So it’s been over a month now since Soulwax finished their 2024 tour. They played 16 shows (and 1 try out) in 5 countries in a short span of 3 weeks.
A new Soulwax tour is always something to look forward to. Probably because they haven’t toured a lot in the last decade. In 2016 the band made their spectacular return, with a new live setup that was called ‘Transient Program For Drums And Machinery’. I was very lucky to have been involved in that from the beginning, seeing it evolve from the first rehearsal at Vooruit in their hometown in Ghent to the amazing live show that was a hit at the festivals in 2016 and 2017.
It all came to a halt due to Covid but lo and behold: a European tour was announced in the fall of 2023.
I got a first look at the new live setup during their only try out, at Wintercircus in Gent. The live set had evolved but largely remained the same with the three drummers as part of the band. Victoria Smith, who plays the drums in the live band of the ABBA experience in London, was replaced by Aurora Bennett. While the rest of the band remained the same.
The eye-catcher of the show, besides the drummers, were the new and custom built controllers on the stage for Dave, Steph and Stefaan.
There were a few other suprises in the set: 4 new and amazing songs (Hot Like Sahara, Idiots In Love, Polars and New Earth Time) and one unexpected comeback from their past: Conversation Intercom! Though they only played it three times on this tour..
In total I got to see 7 shows and each show they were getting better. The last show I saw was at the wonderfull Roundhouse in London and it was the best!
pictures by Ben Houdijk
Leave a Reply