Steve Lawler’s Viva tour diary: Part One

Steve Lawler’s Viva tour diary: Part One

22 October, 2008 | 3.25PM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: audiofly, tiefschwarz

On October 16th Steve Lawler and Audiofly embarked on the maiden gig of a thirteen-date North American tour in Montreal.

Taking in dates right across the continent, the British-based artists will be bunking up until October 28th when German brothers-in-arms Tiefschwarz will join Lawler for a performance in Albuquerque and then for the remaining four dates.

Seizing the chance to throw a little creative curve-ball into the mix, the tour bus has been fully equipped with with studio facilities to accommodate the DJ/producers’ musical urges between gigs.

The aim is to get an EP locked down for release on Viva music before the end of the tour, but, as you will read below in Steve Lawler’s first exclusive diary entry for Beatportal, life on the road is tough…

Day 1

We arrive in Montreal all a little jaded as none of us managed to get much sleep. Still smiling, we all head to our hotel rooms for food and showers then straight off to the club.

The first gig in Montreal was at my regular joint, Tribe. Anton, the resident DJ for Tribe, opened the room up beautifully with Audiofly following and then my self.

Standout tracks of the night would have been Audiofly’s mix of M.A.N.D.Y., O Superman and SIS’s Trompeta and Kalimba.

It was a great party, with the usual dedicated music crowd of Montreal and the party massive.

Ended up back at a house party till we eventually got on the bus en-route to Toronto.

Highs? The music & people.

Lows? A Mexican guy called Alex, told me I wasn’t nice anymore and that I was a c**t!!

When confronting him I found out it was all because I didn’t shake his hand one time four years ago in Ibiza! This is unfortunately the business we’re in.

It won’t be the first time and I imagine it certainly wont be the last. I guess some people forget we are human and meet thousands of people every year, and sometimes you don’t get chance to shake everyone’s hand or give everyone time.

Day 2

The bus arrives in Toronto. Jose, the promoter, meets us very excited about the show as we all are. We all managed to get around three hours sleep in, so we were refreshed enough for the night of fun and frolics ahead.

Again, Anton opened the room for us (we brought him over to Toronto for our warm-up) and Audiofly did an amazing job taking it to the next level and leaving room for me to come in and do my thing.

I started with David K’s new track on Freak N Chic, followed by Korgi Morgi and Nyra’s ‘Tongue’.

The music moved from the deep house sounds of Anton through to the deep, dark and rumblin’ sounds of the ‘Flys right through to the percussive onslaught of my drums and funk-fringed techno. 

What we have found out just off the first couple of gigs is that musically the programming is as smooth as a peach, from beginning to end.

It was a great party with one of my favourite crowds in the world. I have a deep love for Toronto and the scene that has developed over the years.

Day 3

We all had to part ways and leave the bus to get to Denver. Myself and Dave Beynon (the tour manager) took a direct flight into Denver whereas the ‘Flys had to drive over the border, get a flight from Buffalo to Charlotte and then to Denver - ouch!

They arrived still on good form with bright and breezy smiles. Audiofly got to the club an hour late and were gutted when they saw how good the club is with its amazing sound system.

I would say it was the best Funktion 1 sound I have ever heard. The party in Denver was amazing. Highlights of the night were ‘Spells Of Yoruba’ by Gel Abril, ‘Chalkee’ by myself & Alex Tepper, and ‘Dios’ by Huntemann & Dubfire.

After the club myself, Dave and Ant (Luca went home to see his teady bear) went to a house party at a guy called Kevin’s pad - what a place!

We met lots of cool peeps from the Beatport crew. This is the kind of thing that we love when you meet a bunch of genuine music lovers and share good times.

We eventually got out of there when the sun was kissing our eyeballs through our sunglasses!

Day 4

Off to the airport almost broken. Sunglasses on, heads down, and nothing but silence to assist us on the journey. Only four days in and we’re all now in desperate need for just one full night of sleep.

There has been no fighting (yet!) but it has to be said there is a very nice vibe between us all. We have all known each other for several years now, so I’m sure these down time moments help.

We arrive in Chicago absolutely delirious; out of our minds, in fits of laughter, talking absolute shit. Dino the promoter looks at us very worried for the night ahead!

It is now Sunday so we’re not expecting much, but we all arrive to a full Spy Bar with people waiting to hear the sounds.

We have to deliver, go straight out of the club and back to meet the bus. We have all been missing the bus after the hassle of the last couple of days going through airports..

We’ve now been on for around 24 hours going through the midwest still en-route to next destination – Las Vegas!

We’ll be back soon.. xx

[Denver image courtesy of Westword]

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