Samantha White: Tour Manager and Multiple Award-Winning Audio Engineer Celebrates Three Decades on the Road
Samantha White is a multiple award-winning audio engineer and tour manager from Nottinghamshire, who has become a mainstay in the live music industry—trusted by global stars and respected artists across the touring world for her technical skill, leadership, and calm under pressure composure.
Now marking 10 years with Rick Astley and 15 years with Nicole Scherzinger, White has long been considered essential by artists as not just as a key part of the team, but as a friend. Her tour credits also include legends like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Solange, Charlie Puth, Alexandra Burke and many more.
Her career started in audio, but over the years, Samantha took on senior tour management roles, becoming the figure who holds it all together when the unexpected happens—which is often. She’s been recognised by the TPi Awards and Women in Live Music for her work, but it’s her day-to-day composure, attention to detail, and well known sense of humour that have made her a go-to in the business.
Who are you currently working with? And who have you worked with in the past?
At the moment, I’m on the road with Rick Astley (10 years and counting! He’s a Cosmic Ears Artist), Alexandra Burke (5yrs) - Also a Cosmic Artist, and Nicole Scherzinger (15 years, clearly we get on).
Over the years, I’ve also had, and for some, still do have the privilege of working with legends like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Beyonce & Solange, Charlie Puth, Cirque du Soleil, Kelly Rowland, Natalie Cole, Zig & Zag and many other amazing shows and people.
I’m so lucky to work with the very best people in our industry. Many whom i now feel blessed to call friends.
Basically, if it involves great music, a private jet, and the occasional crisis , I’m there with a macbook in one hand and a mobile phone in the other.
What music and/or artists do you like to listen to at the moment?
I’ll admit it, I’m not one of those people who has music blasting 24/7. I actually have to be in the right mood for it. I do enjoy some of the pop that’s out right now, Sabrina Carpenter’s new album? Zero skips. She absolutely cooked some pure bangers start to finish, great production!
But more often you’ll catch me with a podcast, talk radio, or an audiobook in my ears, especially if I’m out mountain biking.
It probably sounds like a strange confession from someone in the music industry, but I think that’s why music still feels special to me: when I put it on, it’s because I really want to listen.
*Reaches over and checks my current ‘Recently Played’ playlist: Raye, Andrea Bocelli, Kim Petras, Cardi B, Sabrina Carpenter and Scorpions - Wind of Change*
What exciting new music or shows have you got coming up?
Right now, I’m producing 'An Evening with Nicole Scherzinger' at the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall in NYC and into a few other select venues TBC (Shameless plug to watch this space), all of which are going to be really special nights.
After that, I’ll be spending early 2026 with Rick Astley on his UK arena tour, before heading out on a world tour with another artist, which takes us across the US, UK, Europe, and right through Asia and Oceania.
Realistically, this is going to take up most of the next 12 months. What a great schedule. I feel so lucky!
Which band or artist would you like to sing the soundtrack to your biopic?
Probably a mix of pink noise and test tones if we’re being accurate no?
My lack of answer, the fact i cant even imagine someone singing a soundtrack probably shows that i was destined to play my industry role in the shadows. ….. Oh Maybe something by The Shadows in that case!??!
What is the most important factor for you when choosing custom IEMs?
Comfort is key. If I’m wearing them for hours on end, they need to fit absolutely perfectly. Total isolation even when talking or smiling. Fit is absolutely the foundation.
Sound Quality is a close second, The have to sound amazing at all frequencies and volumes. I’m lucky and unlucky in the fact I own over 30 sets of IEMS. Sometimes i’d really like to listen to one model, but the artist pulls out a different set, So I’ll move over to a matching set to hear the same thing they do, But i might secretly be wishing I had the qualities of another model.
Thirdly, Reliability. Don’t even get me started ranting about crackly drivers, blocked tubes and intermittent cables.
What Cosmic Ears model are you currently using?
I’m currently using the C6A and the newer C8A.
The C6A’s fit me oh so perfect… they are so small and lightweight and because of their perfect fit, i’d often go to them before I grab IEMS costing 3-4 times more.
That said, my current ‘go-to’ pair is the C8A… Equally a great fit, probably not quite as comfortable as the C6A’s as they have a floppy cable not a bent wire support that wraps over the ears (I believe Cosmic have a cable called the 'Triple Twist' - though not strictly memory wire it can be shaped over the ear - you didn't hear that from me;).
The sound quality is amazing though. The C8A is the only IEM i’ve felt to rival and improve on the JH13v2pro (considered the industry benchmark balancing cost vs performance, in my opinion)
I’ve done well over 100 shows on my C8A’s and not had a single problem, not even a cable failure. Awesome!
How would you describe the sound of your Cosmic’s in 3 words?
Clear. Punchy. Honest.
Why do you trust Cosmic Ears?
How do you trust anything before trying them out personally, You find other people you trust in the industry and you ask their truthful opinion. Then i listened to a set for a few shows, then I migrated an entire tour of people over to them. 2 years later and no known issues, barring the occasional destroyed cable and i’m the one giving the opinion. I feel humbled that i’m trusted enough in the industry that my opinion helps others to make informed decisions, and sometimes to take chances costing money.
Another reason for me to trust Cosmic is that I feel supported. When things go wrong (and they do) everyone looks to me to ‘fix the problem’. I know that i’m supported when i can get a fast helpful response with just a single phone call or email to their artist and customer support team.
What words of wisdom do you have for anyone reading this story?
Don’t settle for cheap imitation generic Amazon sponsored IEM’s… Your ears and your music deserve better.
Follow Samantha on social media:
www.instagram.com/thecoolbeans
