November 2024 - Tour Blog

 

The final big tour of the year is over, which is hard to believe. 2024 was my busiest year in almost a decade, having played nearly one hundred shows around the world. This was what I had been waiting for ever since COVID squashed the 2020 dates. And yet, my perceptions of this tour were decidedly different from prior runs, in both positive and negative ways. I found myself constantly weighing the changes, not only as they affect me, but other musicians and the touring industry as a whole.

I’ll start with the positive. Obviously, it’s been great to be back out there and exhibiting the craft of DJing while representing my music. When I played Montreal last month, the club owner said, “We book DJs all the time, and I’ve never seen live scratching before.” That statement blew me away, but also reminded me that at every show, I’m potentially altering people’s perceptions of what a DJ is and does, hopefully in a way that honors the legacy of those who came before me. Simultaneously, I’ve also noticed an uptick in people referencing me from the audience as “a legend.” I take it as a compliment of course, but it’s also a paradox...I still think of myself as a student, a disciple to my peers I consider more masterful than I. But increasingly, others see me for what I represent externally: someone over the age 50 who has endured, who’s still grinding while so many others have fallen away.

Which brings us to the other side of the coin. At my age, touring ain’t as easy as it used to be. There’s aches and pains that didn’t used to be there, and it takes a total commitment to conserve energy for the show; not always easy when sleep or nourishment become disrupted. It’s also WAY more expensive to get from point A to point B. I joke about it with my crew sometimes, but it’s true: almost all of my money goes to the travel sector. And yet, I’m also aware that many of the venues I played this year are struggling financially. I don’t think it’s an over exaggeration to say that the touring industry as we know it is one more global crisis away from
extinction.

So where does that leave us? Well, for myself, I can only control my own thoughts and actions. I still love touring, still love making music. After the Australia and Japan dates next February, it’ll be time to build something new, and when I’m ready to head back out, I hope the promoters, venues, and fans will still be there. Until then, I’ll continue to appreciate every opportunity as it comes...and maybe check out a show or two to remind myself what a precious and powerful thing live entertainment can be.

DJ Shadow,
November, 2024