Devin Townsend has begun rolling out a docu-series alongside coming singles from his record Empath, and now he's revealing the ensuing tour dates. Townsend just announced Empath Europe Volume 1 that begins this November, and which he says will feature less computers and click tracks. He adds he hopes to add a more improvisational feel to his live shows and that his live band has "the best players I can find."
It should be plenty interesting to see how Townsend interprets his back catalogue with this newfound freedom. Especially considering he's a damn good guitarist who knows the fretboard front to back. No word on who the live band is yet.
"After a year of intensive recording, mixing, and reflection, I have decided where I want to take the next level of my career as a live performer."
"I have had success and great memories from both the Devin Townsend as well as Strapping Young Lad, but now I am fortunate enough to be able to follow the muse where it currently leads. I am proud to announce that for the first 'band' tour of the Empath cycle, I am going to stretch my wings in ways I have not had the opportunity to do before and tour with a 'backing band' that can shift and morph as the music dictates instead of adhering to a click track. 'Empath Europe Volume 1' will be the first example of this, and the first tour will be in Europe (other territories to follow).
"I have spent considerable effort think about the things I wanted to do for these shows, and one thing I came out of DTP with was the awareness that I wanted to incorporate a more improvisational element to what I do. With the best players I can find, my plan is to interpret my back catalogue, as well as the 'Empath' material, in ways that may change nightly. Less computers, and less of a rigid structure. I want to use 'Volume 1' as a way to bring my music to people in a potentially new way. People playing music…
"I hope you will consider joining me at these concerts. As a performer, it's important to be able to be willing to react, and my hope is that each of these shows will be a unique experience.
"Thank you for allowing me to do what I do. See you there?"
Get the tour dates below.
Nov. 15 – Salle Pleyel, Paris, France
Nov. 16 – Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
Nov. 17 – 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
Nov. 18 – Gruenspan, Hamburg, Germany
Nov. 20 – Logomo, Turku, Finland
Nov. 21 – Cirkus, Helsinki, Finland
Nov. 23 – Münchenbryggeriet, Stockholm, Sweden
Nov. 24 – Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
Nov. 25 – Amager Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark
Nov. 27 – Astra, Berlin, Germany
Nov. 28 – Roxy, Prague, Czech Republic
Nov. 29 – A2, Wroclaw, Poland
Nov. 30 – Barba Negra, Budapest, Hungary
Dec. 02 – Simm City, Vienna, Austria
Dec. 03 – X Tra, Zurich, Switzerland
Dec. 06 – Academy, Dublin, Ireland
Dec. 07 – Limelight, Belfast, UK
Dec. 09 – SWG3 Galvanisers, Glasgow, UK
Dec. 10 – Albert Hall, Manchester, UK
Dec. 12 – Roundhouse, London, UK
Dec. 13 – Rock City, Nottingham, UK
