Tag Archives: Perception

Review: Scream Bus Tour Slaying at the Lizard Lounge in Dallas

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Operation: Unicorn Slayer
Review of Markus Schulz – Lizard Lounge Dallas Show April 19, 2013

I boarded the plane to Dallas with high anticipation and excitement knowing that I was going to see Markus Schulz perform. This was my first Markus Schulz show, and it will not be my last. I posed with the SchulzArmy flag before the doors opened for the night and people really were receptive to me. I felt like a rock star or something like that. I got my ticket and went in shortly after 9.

The Lizard Lounge, for those who have never been, is a great club. The atmosphere is very gothic and full of energy. The staff was extremely nice to me. I managed to get a sneak peek of the Scream World Tour Merchandise (at that moment, we were not allowed to purchase anything yet as they were still getting situated). Having the SchulzArmy flag certainly made me feel proud. I had pictures galore taken of me holding it.

Being that the main floor wasn’t open just yet, we were ushered into the video room and was instantly greeted by monitors blazing visuals set to the music. I considered that a warm up of sorts.

Finally! We were all told that we could enter the main floor and we were allowed to purchase merchandise. First of all, I hit the merchandise area and purchased the Unicorn Slayer shirt, Markus Schulz tank top, and also a Scream CD for him to sign after the show. After I paid for the goodies ($45), I went to the main floor.

The local DJs who were in support of the show (Kids With Weapons, Johnny Funk) went first. Their sets were pretty good, but more techno styled mixed with familiar dance tunes. They played for a while for sure. During the Kids With Weapons set, the sound went out causing the crowd to be unhappy. The DJ looked mortified, but once the sound came back, the club was hopping again!

The M Machine Scream Bus Tour Dallas Lizard Lounge

The M Machine was next to perform. Now, I am not too familiar with their music, but I was highly impressed by their set. The music was brilliant. Lots of complex layers and sounds, highs, lows, and everything in between. On the LED screen, The M Machine’s logo was bright and bold. They apparently designed the graphics for the show. I have to say that the graphics had an industrial, Pink Floyd – The Wall, feel to them. People were having a great time!

Next, the Unicorn Slayer himself went on stage. The crowd went NUTS. When Markus said that the LED screen was so bright that it could give someone a suntan, he was not lying! His logo flashed brightly across the screen followed by the Scream World Tour logo. I felt the heat coming off that screen. Maybe I should have packed sunscreen as well?

His set was magical. He played Scream, Caught, Tempted, Fusion, Love Rain Down, Loops n Tings, Perception, and the ASOT 600 Anthem – The Expedition and other tunes. Someone was bouncing this gigantic orange/red inflatable dinosaur throughout the crowd. Markus managed to take this dino (more like confiscated it) and put his headphones on it. I never thought I would witness a Markus Schulz b2b with DJ Dino.

Markus Schulz Scream Bus Tour Lizard Lounge

A fan next to me threw a luchador mask at Markus. Markus was so happy that he put it on and continued his show for a few minutes before taking it off. The fan was so excited that he and I hopped up and down in happiness and I handed out #SchulzArmy bracelets to him and his friends.

Another highlight of the show was all these inflatable unicorns in the show. I have no idea where they all got them, but they were cute. Markus was handed one during the show, but he gave it right back to the fan.

Adina Butar was there for Caught. Her long hair was up in a high, sleek ponytail and she wore a USA themed bra with black leather looking leggings and her spiked heels. She is so beautiful, angelic even. During the song, she twirled, danced, and even blew kisses to me twice! Being that she is my favorite trance vocalist, I was totally blown away by that. I love her even more now!

Markus Schulz Scream Bus Tour Lizard Lounge

The end of his set was shortly after. I managed to get to the area where he was doing autographs and meeting fans. When I met him, I felt at ease. He made me feel important. I had him sign my SchulzArmy flag, Fluffy, the unicorn, the Scream CD, and a book. I also gave him my #SchulzArmy bracelet! I asked if Adina could come see me and Markus motioned for her to come down the stairs. I was about to take a picture of her and she told me that isn’t the way it is done. She took my camera, came up close to me, and took the picture herself of us. I told her that she was beautiful and she told me that I was too. Before I left, I made sure to give Markus a gigantic hug. Trust me, I did not even care that he was sweaty. I made sure to tell him thank you for being who he is.

I didn’t stick around for much of KhoMha’s set, but the beginning was spectacular. Needless to say, he has an incredible future ahead of him. Markus knows talent when he sees it!

Some of the crowd went outside to this hot dog vendor to get some hot dogs, water, snacks, etc… I met Ben Swardlick of The M Machine. He bought everyone hot dogs and cut up with us for a while. Funny guy!

Bottom line is this; Markus Schulz really is an amazing person. I am super glad to be a fan of his. I am even more grateful that he treats his fans like they are all special and important. His blue eyes sparkle and his smile is infectious. He says he finds inspiration from his fans. Well, after this set, he has inspired me.

Over 25 Things We Learned During Tuesdays Markus Schulz Twitter Chat

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On the eve of the Scream Bus Tour there was a twitter question and answer session with Markus Schulz and just like the last one, below is a round up of what was discussed. It’s nowhere near as long but just as informative.

When asked about any surprises for Boston he said, “I have a couple of things I’ve been holding back on to debut on the tour.”

It was confirmed that the June 29, 2013 set in Toronto will definitely be open to close. The club announcement and flyer only said “marathon set” which had some people skeptical that it would be a true open to close. This will be the first open to close in the Canadian city.

Someone asked, on a scale of 1 to David Hasselhoff, how excited are you to finally be doing a marathon set in Toronto June 29th? Markus replied, “I ran faster than the Hoff in his red speedos when I found out.” Get that vision in and out of your head now?

How deep will the rabbit hole go in Toronto? The answer, “as long as plenty hang around then we’ll go deep as we want.” I’ve been to The Guvernment a lot in the past almost 13 years and it can get dark in the early morning hours. The lights go down and the lasers go on.

You know where he hasn’t played an open to close yet? New York City. He said, “that’s one of my top priorities to finally accomplish – open to close in NYC.”

Will he play until 10am on May 11 at Avalon in LA?  “As long as plenty of you guys are down to hang, then we’ll go as long as possible.” He also said that he’ll be playing at least 6 hours.

Didn’t get tickets for that Avalon gig? No worries. “They only sell half as presales, so get there early on the night and you can get in.”

On the topic of open to close sets he was asked about Ruby Skye open to close in 2013 and the reply was, “I owe the SF crew an open to close after Superbowl night. Got to make it happen.”

Markus will not be at Electric Daisy Carnival New York but there is a possibility of Electric Zoo.

Most memorable festival show?  “EDC Vegas last year was so unpredictable, but it was a night I’ll be telling stories about for years to come.”

Speaking of Vegas. Will he be at Electric Daisy Carnival 2013 in Las Vegas? I think it’s safe to say that’ll be a yes. He was asked if he may be returning and the reply was, “we have unfinished business, the wind will not win.”

How was the Chicago gig on April 5, 2013? “Amazing. Sold out and arguably best ever gig in the city. Can’t wait to come back and do it all again at EDC.”

All time favorite track? “Perception is very special to me because the original is my all time favorite dance track”

Favorite track of the moment, “ID – ID. He’s on fire.”

Favorite club in the USA?  “Impossible to name just one, but Avalon, Space, Mansion, Pacha, Castle, Ruby Skye, Marquee + Echostage all amazing.”

If he could collaborate with anyone in the world alive or dead who would it be? “The original Pink Floyd lineup.”

He was asked, how PLUR are you?  “I respect the hell out of anyone who takes time in their life to support me.”

How amazing was it the first time you heard one of your songs being played in a dj’s set? “It was surreal. One of my proudest moments was having my Edge Factor remix of Jayn Hanna’s Lost Without You on Expeditions.”

Was the circular stage at Pop2013 disorienting to DJ from? Did it help you interact with the crowd? “it was certainly different, but definitely a unique way to perform. Cool that you see different sets of fans on each side.”

Gabriel and Dresden Markus Schulz Pop2013

A New World Punx album? Markus answered, “Not likely. Albums are always very stressful to make and even more so when it’s not a singular vision. Want to keep project fun”

Another track with KhoMha? “You never know what ideas we might concoct during this tour.”

Biggest triumph in the past? “I would say probably breaking the Top 100 in DJ Mag because I never expected it to happen.”

Does Markus still break dance? “I do but I can’t do the complexity of the moves that the kids do nowadays.”

Weirdest thing seen in life? “There was a period where so many go-go dancers were falling off stage at festivals. It was quite scary!”

Seattle isn’t feeling any love from the Scream Bus Tour but Markus assured the city, “making plans for Seattle in the summer, you have my word.”

That’s all for this session! Thanks to Markus for connecting with every one of us again. Make sure to use the hashtag #ScreamBusTour and of course #SchulzArmy on Twitter.