FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Cancels European Tour Dates Due To Higher Post-Pandemic Costs

Arizona thrash metal veteran Flotsam and Jetsam We have had to cancel our previously announced European tour dates.

early morning today, Flotsam and Jetsam issued the following statement via social media: “It is with great regret that we have to cancel our European shows in June. We hope that our fans will understand and support us in this matter. Unfortunately, the costs associated with the tour have doubled and, in some cases, the costs have tripled.

“As is often the case with many American bands that have had to cancel their overseas tour plans, we are not immune to the costly impact of such a problem. Otherwise, we would suffer an unbearable loss, so unfortunately we have had to cancel these dates.

“We hope to meet our fans in Europe as soon as possible.”

In recent months, many high-profile musicians have spoken out about the realities of touring post-pandemic, including rising travel costs such as gas, tour buses, hotels, and airfare.

last November, disturbed guitarist Dan Donegan said to Rock 100.5 The KATT The radio station said of his band’s prospects for a European tour, “As you may have heard, inflation has been a difficult time for many bands, so many artists I’ve seen, especially In Europe…” I know that shine down I had to postpone the tour, anthrax, I think there are a few others. Because obviously a lot of things are going up in price, like fuel costs, production costs, trucking costs, transportation costs. “

in December, fear factory guitarist Dino Hazard said to “Podcast vulgar display”: “So many things have changed in the last few years because the economy has really, really gone too far. You can get gas, certain things, even drivers. Just get drivers. People are really changing.” I don’t understand the cost of these tours. Venues have drastically reduced merchandise sales, exorbitant prices for diesel and petrol, everything affects you. Many people don’t realize that these buses run on diesel and diesel “more expensive than gasoline. That means you can spend anywhere from $800 to $1,000 just to fill up the bus with gas.” People don’t realize the cost, so it’s getting harder and harder.”

Canadian singer, songwriter and producer Devin Townsend Painted the same dark picture and said Metallium On the current state of the Tour: “It’s gotten a lot worse. In fact, I don’t think it’s gotten better at all because inflation and the cost of petrol and diesel are making the Tour more expensive right now… And we’ve lost a lot of really good venues over the course of the pandemic, probably 50% of the touring workforce gone, because what are guitar techs going to do for two years? So what’s left is not only already in negotiations with other bands, but the price has almost doubled.

“I saw something like this, [the events ticketing giant] live nation The other day, some venues took 30 percent of merchandise sales,” he continued. “Airline costs are going up, which means, artists, the ability to make money on tour, at least for artists at my level, is now almost completely gone.

“So yes, it’s open again, but it’s 10 times the price. It’s like, ‘What are you going to do?’ Hotels are more expensive, hotel food, even small things.” [is] higher. After all, what are you touring for? You end up touring to present your work to people who care about it, and that’s something that’s worth it to me. But if you think it’s easy again, check it out. Because I’m trying to set up a tour. [2023], and there is no way to keep them within the cost — there is no way. So I go out and it’s like, well, I can’t use this vehicle. You cannot have this backline. We cannot make this work. we can’t get these lights. And then you show up at a place and the audience comes and they say, ‘The show is not good. No lights. No production. So what do you do? And I think a lot of musicians make the decision, ‘Then just stay home and create at home’.

“I try to go out acoustic now, because that way I can afford it.” Devin Added. “If you show up with your acoustic guitar and sing in front of people, it’s better than nothing, but hey, it’s a complicated time, brother.”