UB40, The Rubens, other bands reschedule tours to give hope to fans and industry
Music fans are being encouraged to #keepyourtickets as bands and promoters face the logistic nightmare of rebooking tours to late 2020 and early 2021.
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Music performers and promoters are scrambling to claim available dates and venues to reschedule tours halted by the COVID-19 mass gatherings ban.
While deep uncertainty remains around when restrictions will be lifted, most artists forced to move their tours scheduled from April until August have now rebooked dates from September through to early 2021.
Promoters are also coming up against themselves in the logistics nightmare of rescheduling into clubs, theatres and arenas they already have on hold for big tours yet to be announced.
Veteran British reggae pop outfit UB40, who are regular gig tourists to Australia, announced they hope to resume their 40th anniversary concerts to late October and early November.
Band cofounder Robin Campbell said it had been a supreme juggling act to secure venue availability and rebook flights, accommodation, gear hire and crew.
They sorted out rescheduling the Australian shows before tackling other legs of the tour.
“We’ve had to make so many compromises in order to make these dates work. We can’t add any other dates anywhere until we know when rescheduled gigs are definitely happening,” Campbell said.
“All in all, this year is shaping up to be a catastrophe for us.”
Campbell said they decided to take the chance on being able to tour Australia this year instead of pushing into 2021 to give fans “something to look forward to.”
“So many people have already bought their tickets, so where possible, we’re trying our hardest to honour the tours we’ve booked,” he said.
“It gives people something to look forward to this year rather than wait until next year. I think we could all use something to look forward to right now.”
Campbell reflected the gnawing sense of uncertainty gripping the live music industry worldwide when asked how confident he was the upcoming tour would be ahead in October.
“We fully intend to be in Australia by the end of this year, but of course, in the present situation, we can’t guarantee it,” he said.
“Fingers crossed, we are optimistic that Australia will be open again soon and we’re doing everything we possibly can to ensure we honour these news shows.”
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Australian bands and solo artists who have been forced to move shows to later in the year have urged fans to hang onto their tickets.
Even though they are entitled to refunds if they are cancelled or people are unable to make the rescheduled dates, fans saving their tickets for the postponed shows will help keep money in the live industry.
The website ilostmygig, which has been monitoring the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Australian concert industry, received reports over the past two weeks of losses of more than $325 million from artists, roadies, technicians, publicists, transport and hospitality staff and associated workers. And that’s the tip of the iceberg.
More than 30 tours and festivals have announced rescheduled shows while major events to be cancelled include Bluesfest, Vivid Sydney, Groovin’ The Moo, Dark Mofo, Ability Fest and Download.
Much-loved Australian band The Rubens are currently working on new dates for the 27 shows on their Live In Life tour which was due to kick off in May.
They explained to their fans why hanging onto tickets is vitally important now and in the coming six months.
“This is an important message for ticket holders across all affected events,” they posted to their social media pages.
“Holding onto your ticket keeps funds in the industry which in turn helps keep it afloat until things are back to normal.
“When new dates are announced, you’ll have the opportunity to refund if you can’t make it.
“But god damn we hope you can cos what a party it will be when we’re all on the other side of this thing.”
Another wildly popular live Australian act Boy & Bear were one of the first bands immediately affected when the Federal Government implemented the mass gathering restrictions.
Their Suck On Light tour had been due to kick off in Far North Queensland on March 27.
It will now begin in Margaret River in WA on November 1 and features a handful of venue changes from their original plans.
The pointed out to fans that hanging onto tickets – except where dates clashed or venues had been changed – would “help us avoid doubling up on our promotion costs for the rescheduled dates.”
American alt rock band Faith No More have had to push their May tour of Australian arenas into February and March next year.
“We wanted to figure out how to address our upcoming tour down there in terms of rescheduling and postponements but basically … We fully intend to make good on our promise to come down and perform for you all,” the band posted.