Topline
Nine Inch Nails announced Thursday that they would cancel all remaining shows for the year. They join a growing number of solo and band artists who have cancelled concerts because of concerns about the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the United States.
At the Van-Del drive in to a virtual Garth Brooks concert, a guest is wearing a Garth Brooks shirt. Megan JELINGER / AFP/AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
Nine Inch Nails' 2021 tour "was intended to be a cathartic, celebratory return to live musical performance" when it was initially planned. However, the band stated in a statement posted on their website that "with each passing day," they are not there yet. Fans who purchased tickets for the September show in Cleveland, Ohio were informed by the band that they could receive refunds at their point of purchase. The band has not performed live since they were inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November. Country legend Garth Brooks announced Wednesday that he would cancel his 2021 concerts. He stated that refunds would be given for the 350,000 tickets purchased in advance. Brooks, whose wife Trisha Yearwood had been a performer, stated in a statement that he thought the pandemic was over when he resumed his tour in July. But, after watching the new wave, he realized "we are still fighting, and I must do our part." Stevie Nicks cancelled all five of her scheduled performances for the remainder of 2021, citing the increase in Covid-19 cases. The 73-year old Nicks posted on Twitter that she was vaccinated but is still being cautious. Limp Bizkit announced that their summer tour was cancelled on Aug. 9, just one week after they performed in front of full-capacity Lollapalooza fans in Chicago.
The Key Background
The U.S. has been experiencing the most coronavirus cases per day since February, with the delta variant spreading throughout the country. This is the highest daily average since early Febuary. Many popular bands including Phish, Maroon 5, Dead & Co. and The Foo Fighters have announced that they will need proof of vaccination against Covid-19, or a negative test, in order to attend their shows. Jason Isbell with his band, The 400 Unit, pulled out earlier this week of the 19th Annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. This was after festival officials stated that they would not require proof or a negative Covid Test to enter the festival. The festival organizers stated that they had exhausted all options and concluded that they could not impose a vaccine mandate.
Important Quote
Isbell stated that while I support freedom, he believes that if you die, there are no freedoms. "So it's important to keep alive before you begin questioning your freedom."
Tangent:
Artists are not the only ones who have cancelled shows. The New Orleans Jazz Fest announced last week that the event, which was scheduled for mid-October, would be moved to next spring due to "current exponential growth in new Covid cases" in New Orleans. Pepsi Gulf coast Jam, a festival of country music that was scheduled to take place in Florida on Labor Day weekend, has been rescheduled for June 3-5, 2022.
Additional Reading:
These are the bands that require fans to provide proof of vaccination or a negative covid test in order to attend their shows (Forbes).
Jason Isbell, Musician: I will only perform for audiences that are vaccinated or have passed a negative covid test (Forbes).
