The Scottish pop-rock duo The Proclaimers, known for their hits “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and “Letter from America”, have recently cancelled several tour dates. This has led to speculation and questions from disappointed fans about why the Craig and Charlie Reid have pulled out of these concerts. There are a few key factors that help explain the cancellations.
Charlie Reid’s health issues
One major reason is that Charlie Reid has been suffering from health problems that have made touring difficult. Back in 2021, it was revealed that Charlie had a serious eye condition that affected his vision. He ended up having multiple operations and this prevented The Proclaimers from touring for a period of time. Though Charlie’s condition has improved, ongoing health vulnerabilities have impacted the band’s ability to handle a heavy touring schedule. Fans’ hopes for a fully energized worldwide tour have been tempered by the need to accommodate Charlie’s condition.
Craig Reid’s side projects
In addition to Charlie’s health, Craig Reid has taken on some side projects in recent years that have made extensive touring more difficult. Craig co-wrote the music and lyrics for the popular stage musical version of the movie Sunshine on Leith. The show premiered in 2007 and feature many Proclaimers songs, and Craig has remained actively involved through revisions and new productions of the musical. Between the show and other musical ventures, Craig has had less time to devote to The Proclaimers full-time. Reduced availability has forced the band to be more selective about booking long tours.
Focus on new album
The Proclaimers released their 11th studio album Dentures Out in September 2022. It is their first album of new songs in about 6 years. The duo has spoken about how they want to spend more time promoting this latest project. International touring made it hard to commit to television appearances and interviews that would support and publicize the new music. Saying no to touring allows The Proclaimers to focus on generating interest in the Dentures Out album through media coverage and smaller promotional events.
Changes in the music industry
Broader changes in the music business have also impacted The Proclaimers’ touring plans. The rise of music streaming and declines in revenue from recorded music have put more financial pressure on bands to generate income from live performances. However, the market has become saturated with constant touring from artists. Established acts like The Proclaimers have to be more selective in booking profitable concerts rather than relying on endless touring. Reducing tour stops is an adaptation to the modern music landscape.
Recent Tour Cancellations and Disappointed Fans
The Proclaimers most recently cancelled shows set for late 2022. These included dates across the UK in cities like Hull, Liverpool, Sheffield, Oxford, and Salisbury. The shows were meant to make up a portion of the band’s 2022 tour in support of their Dentures Out album. Concerts originally scheduled for Ireland and continental Europe in 2022 were also pulled.
These cancellations have elicited disappointment and complaints from loyal Proclaimers supporters who had been eagerly anticipating the band’s return to the road. Fans have taken to social media to express sadness about postponed shows in their cities. Some had booked travel and accommodations and were frustrated by what they saw as a lack of notice from The Proclaimers about the cancellations. There is a sense that constant health issues are preventing the band from meeting their touring commitments.
However, other fans have posted their support and understanding, sending good wishes to Charlie especially. They want the band to take the time needed to recover rather than push themselves too hard. This contingent of supporters has urged disappointed fans to have patience and perspective, though there are still pleas for the band to reschedule stops in the future.
How Extensive Were the Planned Shows?
Prior to the spate of cancellations, The Proclaimers originally intended to have a busy schedule of live shows in 2022 and into 2023. This included dates across Britain and trips to other parts of Europe plus Australia and New Zealand.
Below are the number of shows that had been booked in different locations before cancellations started taking place:
Location | Number of Planned Shows |
---|---|
United Kingdom | 35 |
Ireland | 9 |
France | 3 |
Netherlands | 2 |
Switzerland | 2 |
Australia | 5 |
New Zealand | 3 |
The Proclaimers’ calendar had them performing across the UK in fall 2022, heading to Europe in late 2022 and early 2023, then visiting Australia and New Zealand in spring 2023. This would have added up to an anticipated 59 live shows on the tour. Most of these never ended up happening.
Looking just within the UK at cities where concerts were planned but then cancelled:
City | Number of Cancelled Shows |
---|---|
Sheffield | 2 |
Liverpool | 2 |
Oxford | 1 |
Hull | 1 |
Salisbury | 1 |
So at least 7 shows in Britain were called off, amounting to a big chunk of their planned tour dates in their home country.
Do They Plan to Make Up the Cancellations?
After the initial cancellations, The Proclaimers did state that they hoped to resume touring in 2023 and play some of the cancelled shows at later dates. However, no definite timeline has been provided.
Some key factors that may determine if and when they can make up the cancelled concerts include:
– Charlie Reid’s health outlook over the next 6-12 months. If he continues to stabilize, that increases chances for more touring.
– How much Craig Reid remains occupied with Sunshine on Leith and other projects. Freeing up more time would allow more Proclaimers touring activity.
– Plans for releasing any more new music beyond Dentures Out. If they are focused on another album, that may preclude lots of touring.
– Demand for tickets when cancelled shows are rescheduled. Promoters will want some assurance of decent sales before re-booking them.
So at this point the situation remains very uncertain regarding make-up tour dates. The band and their management will be weighing all these factors before firmly committing to a new extensive touring schedule. Their priority will be making sure Charlie Reid is up for the rigors of the road.
Impact and Reaction of Music Industry
The Proclaimers’ tour cancellations have been felt through the music industry. As a veteran band still capable of selling tickets, their absence from the touring circuit for a prolonged period has had some wider effects.
Venues and promoters
Many venues and concert promoters lost significant business from the scrapped Proclaimers dates. For some smaller clubs and theaters that rely more on shows from established bands with loyal fans, the financial impacts were felt immediately. Larger promoters also had open slots to fill from the cancellations with less time to book new acts. There is hope that rescheduled Proclaimers shows may eventually make up some of the lost revenue.
Session musicians
The Proclaimers have employed additional touring musicians beyond just Craig and Charlie Reid since around 2001. These hired hands back up the duo on instruments like bass, guitar, and drums. Cancelled concerts immediately put those sidemen out of work that was lined up supporting The Proclaimers. Depending on demand for their services from other acts, losing those bookings might have meant leaner paychecks.
Studio time
With The Proclaimers urgently focusing on their Dentures Out album, there was an expectation that they would return to the studio sooner than later. More touring cancellations potentially allow them to spend more time writing and recording new music if they desire. However, studios and producers anticipating work with the band now face a delay in those bookings.
Related businesses
Hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and other businesses situated near venues where The Proclaimers were to perform also took a hit. Concerts generate traffic and revenue for local establishments, so cancellations subtracted from expected economic activity around those sites. Road crews, transportation companies, and live music gear rental outfits connected to the concerts similarly missed out on income.
Conclusion
The Proclaimers’ recent spate of tour cancellations can be attributed to Charlie Reid’s ongoing health issues, Craig Reid’s busy schedule, a focus on promoting their new album, and the shifting music business landscape. Disappointed fans were heavily anticipating the now scrapped shows across the UK, Europe, and Australasia. It remains unclear when and if all the dates will be rescheduled. The cancelled concerts have negatively impacted venues, promoters, musicians, studios, and related businesses that stood to benefit from the band’s tour plans. Music supporters continue to hope that both Reid brothers will regain full strength and stability so they can return to the world stage and celebrate over three decades of their iconic songs.