Animal Collective have cancelled their upcoming UK and European tour, citing insurmountable economic challenges. The band were scheduled to begin their tour in Ireland on November 2, with further dates in Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, and London, before moving on to Europe.
In a statement released on October 10, the band explained that factors such as inflation, currency devaluation, and increased shipping and transportation costs made the tour financially unsustainable. They noted that they would have lost money even under the best circumstances, and chose to prioritise their mental and physical health over the financial risk.
The cancellation follows a trend of artists including Santigold, Sam Fender, and Lindsey Buckingham recently cancelling tours due to economic, mental health, or health reasons. The band assured fans that all tickets would be refunded from the point of purchase and expressed hope to play overseas again in the future.
This news comes amid ongoing concerns about the impact of Brexit on UK musicians touring Europe. A recent House of Lords hearing highlighted issues such as work permit red tape, carnet costs, and the 90 out of 180-day access rule, which have led to additional expenses and confusion for artists and crew. The UK music industry has previously warned that these complications could lead to mass unemployment among musicians and crew.
