At first listen, Michael Passenger—who performs under his last name—sounds akin to a mix of Ray LaMontagne, Marcus Mumford, and Ed Sheeran. Even this comparison, however, fails to do justice to his unique musical style.

There’s something hauntingly familiar, yet unplacable about his vocals, which could lead you to spend an entire concert wondering exactly who he reminds you of. Although raspy and soulful, his voice is also higher-pitched and borderline nasal at times all of which contributes to his signature, accessible sound.

Passenger’s unique vocals are matched by a mastery of guitar that shifts from raucous and upbeat to slow and steady as his set progresses, creating an energetically folksy vibe that feels both like a campfire and a house party, all in one show. For songs like “Let Her Go” and “Travelling Alone,” Passenger asks the audience to dial back the noise with him, which creates an intimate atmosphere and gives him the space he needs to demonstrate exactly what he can do vocally—his switch to a cappella in “Let Her Go” was a show-stopper.

Like Ed Sheeran, who is headlining the tour, Passenger opts for crowd participation during his faster songs, and has everyone screaming along by the second chorus. The show was thoroughly enjoyable, performed by a truly professional talent who seemed genuinely excited and humbled to be on stage.

Passenger’s latest album, All The Lights, can be found on iTunes.