rOBsAWYER Back on Aussie turf! Euro tour success!

After a 4 week stint in Europe Sawyer returns home to Australia. Rob loaded the backpack, along with the new addition of a Mini Maton, for another adventure playing some ripper shows for the good people of France and Holland.

Sawyer landed in Paris for his first show, then up to Amsterdam to play Café Belgique. Possibly the tiniest and coolest bar he’s ever played. Joined by some of the gang from Ongetemd, and the rad Dutch mates he’s picked up along the way, it was a night of good tunes, good Belgium beers, and a crazy bike ride home to bed. Even managed to get to the bakery for a croissant before sleep!

Some well needed sleep, and then a train ride to Lille, France. For a last minute slot at Le Chti Festival. A big outdoor open-air stage, Sawyer gave it his all to startle an admiring crowd of new comers, passers by, and good old mates.

Then a long night bus to Geneva, where he was picked up by another bus to the French Alps to play the final event for The North Face Ski Challenge in Val Thorens. Open to all European residents—both boys and girls—between the ages of 12-18, The North Face Ski Challenge Tour is arguably the most important competition for younger skiers hoping to break into the circuit. The event promotes all mountain skiing, as each kid competes in both big-mountain freeride contests and slopestyle in the park. Sawyer hit the stage to play his tunes for the kids while they kicked back and had a traditional alp style meal of Tartiflette. So cheesy, so tasty!!

"I can’t thank the gang at The North Face enough for having me. Truly amazing people. Offering the ultimate hospitality, friendship, and motivation towards live original music. Such a great weekend! I made some amazing new friends from many different countries, got plenty of time to hit the slopes, and happily managed to not break any bones doing so! I haven’t really seen the winter in a while playing back to back tours in Australian Summer, and European Summer, so it was strangely refreshing to feel the cold.”


Reaching the end of the tour, another long bus ride north to play again for the new listeners in Lille, then Paris to play the OPA. And last but not least, a visit to Renne, in the Bretagne region. Sawyer played a last minute show at Memes Tra, on Rue La Soif. And then hopped into some good Bretagne cuisine such as Galette and Crępes amongst other tasty bits and pieces along the way. Then back to Paris and spread wings for the tiring flight home. An all round amazing four weeks of great music, good friends, and plenty of good food! Who could complain?

Massive thanks to all of the venues, hosts, families, and friends along the way! Good times to be had in the future.

Big ups to Maton Guitars!

With a crack his favorite acoustic, and a huge hole busted in the bottom of his spare, Maton Guitars kindly leant Rob a Mini Maton to take on the road with him. It definitely proved itself a commendable addition for any traveling musician! Good on’ya Maton!! visit www.maton.com.au

"People see me with a little guitar on stage when I'm setting up and giggle to themselves, like what's with the toy guitar that guys playing? And then they hear me play it! It sounds amazing, feels great to play, and its so handy for trekking around between planes, trains, buses, or even the old push bike in Amsterdam. I'm definitely stoked with my new little buddy on the road!"

Posted: 09/04/2009 by Rob Sawyer. (link)