J OE McElderry likes visiting new places. This is a bonus, because the Geordie singing star is currently at the start of a nationwide tour which will carry him through into the middle of the summer.
It will also bring the former X Factor winner to Dorking Halls – a venue he has not played before.
"A lot of the dates on this tour are new places which is quite exciting," the 22-year-old says excitedly when we catch up with him on the phone.
"You never know what to expect. My aim every night is to get the audience to a place where they are having an absolute blast and get them dancing, singing and also enjoying the slow songs.
"It is real mix of songs, on this show anyway."
The range of songs will come as no surprise to anyone who has followed Joe's career; in 2009 he won the sixth series of X Factor and had a number one single with The Climb.
Two years later he became a crossover star when he won the second series of Popstar To Operastar and he was the first ever X Factor contestant to release a fourth album.
So how do the two styles fit into one show?
"The show is a big show," Joe explains
"It is a big set of songs; of fast songs with choreography of slow songs with the opera – it's a big show.
"I've got to keep in good health."
Keeping in good health, as it turns out, is one of the biggest challenges for Joe; a self-confessed perfectionist who would be happy performing live every night of the year, he has to be disciplined and make sure he does not overdo it.
"Sometimes, I have to be strict with myself because I could sing in the soundchecks all day but I need to stop doing that," he admits.
"I have to save my voice. I have to not talk during the day which I find really hard because I am a chatterbox. So I have to not talk, no alcohol before the shows or after and rest, as much sleep as possible.
"I kind of work my day back to front so the night-time becomes the day almost."
Having been thrust into the public eye on X Factor and then catapulted into a new sphere of the music industry with his emergence as an opera singer, Joe has a unique perspective on the business.
And he is candid about how tough life as a musician can be.
"The music industry is a very competitive industry to be in," Joe says.
"No matter what music you are in you are going to have the rivalry, which is shame because I am not one of them people who goes [in for] all that rivalry stuff. I kind of think it is a big industry, everyone has their fans and supporters and everybody supports everybody."
He is also quick to dismiss reports of a feud with fellow X Factor star Olly Murs
"We stay in touch and we see each other now and again," Joe said.
"Everyone has this preconceived idea that we absolutely hate each other and that's never ever been the case. However it has been created and it's been whooped up into this thing. Same as people think me and Simon Cowell hate each other and it's really not the case. It's really not."
Rivalries aside, it is impossible to ignore that Joe has a golden touch when it comes to reality TV shows. On top of X Factor and Popstar To Operastar, he also won this year's inaugural edition of The Jump, Channel 4's winter sports reality show.
Is there a secret to his success?
"I try," he laughs. "I certainly try."
With the tour to focus on for the moment, Joe is not rushing into any new TV projects, but he knows what he would like to try in the future.
"I would love to mentor people in music, that would be fun," he says, after a pause.
"I would really enjoy that and hopefully there will be an opportunity down the line or in the near future where I could help other artists; people who are coming into the industry.
"There are not enough people who can put their arm around someone and really guide them through the early years."
But guiding others may be in Joe's future, for now it is back to rehearsals for the upcoming shows, where months of planning are finally paying off
"It all comes round so fast and before you know it, it is the day before the show and you are like 'oh my god I can't remember a thing'," he laughs.
"But touch wood it has gone well so far."
Joe McElderry appears at Dorking Halls on May 15. For details visit www.dorkinghalls.co.uk
