Jack Savoretti chats on his love for Newcastle as he joins Routes from LNER

Savoretti explains how travel experiences often feed directly into his songwriting, sharing personal stories from early childhood trips to Italy, to how breaks away now help him stay connected with his own children. Growing up between cultures, with an Italian father and a British born mother, and German and Polish grandparents, Savoretti explains how his upbringing influenced his perspective on travel and connection. Describing early family life Jack says:  

“Growing up, everyone had an accent. Everyone had a different way of doing things”. 

During the conversation, Savoretti reflects on places and trips including teenage interrailing trips across Europe that sparked his love of train travel, recalling how one journey began with eight friends but ended with just two after unexpected romances and spontaneous detours. Despite the change of plans, Savoretti described the experience as a “coming-of-age” moment that sparked his lifelong affection for train travel.

Jack said: “You could get off whenever you wanted. We’d be heading somewhere and suddenly see somewhere amazing and just jump off the train. That freedom is what I love about trains.”

The singer reveals one of his favourite touring destinations has been Newcastle, describing how the city holds a special place in his heart after supporting him during challenging periods and the warm welcome he has received. He says it is  like nowhere else he had been.

Jack Savoretti on Routes from LNER with Jenni Falconer:

• Chaotic teenage interrailing trips: Savoretti recalls travelling across Europe in the late 1990s, revealing that one trip began with eight friends and ended with just two after romances and spontaneous detours.
• The freedom of train travel: The singer credits those early journeys with sparking his lifelong love of trains and spontaneous travel. “We’d be heading somewhere and suddenly see somewhere amazing and jump off the train.”
• A multicultural upbringing: Growing up with an Italian father and British mother, Savoretti says being surrounded by different cultures helped shape his openness to travel and new experiences.
• Travel and songwriting: The artist explains that many of his songs are inspired by real experiences. “If I walk away from somewhere with a suitcase full of emotions, I know where to put it when I sit down with a guitar.”
• Family travel moments: Now a father of three, Savoretti says travelling with his children has become an important way for the family to reconnect between tours.
• Why Newcastle is special: Savoretti shares his affection for the city, revealing it supported him during difficult periods in his career and remains one of his favourite places to perform.

The Jack Savoretti episode is now available on all major podcast platforms, to watch on YouTube and listen onboard LNER trains. A special 'Quiet Coach' edition will be released next week.

Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.