Sheppard Cancel US Tour, Cite Unsustainable Touring Environment

Sheppard have cancelled their upcoming US tour, citing an unsustainable touring environment.

It’s the first time the Australian band has ever cancelled a tour, and it’s a decision they didn’t make lightly. However, due to a “combination of sky-high touring costs” and “ambitious production standards,” putting on the show Sheppard want to host has made the tour “impossible.”

In a social media post, the trio said they would take this time to reset and rebuild towards a more sustainable path forward. Fans who bought tickets will receive refunds, with Sheppard promising to return “soon” with a show their fans deserve.

You can see the full statement below.

The news follows Sheppard’s recent tour of the UK and Europe, where the band outlined the harsh reality of international touring.

In April, band member Emma Sheppard revealed that the Australian pop group had sold 59 tickets for a show in Warsaw, Poland, but the show went on for the devoted fans who bought tickets.

She wrote on her Instagram Stories, “We’ve gone from playing to huge crowds to literally 59 people in Poland. But you know what?

“We show up for those people and it’s going to be the best damn show they’ve seen. It’s never about quantity but quality, and we have the best fans that show up for us.”

She added that the music industry is “far from perfect, “but what is important is showing up for your fans and believing in what you do.”

News.com.au then covered the low ticket sales, prompting a response from the band, who wrote: “Touring in this day and age, especially as an independent band, is stupidly hard. Expectations are sky-high, budgets are impossibly tight, attention spans are short - and every night feels like an all-or-nothing gamble. We work our asses off. We’ve grinded and sacrificed sleep, comfort, stability - and sometimes our health - to keep this dream alive.”

They added, “So yeah... it hurts. But we’re still standing. We’re still singing. And we’re not even close to done.”

Sheppard toured across Australia last October and November, playing to punters across the country.

Sheppard’s statement to their fans in the US:

To our beautiful fans,

I'm afraid we have some rather upsetting news ... After doing everything in our power to make it work, we've had to make the incredibly difficult decision to cancel our upcoming US tour.

This isn't something we take lightly. In our 14 years as a touring band, we've never cancelled a tour. We know how much time, planning, travel and excitement goes into coming to see us live - and the gravity of this decision is not lost on us for a second...

We've always taken pride in being the kind of band that just makes it work, but mounting an international tour is challenging on many fronts in the current environment.

A combination of sky-high touring costs, ambitious production standards so that we can give you the show you deserve, and complex logistics have made this tour impossible ... this time around.

We're heartbroken. Being on stage in front of our fans - watching you not just sing, but feel every word in our songs - is always the greatest experience of our lives. Please know this isn't the end - it's just a pause.

We're taking this time to reset, to rebuild a more sustainable path forward, and to ensure that the next time we tour, we can give you everything you deserve. If you've already bought a ticket, you'll be contacted by the point of purchase for a full refund. And if you're feeling disappointed, know that we are too - deeply.

Thank you for your understanding, your love, and the support you've always shown us. We're beyond grateful for the beautiful people we call our fans - and we'll see you again soon, stronger and ready to give you the shows you deserve.

With all our love,

George, Amy & Emma

"Although it's dark now, I know we're going to make it to sunrise."

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