Last week Bright Eyes cancelled their entire tour for the rest of the year, citing issues with Conor Oberst’s vocal health as the reason. While a few fans might have been disappointed, most actually breathed a sigh of relief. Anyone who has seen Conor on stage in the last few years knows that performing live has become seriously detrimental to his physical and mental health. The most alarming moment on this aborted tour was him struggling so much he was talking about killing himself, his own songs becoming so physically painful to perform.
Jane’s Addiction fans witnessed an unraveling of a different sort on their tour last month. After a series of troubled shows where Perry Farrell was drinking copious amounts of wine and failing to follow along with the songs, the band appeared to be on the brink. Instead of cancelling the tour they kept going and, as everyone will have probably seen, this ended up in Farrell assaulting guitarist Dave Navarro on stage, effectively ending the band.
What both of these incidents have in common is that these men are obviously on the edge – suffering with likely mental health, addiction, physical issues or a combination of all three. They have been forced by circumstance to play live for fans to make money, to fulfil obligations or because they don’t know what else to do with their lives at this point. They have been pushed to the brink because of their jobs and they’re just a snapshot of a wider music industry unraveling due to the pressures of touring right now.
After seeing the last Bright Eyes UK tour I decided that I’d had enough, such was the agony of standing there in the crowd and knowing you’re complicit in someone else’s suffering. Not long afterwards, I witnessed Ben from Band of Horses almost break down during a stuttering performance of ‘The Funeral’ that was equally as painful to witness. This was from a guy whose last album began with a song about his divorce, including lyrics like ‘I don’t want help/I don’t need counselling/ I won’t go to therapy.’ That felt like the perfect summation of an all too human problem – it’s impossible sometimes to even admit the truth that there’s something seriously wrong.
That’s why I’m in full admiration of Chappell Roan and her recent cancelling of a festival performance (and rescheduling of other dates). Some artists are not brave enough to step back and admit they’re struggling for fear of losing fans. Chappell has more fans than she can cope with so really she has nothing to lose. And what’s she’s also done is set a positive precedent for others to follow. By calling out the negative effect of media attention and awful fan behaviour she’s helping others stand up too.
All these unravellings tell a wider story of just how fucking brutal the music industry is just now. Maybe it’s same as it ever was, but now as an older fan I’m just too painfully aware of the potential tragic consequences.
It’s clear to me that many artists should do what Lewis Capaldi has courageously done – cancel the tour entirely and come off social media altogether. Get professional help – therapy, rehab, medical attention, etc. No one’s life or sanity should be put at risk for a tour or a career. Release the songs but stay at home if that’s what it takes.
I also like the strategy of someone like Paolo Nutini, who takes years between albums, doesn’t do big interviews or social media and his last tour involved tons of shows in Glasgow near where he lived. Let the fans come to you. Play one show a week or what you can manage.
For new artists the route to a career should go back to basics: get a following in your own local area, like we used to before the internet created artificial viral popularity and instant worldwide fame.
Another good way to tour in a more sustainable fashion is to go on the road with other bands and artists, rotate headline slots, share the spoils and the pressure. Take time between shows and limit the number of appearances overall.
Realistically this means earning less money or having another job to sustain you. Being a part time musician should be something to be proud of, a way to have a manageable career.
And fans need to step up here. We need to stop asking artists to play our towns and cities. Be happier with shorter tours or support those who don’t want to play live by getting the merchandise or physical media instead. Donate to Music Cares (or your local equivalent) who do great work to support artists looking after themselves.
And fans would also do better to stop fixating on one artist over others. Spread out the love and let celebrities breathe again. We don’t need to stan anyone to prove we love their music. Just show them respect, offer them space, don’t comment on their every move online, don’t judge their personal lives, don’t expect them to share their opinion on politics or worldwide events, don’t ask them for selfies, don’t wait outside the venue in a desperate attempt to catch a glimpse of them (yes I’m saying sorry to all artists I’ve done this to in a past life).
Fans, management, and the wider industry have a duty of care to support musicians who’re struggling. We need to prevent unravellings rather than just voyeuristically consuming them during our endless doomscrolling. We can all do better.
Please consider donating to a charity that supports the mental and physical health of musicians:
Musicares: https://musicares.org
Music Minds Matter https://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk
Highway Queens 
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