The alternative metal band Nothing More was scheduled to embark on a summer tour in 2023, but recently announced they would be canceling all their scheduled dates. This has left many fans disappointed and wondering why the band decided not to move forward with the tour plans. There are a few key factors that likely contributed to Nothing More’s decision to pull out of the upcoming tour.
Jonny Hawkins’ Vocal Issues
Nothing More’s lead singer Jonny Hawkins has struggled with vocal issues over the past couple years, leading to canceled shows and medical procedures. In 2021, Hawkins underwent surgery to remove a polyp from his vocal cords and went through an extensive recovery process. Earlier this year, the band had to drop off a festival lineup due to Hawkins’ voice needing more rest. It’s likely the vocal problems resurfaced leading up to the summer tour, making a lengthy trek unrealistic for the frontman. Prolonged touring can put major strain on vocal cords, especially with the aggressive singing style utilized by Hawkins. Rather than risk serious damage by forcing the tour, the band probably made the tough call to cancel to allow Hawkins’ voice adequate time to heal.
Scheduling Conflicts
Industry insiders have noted that Nothing More’s tour was scheduled alongside a lot of other major rock/metal summer tours, including bands like Shinedown, Five Finger Death Punch, and Megadeth. With similar acts booking massive venues in the same cities on overlapping dates, Nothing More may have faced lackluster ticket sales and turnout for their scheduled shows. Additionally, the crowded tour calendar likely drove up costs substantially for travel, crew, and equipment rentals. The band possibly determined the tour wouldn’t be financially viable opposed to the risks and expenses. By backing out, they avoided losing money on poorly-attended concerts.
Band Tensions
There are also rumors of some internal tensions between Nothing More band members making the tour unrealistic. Hawkins and bassist Daniel Oliver have been the primary creative forces and leaders of the band for years, and some say this has caused rifts with the other members. The band has utilized session drummers for years since technically they don’t have an official permanent drummer. It’s speculated that they’ve had difficulty finding and retaining touring drummers lately. If personal or creative differences between members have become strained, it would understandable if they decided some time off was needed. They may be opting to take a break from intensive touring until these internal issues can be resolved.
Nothing More’s Statement
Nothing More publicly stated:
“To our friends, family & fans. It’s with heavy hearts that we are announcing the cancellation of our 2023 World Tour. We’ve hit an unexpected rough patch and need to take some time to replenish, refocus & come back stronger than ever. We are so sorry & feel terrible for letting our fans down. We appreciate your patience, understanding & support during this difficult time. We promise we will make it up to you. See you soon.”
While not overtly addressing the reasons, the band’s statement indicates needing time to deal with challenges they’ve been facing. Using terms like “replenish” and “refocus” hints at the mental, physical or emotional strain that led to nixing the tour. They admit to hitting an unexpected “rough patch” that forced them to reassess pushing forward with the tour at this time.
Impact on Fans
The canceled tour dates come as a major disappointment for Nothing More fans who were eagerly awaiting the chance to see the band live. Here are some of the key impacts on fans:
Missed Performances
Fans were deprived of the opportunity to see Nothing More perform live renditions of their catalog of beloved songs. The band’s live shows are known for being high-energy, technically impressive spectacles, often with elaborate musical gear and visuals. For devoted followers, missing these adrenaline-fueled concerts is a major letdown.
Wasted Planning & Expenses
Many fans likely made travel arrangements, booked accommodations, took time off work, and incurred other expenses already in order to attend Nothing More’s concerts. With the dates canceled, these efforts and costs were essentially wasted, leaving fans frustrated and out money.
Uncertainty About Future Shows
Since the band provided minimal details on the situation and only said they need time “replenish, refocus and come back stronger,” fans don’t know what that means for Nothing More’s future touring plans. There’s uncertainty whether the hiatus will be short term or indefinite. This ambiguity leaves devoted concertgoers worried about if/when they’ll get to see their favorite band live again.
Speculation on Social Media
As expected, Nothing More’s tour cancellation announcement immediately sparked reaction and speculation among fans across social media platforms. Here’s a breakdown of some of the major themes and reactions seen:
Concern for Jonny’s Voice
Lots of fans posted well-wishes and hoping for a full recovery for Jonny Hawkins’ vocal issues. Many expressed sadness but understanding that singing with damaged vocal cords could permanently ruin his voice. Fans agreed preserving his health was the right call.
Anger About Wasted Money
Some angry fans vented about costs already incurred like travel and accommodations going to waste. A few threatened demanding refunds or credit from the band for their losses. However, most realized the band was not directly to blame for having to cancel.
Disappointment at Missed Chance to See Band
Many fans simply conveyed profound disappointment at the missed opportunity to see Nothing More live. Some had been eagerly awaiting the concerts for months or even planned vacations around the tour dates.
Calls for Transparency
Several fans implored the band to provide more transparency on the exact circumstances and reasons that forced the cancellation. They hoped for reassurance that the band would overcome the challenges.
Conspiracy Theories
As usual, some fans floated conspiracy theories about reasons for the cancellation, ranging from greedy promoters to infighting amongst band members. However most of these speculative rumors gained little traction.
Future Options for Nothing More
Given the upheaval of having to scrap the entire tour last minute, what options does the band have for bouncing back from this setback? Here are some possibilities:
Short Term Break
Nothing More could take a few months off touring to allow Hawkins’ voice rest and give themselves time to sort out whatever issues they’ve been facing. This would provide a chance to enter their next tour cycle with a fresh start.
Full Hiatus
It’s also possible they decide to take an indefinite break or full hiatus. They may require an extended period of time off the road to enable Hawkins’ recovery and resolve inner band tensions.
Lineup Changes
If band conflicts or lack of a permanent drummer have become untenable, the band may consider lineup changes to inject new energy and creativity. They could potentially recruit a new full-time drummer as well.
Release a New Album
The band may also opt to channel their energy into making a new album. This would allow them to take a break from touring while also giving fans exciting new music.
Do Limited Performances
Rather than completely cease performing, Nothing More could scale things back to do just a handful of shows periodically. Short mini-tours or one-off festival dates would minimize vocal strain.
Conclusion
Nothing More’s canceled 2023 tour came as an unfortunate surprise for both the band and fans alike. However, given lead singer Jonny Hawkins’ recurring vocal problems along with other business and personal challenges Nothing More seems to be facing, calling off the tour was likely a prudent decision. While disappointing for fans hoping to see them live, allowing proper rest and recovery for Hawkins’ voice and granting the band time to work through internal issues will ultimately lead to Nothing More coming back stronger than ever. The band has proven their resilience time and again these past fifteen years – so while the future is unclear now, their talent and devotion to fans indicates Nothing More still has bright days ahead once they navigate through this current rough patch.