More Bad News For Europe

Rammstein has postponed their summer European tour until next year. I feel like we started getting mass tour cancellation announcements in April last year, so I'm bracing for that news at this point. I do think there will be some shows in America, but definitely scaled down. Things are much worse in Europe now and it isn't looking good for the summer touring season there.

Comments

[Steverox]

This is totally not surprising given the tour was supposed to start in May in Germany. No way that could happen.

But the US leg starts in September ... that may have a shot!

Any rocker visiting this forum should go see Rammstein live at least once. Best show on the road.

[Him]

Always been curious about them. Seems like they are a bigger mover outside Germany than in. But they do have impressive theatrics.

Not to throw hot sticks on a sad fire, but . . . the logistics of summer shows are going to show the strains of what the post-pandemic world has wrought. In some states, the slow roll-out will involve capacity issues. So how do you account for that? Well, you sell the tickets at a higher price point to fewer people (perhaps calling them 'fees' . . . and we all know about fees for concerts). And in some metro areas, the pandemic has brought about other margin-based changes (in other areas of the entertainment/consumption economy): slightly (so as to not shock returning customers) higher prices and slightly smaller portions. The psychology of all that makes sense: people will forget at some point. And it makes sense as a means of supporting vendors who are barely scraping by as well. But that also translates to venues: higher prices for food and spirits, on top of higher prices for tickets, etc., etc.

Personally, I don't think the allure of the concert will be coming back full force for several years, even if I so desperately want to be back at concerts, outdoors first and indoors later. And please do note: I made sure to note that these sorts of shifts aren't universal. Some places are ready to get back to normal . . . NOW! Methinks that Allyson's post provides a cautious counterpoint to too much exuberance in the short-term. The desire is understandable' the impact could possibly prolong things (and add to the factors I mentioned above).

Bottom-line: find ways to support bands, venues, and workers. Small gestures can make an impact right now. You are adding to the base that will help get things sorted out in the longer-term.