DJ Shadow: “The touring industry as we know it is one more global crisis away from extinction”

nme.com:

DJ Shadow has shared his thoughts on the current touring crisis, saying the industry is close to “extinction”.Writing on Facebook on Wednesday (November 20), DJ Shadow reflected on his recent tour, saying it was “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,” he added, highlighting an increase in costs associated with touring. “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.”He went on to highlight the physical impact of touring, saying: “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.”He concluded, writing: “So where does that leave us?