TULSA, OKLAHOMA – The Black Keys, the popular American rock duo, has unexpectedly canceled their much-anticipated “International Players Tour,” which was set to promote their latest album, Ohio Players. The North American leg of the tour was scheduled to commence on September 17th in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with stops planned in various cities such as Austin, Seattle, and Atlanta. However, all but one of the scheduled concerts have been removed from the band’s website as of now. Ticketmaster also confirms the cancellations of the shows.
Despite the lack of a public statement from The Black Keys regarding the tour’s abrupt halt, ticket availability data obtained from Ticketmaster suggests that poor ticket sales may have been a contributing factor. Some fans have expressed disappointment in the high ticket prices, which ranged from $100 to $300 for the tour. Additionally, the commercial success of their latest album, Ohio Players, has been notably lower than their previous releases in the past two decades. The album debuted at number 26 on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release in April, in stark contrast to the number 8 opening for their 2022 album, Dropout Boogie.
It is important to mention that The Black Keys have a history of touring arenas in the past, but Ohio Players did not perform as well commercially as their previous albums. As a result, the cancellations of the North American tour come as a setback to the band and their fans. As of now, The Black Keys’ only upcoming live performance is scheduled for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 6th.
In light of the tour cancellations, efforts have been made to reach out to the band’s representatives for further information and clarification on the situation. The sudden decision to cancel the tour has left many fans disappointed and curious about the reasons behind the unexpected change in plans. Despite this setback, loyal followers of The Black Keys are hopeful for future opportunities to experience the band’s electrifying performances live.
The unexpected turn of events surrounding The Black Keys’ tour has sparked conversations within the music industry, with analysts and fans speculating on the implications of the cancellations on the band’s reputation and future endeavors. As the rock duo navigates through this unforeseen challenge, supporters and critics alike are eager to see how The Black Keys will address the situation and what their next steps will be in the aftermath of the canceled tour.