Schwarz – CRAZY TOUR STORIES

In this Crazy Tour Stories segment, the pop artist, Schwarz, talks about some of his crazy moments from touring. You can check out the feature, after the break.

A while ago I played a show in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. La Paz is located around 3600 m above sea level, making it the highest capital city in the world. No greater sport event ever took place there, because the air lacks so much oxygen that running a few meters would leave you totally exhausted. In fact, I heard that the conditions there are so rough, that they’re perfect for a training camp for athletes.

Arriving there I felt dizzy and I could hardly stand, showing heavy symptoms of altitude sickness. Even the coca tea that they offered all over the city against nausea didn’t help. Not to mention the taste that reminded me of rotten eggs. After spending the whole afternoon in my room with an oxygen mask as my only companion, I was taken to the venue where the concert was supposed to happen. Arriving there I collapsed. The rest was like a film: a hospital. Saline drip. Lying on a stretcher in a dark room and wondering how I got there. Someone switching on the lights saying: „Time to go!“. Back in the car. Back at the venue. Hundreds of people. Going on stage. Singing. Applause. Going off the stage. More applause. Then just sleeping.

Of course, I can hardly remember any detail of the concert, but people told me that it wasn’t a bad one. Since then, anytime I feel a glimpse of stage fright I remind myself of that day when things looked pretty messy but worked out just fine and somehow it makes me relax and smile. As a performer, I can say that this experience has made my life a lot easier.

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(Photo credit: Christoph Eisenmenger)