Experience Will Clarke’s Midnight Mass Tour: A Rewarding Leap of Faith

Midnight Mass is a groundbreaking and reflective album, with its live tour enhancing its emotional resonance.

Will Clarke’s Midnight Mass Tour takes his titular album to extraordinary levels, a delicate achievement expertly realized. Will’s stage charisma and energy showcase his passion and connection to each song, seamlessly woven together for the audience. With devoted support from his team, the Grammy-nominated artist infused his creativity into every aspect of his live show.

Halfway through his six-stop tour, the former Detroit resident returned to a beloved and nostalgic venue. Under one of Detroit’s first snowfall evenings, fans gathered at Magic Stick, eager for a shared musical experience.

Before his performance, we relaxed in the cozy green room to discuss the album, live touring, and more. Press play on Midnight Mass and delve into the world of Will Clarke.

**Listen to Will Clarke – Midnight Mass on Spotify**

As a former resident of Detroit, how does it feel to return and perform at the Magic Stick?

I lived here for about six years, so it’s always special to come back because I love this city. The snow today is just the icing on the cake. That’s the charm of Detroit.

What motivated you to release your debut album at this stage in your career?

I grew up listening to Chemical Brothers, Faithless, and Moby. They influenced me deeply, and I always wanted to create an album, but I didn’t feel ready to write the music. After returning to DJing post-COVID, my manager Ryan and I were lucky to have a strong “All Night Long” tour lined up, and things began to flourish from there.

During COVID, I wrote almost every day, trying to create club records, but I eventually felt constrained by that. I realized it was time to produce a larger body of work. I started the album process in April 2022 and set a goal to write continuously for a year. We finished all the details by August 2023 and signed it then. It’s been a lengthy journey, but it felt like the right moment to craft a complete album.

Did you feel constrained by specific production methods or templates for your club tracks that you needed to follow for commercial success?

It was more about the current club record release model: write a track, get it played by DJs, and if it gets enough traction, it has a chance to succeed. If not, you move on quickly. It felt like a rat race, always chasing the next hit. Having an album allows people to engage with a cohesive collection that feels much more fulfilling.

Will Clarke performing at Magic Stick in Detroit | Photo Credit: Gyll Carter

After more than a decade of creating vibrant, gritty club music, your work has evolved into the introspective and emotional Midnight Mass. The title is fantastic and fitting; how did you choose it for the album?

We had just wrapped up two weekends at Coachella and were exhausted on our way to grab Sichuan chicken. I was driving while Ryan worked on emails. He said, “Will, you need to come up with a name for this album.” We started brainstorming words, and Ryan suggested “mass.” Initially, I thought it was too religious. However, I’ve always had a sort of “religion” surrounding my music. When “midnight mass” came up, I knew it was perfect.

After dedicating a full year to writing, you likely ended up with a vast selection. The album’s progression feels intentional and cohesive. How did you go about selecting the tracks for Midnight Mass and sequencing them?

We began with thirty to fifty tracks to narrow down. Certain tracks like “Summit,” “Need Some Time,” “Weekend Love, and “Burn This City” served as the foundation. The moment I wrote “Summit,” I felt it had to be track number one. I wanted it to be a unique opener that still felt like me. It features gospel-style vocals and my signature drums, but it’s not your typical four-on-the-floor beat. Then “Pray” came along, and it fit perfectly, so it continued from there.

Once all the tracks were complete, I collaborated closely with Mitch Jones to finalize them. We started with about twenty tracks before Ryan and I worked on our favorites in a LA studio. I then took the final selections and put them in order.

I perceived the album as a journey through different stages of grief. Was it inspired by grief or specific experiences?

While it wasn’t explicitly written about grief, certain tracks touch on various stages. Some songs reflect personal experiences I don’t usually discuss. My goal was to evoke emotions; I want listeners to connect with the music, whether they’re dancing, driving, or simply enjoying time at home with loved ones. Each track should evoke different memories for everyone.

Now that you’ve performed a few live shows compared to countless DJ sets, what are the most significant differences in your preparation and performance?

My main focus was figuring out how to differentiate my live shows from DJ sets. Bands have varied performances with instrument changes and different vocalists. Therefore, I ensure to pause between tracks to let the performance breathe. Our live show includes live drum machines, acid machines, and pads. While the vocals aren’t live, Sammy Chattery contributed specific vocals throughout the show. A continuous set wouldn’t convey the depth of this experience. Additionally, we incorporated a substantial visual element, collaborating with film producer Steven Agnew to create stunning visuals synced with the music.

You were heavily involved in all creative aspects of the album and tour, not just the music.

I’ve been engaged from the very beginning of the album’s creation to tonight’s performance. There’s not been a moment where I wasn’t involved.

Fans loved the clever way you announced your first live tour, which caught many off guard. Was your decision to “retire from DJing” and transition to a live show directly influenced by the album?

Absolutely. I didn’t want to present Midnight Mass as a DJ set. The album features various tempos that would sound disjointed if forced into a DJ format. The emotional depth of this album necessitates a live, collective experience to appreciate all the nuances. While the live show includes tracks from the album, there are also different versions of my popular records, showcasing elements fans may have never heard before.

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