The Decemberists Shut Down Their Tour on the Eve of Two Boston Shows
Let the pointless speculation begin. There will be no songs played tonight in Boston. No matter the actual reason why, the Decemberists have canceled the remainder of their booked solid 2007 tour on the eve of two-night stand here in Boston. I got the sad news first from the Boston Globe via their Sound Effects Blog. My worst fears were confirmed just minutes later by my contact with Filter Magazine (online). So sad! For those of you unaware, the band got fans very excited with their media blitz on "The Long and Short of It" tour. (Two shows in each city. One night fewer, long epic Decemberists songs; second night: a few more, shorter more pop songs by the Decemberists.) It was daring fare and dynamic and a kind of social experiment. Now it has been reduced to mere speculation.
The Tour Has Been Canceled.
The Decemberists dropped the bombshell the day before two Boston shows at the Orpheum.
The Crane Wife Album - RSL Album of the Year 2006
The Decemberists dropped the bombshell the day before two Boston shows at the Orpheum.
The Crane Wife Album - RSL Album of the Year 2006
The office story line is that someone in the band has taken ill and the rest have decided that it isn't feasible or wise to continue on. The official statement from the band's webpage is as follows:
With much regret The Decemberists have cancelled the remainder of "The Long and Short of It" tour.
One of our band members has been ill for a while but we thought all would be well in time for these tour dates. After a couple shows, though, it has become clear that the illness is much worse than we had initially realized. We need to return home so our friend can mend.
It saddens us to disappoint our fans. We hope everybody understands it is only because of an extreme situation that we had to cancel a tour we've all been excited about doing since the idea was originally hatched.
Our deepest apologies but at this time no plans are being made to reschedule the dates. Ticket holders should seek refunds at point of purchase.
Without seeming like super-sleuth, please allow me to deduce a couple of completely reasonable conclusions. First of all we know it is someone in the band. (That it's not a death or serious illness in a family of one of the members.) Secondly, the canceling of this tour means fans in 14 cities (two shows each - the long and the short of it) - means whatever "illness" being experienced warranted the elimination of a whopping 28 shows. Certainly not a flu or simple exhaustion! Sorry to cut to the quick bandmates: We're talking either serious (life-threatening) illness or drug addiction/rehab stint. I'm not the only one to think along these lines. Just take a stroll over to the band's myspace. The messages are filled with disappointment, speculation and some are upset about how little information was revealed in the "Sorry, tour's off due to illness" band statement. I would suggest to fans that the band, like any of is; is entitled to their privacy. I think we all got caught up in the hype for this tour and can realize how frustrating this bit of news is. A bunch of us are holding tickets to shows tonight in Boston.
"Rest up, get well and come back!"
With much regret The Decemberists have cancelled the remainder of "The Long and Short of It" tour.
One of our band members has been ill for a while but we thought all would be well in time for these tour dates. After a couple shows, though, it has become clear that the illness is much worse than we had initially realized. We need to return home so our friend can mend.
It saddens us to disappoint our fans. We hope everybody understands it is only because of an extreme situation that we had to cancel a tour we've all been excited about doing since the idea was originally hatched.
Our deepest apologies but at this time no plans are being made to reschedule the dates. Ticket holders should seek refunds at point of purchase.
Without seeming like super-sleuth, please allow me to deduce a couple of completely reasonable conclusions. First of all we know it is someone in the band. (That it's not a death or serious illness in a family of one of the members.) Secondly, the canceling of this tour means fans in 14 cities (two shows each - the long and the short of it) - means whatever "illness" being experienced warranted the elimination of a whopping 28 shows. Certainly not a flu or simple exhaustion! Sorry to cut to the quick bandmates: We're talking either serious (life-threatening) illness or drug addiction/rehab stint. I'm not the only one to think along these lines. Just take a stroll over to the band's myspace. The messages are filled with disappointment, speculation and some are upset about how little information was revealed in the "Sorry, tour's off due to illness" band statement. I would suggest to fans that the band, like any of is; is entitled to their privacy. I think we all got caught up in the hype for this tour and can realize how frustrating this bit of news is. A bunch of us are holding tickets to shows tonight in Boston.
"Rest up, get well and come back!"
Radishes:
Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy and company will be missed tonight in Boston
Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy and company will be missed tonight in Boston
The Long of It:
The Island
The Short of It:
O' Valencia (live!)
And just at their Best:
Bridges and Balloons
The Island
The Short of It:
O' Valencia (live!)
And just at their Best:
Bridges and Balloons
...
About the Decemberists
About the Decemberists
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