As audio pros, we’ve learned to prepare for any unexpected contingencies, such as packing an extra power amp, additional cables, wireless transmitters and backups for the artists’ vocal mics and IEMs. After all, the show must go on. Recently, during a well-deserved break in Disturbed’s “The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour” (profiled in the April 2025 FRONT of HOUSE), the band’s FOH mixer Brad Divens used the opportunity to mix a sold-out one-off performance on May 3, 2025 for Enrique Iglesias (one of his other regular clients) at the luxurious Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh resort in Nabq Bay, Egypt. However, this particular assignment turned out far different than Divens ever expected and here — in his own words — is his recollection of the events leading up to up to his most unforgettable gig. —Ed.
How I spent my birthday…and the days that followed
April 30, 2025 was definitely a birthday to remember. Let me just say it was always my fear that something would happen during a flight. The fear finally became a reality.
April 30 (Four days before show)
My day starts off great. I wake up at home. Have breakfast with my wife. Pack up and head to the airport. As I’m sitting in the lounge, I start to feel pain in my stomach. Of course, I’m thinking it’s probably gas or something I ate. But then the pain continues to the point that I’m actually considering not getting on the flight and going to the hospital. Of course, I can’t do that cause I’ll never make the show in Egypt. Little did I know what the next ten hours of flying would be like.
Throughout the beginning of the flight, I’m experiencing pain like I’ve never felt before. I skip lunch, and a few hours later it starts to subside a little. Okay, maybe this isn’t anything. I decided to have a bite. The pain immediately came back. WTF. I asked the stewardess if they had any paracetamol or ibuprofen. She said no, but there was a doctor onboard. I see the doc and she determines it’s my appendix and she will monitor me during the flight. Towards the end of the flight, she recommends I not get on my connecting flight to Egypt and that I go by ambulance to a hospital. Okay, wow… this is straight up f*ckery. I’m going to get in an ambulance and go to God knows what kind of hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.
May 1 (Three days before show)
- 7 a.m. — The ambulance ride took about 45 minutes, and it’s not the smoothest ride I’ve ever had. I get to the hospital and right away, I realize there might be a bit of a language barrier here. Yep, Google translate to the rescue. Contrast dye, CT scan, blood work and a lot of pushing on my stomach.
- 11:30 a.m. — Doc comes in and says: “You need an appendectomy, and we can start in approximately one hour and 30 minutes.” Now I start to think, how will I make it to Egypt for the show? Why that was my first thought and holy sh*t, what did he just say? Of course, I ask “When will I be able to leave?” He says, “Maybe in two to three days.’ Well, that’s not going to work for me… I’ve got a show to mix. Guess I’ll figure that out later.
- About 2:30 p.m. — Surgery prep. Weird getting in my gown and cap and laying down on the gurney. Everyone in the room is calling me Bradley Dean and smiling. I’m thinking I’m gonna wake up with one less kidney. The mask goes on and in one breath I’m out.
- About 3:30 p.m. — Forty-five minutes after going under, I come to in my room. The surgeon is there, along with a promoter rep who happened to live in Istanbul. Plans start to be discussed between Enrique’s PM, the promoter and the surgeon. By the end of the evening, it’s determined that I’ll be released at 10 a.m. the following morning. Wow! I just lost an organ, and I’m going to be on my way in the morning. Okay, let’s get some rest and let the nurses do their job and take care of me throughout the night.
May 2 (Day before show)
- 8:00 a.m. — Phone calls and texts, and it’s now determined that it won’t be 10 a.m., but will be later. I’m okay with that. There’s still a drainage tube hanging out of my belly and I’m a little uncomfortable. Still, there’s time to make the show.
- About noon — Doc comes in and we talk for a bit. He says, “I can release you this evening or in the morning.” Of course, I choose this evening, cause I have to get the hell out of here. Don’t get me wrong — the hospital, nurses, surgeon were all great. But I’ve got a gig to do, and even though it’s not the smartest idea, I will be there. Speak with E’s people and I have a plane ticket out of Istanbul at 2:10 a.m. that will get me to Sharm El Sheikh at 5:45 a.m. day of show.
- About 6:30 p.m. — I’m discharged and in a car to the airport. The ride — which, at times felt like we were on a cow path and not a paved highway — became really uncomfortable.
- 8:00 p.m. — I’m in the Turkish Air lounge for a few hours before my flight. I try to get some rest and be as comfortable as I can. This is one of my favorite lounges to spend time in. Lots of freshly prepared food and beverages.
May 3 (Day of show)
- 2:10 a.m. — My flight departs on time and I’m on my way.
- 5:45 a.m. — Arrive Sharm El Sheik, Egypt
- 6:30 a.m. — Arrive at hotel. Time to sleep
- Noon — Wake up
- 2 p.m. — I arrive at the venue
- 10 p.m. — Showtime!
May 4 (Day after show)
- 2:30 a.m. — I depart for the airport
- 5:45 a.m. — Catch flight to Istanbul
- 2:55 p.m. — Board flight to Seattle
- 5 p.m. — I arrive at Seattle
Postscript
As I read this back before posting, I realize how f*cking insane this ordeal sounds. You just can’t make this sh*t up. To quote my good friend Jimmy Chalfant, “He’s a tough old road dog.” But as the old saying goes, “the show must go on!”
Along with Enrique Iglesias and Disturbed, Brad Divens has worked as FOH sound engineer for Linkin Park, Cyndi Lauper, Garbage, HIM, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Mötley Crüe and Jane’s Addiction. He was also the bassist and lead vocalist for 1990s metal band Souls at Zero.
