Following a string of coveted festival appearances, sold-out headlining 2022 shows, and esteemed record releases, South African DJ and producer Kyle Watson is pleased to announce his forthcoming 12-date ‘My Machines’ tour. Kicking off in Tempe, Arizona in September and wrapping up in Denver, Colorado in late October, Watson will be presenting his brand-new show concept in some of the United States’ most venerated venues. The run will mark his first official U.S. tour since his ‘Into The Morning’ tour in 2018, which accompanied the release of his debut album.
In his ‘My Machines’ tour, Watson aims to tap into this expansive collection to develop a specially curated all-original Kyle Watson DJ set. Each show will feature a blend of the fresh and familiar, the old and the new, and a dash of personal edits and VIP mixes that have remained exclusive to his collection throughout his tenure as an artist. Alongside the auditory component of the experience, Watson has put together a visual element and brand that echoes the concept of ‘My Machines’ including custom visuals.
Tickets for the ‘My Machines’ tour are now available.
Welcome Kyle Watson, we’re glad to hear from you again since your “Top 6 Reasons Why CRSSD is a Must” piece and your CRSSD Exclusive Mini Mix. Tell us what’s been keeping you busy lately. Any new hobbies you’ve picked up?
Is procrastinating a hobby? Ha! Since we spoke last we’ve moved house and still going through the motions of getting set up living in a different country. I’m writing music in a new room which is always exciting so I’ve been really busy with new music. And of course, I’ve finally committed to the new ‘My Machines’ tour which was supposed to happen in 2020 before the world got turned upside down.
“I’m writing music in a new room which is always exciting so I’ve been really busy with new music.”
New house, new flow. Kyle finds peace and creativity in his new space.
Read Next: Kyle Watson Shares His Top 6 Reasons Why CRSSD is a Must
For 15 years you’ve been growing your personal catalog and discography. From this long journey of yours, what’s been your most surreal moment as an artist? What’s been the good and the bad?
There have been a few, but getting a number one single back in 2015 on local radio when I was living in South Africa was a moment I won’t forget. To be honest, any time I stand up on stage at a festival is pretty surreal as well and something I’ll never take for granted. I wouldn’t say there have been any really bad moments but the amount of travel is definitely the less glamorous side of this career. When is someone going to invent teleportation?!
“Any time I stand up on stage at a festival is pretty surreal as well and something I’ll never take for granted. I wouldn’t say there have been any really bad moments but the amount of travel is definitely the less glamorous side of this career.”
Creating a stage presence at any festival is always an unforgettable and wild experience.
Photo credit: @cameramanoscar
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Also adding onto your musical journey is your ‘MY MACHINES’ tour going from September till the end of October. Congrats on having your calendar full, you’re definitely going to kill it on stage as always. Can you walk us through your mental and physical health routine when it comes to long tours such as this one?
I think the balance between traveling and quality time at home with the people you love is really important, so I don’t usually do tour runs longer than 3 weekends at a time. If I do I make sure to break it up so I can get back home for a bit, but I’m also very lucky in that my wife often tours with me which really helps. On the physical health front, I could definitely be doing more! The gym is really not my vibe but we do try to get out into each city for a bit to escape the hotel and explore.
“I think the balance between traveling and quality time at home with the people you love is really important, so I don’t usually do tour runs longer than 3 weekends at a time.
On the physical health front, I could definitely be doing more! The gym is really not my vibe but we do try to get out into each city for a bit to escape the hotel and explore.”
Focusing on self-care is key to a balanced life.
Photo credit: @ryvnsam
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Speaking of tours, you’ve performed at CRSSD Festival, Lightning In A Bottle, and Brazil’s So Track Boa in 2022. As a DJ, what is something about performing at these festivals that keeps inspiring you? For CRSSD, what is about the festival that you enjoy personally? Any festival must-haves that you can’t live without?
The scale of festivals like that is inspiring. I think what gets me the most is that I’ve written these tracks in a little room somewhere on the other side of the world and now I’m playing them to thousands of people standing in front of me. It’s a crazy feeling when you think of how many years you’ve put into building your art and now you’re playing something you made, watching people react on that scale. CRSSD has a special place in my heart since it was the first show I ever played in the U.S., and every time I’ve gone back it’s just got better and better.
“I think what gets me the most is that I’ve written these tracks in a little room somewhere on the other side of the world and now I’m playing them to thousands of people standing in front of me.
It’s a crazy feeling when you think of how many years you’ve put into building your art and now you’re playing something you made, watching people react on that scale.”
Having creativity appreciated and shared on a grand scale will always be a rewarding experience for any artist.
We’re looking forward to seeing where your projects will lead you. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Well like I said, I’ve been very busy in the studio working with a lot of great vocalists and songwriters prepping a project which I’m super excited to share. I don’t want to say too much yet…but you’ll hear a lot of it on the tour which I’m extremely excited about!
‘MY MACHINES’ TOUR DATES:
16 Sep: Sunbar, Tempe
17 Sep: Life Is Beautiful, LV
23 Sep: Stereo Live, Houston
29 Sep: The Grand, Boston
30 Sep: To Be Announced
1 Oct: Concord Music Hall, Chicago
13 Oct: Monkey Loft, Seattle
14 Oct: The Midway, SF
15 Oct: To Be Announced
21 Oct: Beach House, San Diego
22 Oct: Summit, Denver
Connect with Kyle Watson: Website丨SoundCloud丨Facebook丨Twitter丨Beatport丨Instagram
