dedication and energy that goes into every show.
Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) are a source of news and features on live entertainment. SAM have been accredited to over 180 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), KISS, P!NK and Robbie Williams with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Albany as a music journalist
