Q&A with Brian McFadden plus new music of the week

The former member of Westlife visits South Africa this month as part of his Soul Jam world tour. Brian, who left the Irish boyband in 2004, has found success as a solo artist, most recently branching out into soul.

Catch him on 16 November at Platteland in Centurion, Gauteng, and on 17 and 18 November at Spier Amphitheatre outside Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. This isn’t your first time in SA. Why do you keep coming back? I love the people and the atmosphere. The people in SA have a unique energy, which is why I also keep coming back for holidays.

The wine farms and golf courses are always on my schedule! What can fans expect from your show? A lot of classic hits from soul legends such as Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Sam Cooke.

We will of course be playing some of the Westlife favourites – it’s 90 minutes of hits. You’re currently working on a soul album. Tell us more? My musical tastes have definitely changed. I’m 38 now and love old soul so the album is a reflection of that.

I was fortunate to get amazing vocalists to work with me on it, such as Mica Paris, Andrew Strong and SA singer Zolani Mahola. The first two singles were released towards the end of October. Are you still in touch with the Westlife guys? I haven’t spoken to the guys in years – we all have our own lives and we’re very busy, but I do wish them well on their new tour.

‘The people in SA have a unique energy, which is why I keep coming back’