CNTRL: A College Campus Tour (North American Bus Tour)

Feb – April 2015 | Project Lead & Tour Manager

Featured artists (alphabetic order): Chris Liebing, Dantiez Saunderson, Dubfire, Ean Golden, Francois Kevorkian, Grimes, Justin James, Lee K, Marc Houle (live), Matador, Mateo Murphy, Matrixxman, Matthew Dear, Richie Hawtin, Victor Calderone.

The 2nd edition of the CNTRL College Tour span over eight North American cities in 11 days, each with a college lecture during the day and a DJ club show at night, plus an additional demo area at the colleges for our brand partners to exhibit their products.

The tour consisted of two tour busses and a total touring party of up to 22 persons, including brand partners from Point Blank, Native Instruments, Pioneer, Roland and others, our technical production crew, a photographer, a videographer and a changing cast of artists.

After coordinating and advancing the first tour on my own, I now had help from my team at the booking agency (logistics manager, logistics assistant, production manager) for the advancing process. Further I handled the US work visa application for the whole team.

As Tour Manager I coordinated everything and everyone on ground and ensured that things ran smoothly. In the case of a problem, a solution had to be found and decisions made. I also looked after the tour budget.

15 Apr, 2015 Boston, MA (US)
Lecture: Berklee Performance Center
Show: Middle East Downstairs

16 Apr, 2015 Penn State, PA (US)
Lecture: Penn State Center for the Performing Arts
Show: Levels

17 Apr, 2015 New York City, NY (US)
Lecture: Alvin Johnson / JM Kaplan Hall
Show: Webster Hall

18 Apr, 2015 Montreal, QC (CAN)
Lecture: Concordia University
Show: New City Gas

19 Apr, 2015 Toronto, ON (CAN)
Lecture: University of Toronto
Show: Coda

22 Apr, 2015 Seattle, WA (US)
Lecture & show: Neptune Theatre

24 Apr, 2015 San Francisco, CA (US)
Lecture: San Francisco State University
Show: DNA Lounge

25 Apr, 2015 Los Angeles, CA (US)
Lecture: UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
Show: The Hollywood Palladium

In 2012, CNTRL established a groundbreaking model of daytime lectures on music, technology, and their intersection and nighttime performances that proved to be a first for the genre. Now, that template expands and evolves for 2015, hitting more markets across the country along the way. Once again, the brand allows attendees a new kind of insight into the music in addition to a powerful and potent concert that literally places the day’s words in motion.

This time around, the enlightening musical happening confidently lives up to its title of “Individuality & Creativity In Technology-Based Music.” Featuring Ean Golden of DJ Tech-Tools as seminar moderator, the day basically functions as a college for future electronic music stars. Guitar Center in the USA and Moog Audio in Canada will run a five hour technology marketplace, offering students exclusive discounts on participating brands while lectures are happening. Each sponsor will be unveiling and flaunting new products.

Technology companies participating are: AIAIAI / Beatport / DJ Techtools / Funktion One / Little Bits / Livid / Pioneer / Roland / Splice / Subpac / Traktor (Native Instruments)

At the centrepiece of CNTRL: Individuality & Creativity In Technology-Based Music, there is an hour-long masterclass produced and hosted by one of the world’s premier electronic music schools Point Blank Music School. The day culminates on a discussion with RICHIE HAWTIN, Ean, and DJs at each respective date as well as special guest speakers. For example, Grimes will join the tour for a discussion in Los Angeles. As Claire Boucher, she has performed at Hawtin’s Enter.Ibiza in the past. At night, attendees get to witness everything come to life during a fiery gig by CNTRL’s namesake and a myriad of top artists and revolving line-up depending on the city.

Watch the summary videos:

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