SG Lewis: AI can’t replicate live music’s human connection

British singer-songwriter and DJ SG Lewis has lifted the lid on touring with Rufus Du Sol, ‘expressive’ Aussie crowds and why AI can never take away the enjoyment of live music.

Sydney electronic music stars Rufus Du Sol performing at Qudos Bank Arena. Picture: @jordankmunns

Supporting Grammy Award winning trio Rufus Du Sol on one of the biggest electronic tours to hit Australia has been an eye opening experience for SG Lewis.

The singer-songwriter and DJ has collaborated with global megastars including Elton John, Dua Lipa and Robyn, but says the scale of the latest tour shows how rare the three-piece group’s level of success is in dance music.

“To get to experience touring at the level that Rufus Du Sol are at has been eye opening and super inspiring … because they have built their touring business to heights that not many acts in electronic music reach,” Lewis told Confidential.

“Selling out three arenas on the bounce in major cities in Australia — it’s popstar level numbers.”

Rufus Du Sol’s triumphant homecoming tour sold comfortably more than 100,000 tickets and included three nights at Sydney’s 21,000 capacity Qudos Bank Arena on November 20.

SG Lewis supporting Rufus Du Sol on their homecoming tour. Picture: Chloe Kim

Lewis says Australian crowds are expressive.

“The Australian crowds are naturally so much more expressive,” he said.

“They’re loud so it’s a really fun crowd to play to because they are giving you as much as you’re giving them.”

Supporting one of the biggest bands in Australia also poses challenges however.

“It’s definitely a different experience because you feel they’re there for Rufus. So there’s kind of a task at hand to win them over.”

Rufus Du Sol’s latest tour sold over 100,000 tickets in Australia. Picture: @jordankmunns

With the threat of AI looming over so many creative industries, Lewis says performing live still offers musicians some security.

“I believe live music so far is a space that is protected from AI because it’s really about the human connection. It’s about a real life experience.

“[On the tour] Rufus have shown there’s 20,000 people in that arena tonight and most of them are there because they’ve heard a piece of music that’s made them feel a human experience of some kind.

The tour’s Australian leg included a three‑night run at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: @jordankmunns.

“AI is never going to be able to figure out that human connection.

“AI, in my eyes, is essentially like the world’s most advanced plagiarism machine … Sure it’s intelligent. But it’s only able to do things referencing human creation.

“The value in a piece of music, to me anyway, is the human involvement.”

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Originally published as SG Lewis: AI can’t replicate live music’s human connection