News this morning that promoters Live Nation are planning to postpone all tours due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Importantly for us, this would include coming Tool dates across North America. The Live Nation stock price has taken a considerable nosedive today as well. Music promoters are important for what we love, so hopefully this is only a temporary setback.
Billboard writes:
Recognizing national concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, Live Nation is instructing its touring shows to prepare to return home, Billboard has learned. The announcement affects all Live Nation tours, domestically and internationally.
Earlier Thursday (March 12) the company told employees it is recognizing large gatherings around the world are being canceled and the company will be postponing current touring arena shows through the end of the month. Some select shows will play out over the next few days, but the remainder of the concerts will be postponed.
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/9333748/live-nation-global-pause-tours-concerts-coronavirus
Sad, but not entirely unexpected news at this point. If you have travel insurance, or plans that need adjusting, then it’s now time to start looking at your options.
When I did have a change to catch up with Danny recently, he did suggest to me that Tool are pretty keen to keep touring, and that we should be expecting more shows to be announced over the coming years. No doubt they will reschedule this tour, and I full expect to see new dates in the EU and elsewhere added for 2021.