Journey's 2020 headlining tour in North America with The Pretenders has been canceled, according to the bands' statements on Monday, May 4.
In a press release available on Journey's website, it is said that the restrictions on large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic, "regretfully make it impossible for Journey to tour this year." The band's statement said that they decided to cancel their upcoming tour to allow fans and patrons to "immediately obtain access to refund options" after looking over their options.
Vocalist Arnel Pineda, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, and guitarist Neal Schon also released a joint statement, saying that "there is no greater thrill for us than playing for our incredibly devoted audience," but that safety comes first. The joint statement then notes what the world had gone through in the last 45 days and the uncertainty of the coming days. Journey band members also emphasized the right thing to do - not to put their fans' in jeopardy and allowing quick access to refund options following these unfortunate circumstances.
Their statement, available on their social media accounts, extended their gratitude to first responders and essential workers, including medical and law enforcement personnel, for their "heroic efforts." Journey also thanked their fans "for doing everything possible to stay safe" and sent their best wishes to The Pretenders, hoping to see them in the future.
View this post on Instagram"There is no greater thrill for us than playing for our incredibly devoted audience, but their safety must come first. Having seen what the world has endured during the last 45 days, and not knowing what the rest of this year or 2021 will bring, we knew the right thing to do was to make sure our fans' health was not put in jeopardy and to provide immediate access to refund options given the unexpected events caused by this terrible virus. We would like to thank all doctors, nurses, police, other first responders and essential workers for their heroic efforts; as well as our fans for doing everything possible to stay safe. We would also like to send The Pretenders our best wishes and hope to see them in the future. We will see everyone again as soon as it is safe to tour, and we will share that news as it becomes available. In the meantime, please Don't Stop Believin' in the wonder of life and in each other." @nealschon @jonathancainmusic @arnelpineda2007 LINK IN BIO for full statement and refund information A post shared by Journey (@journeymusicofficial) on May 4, 2020 at 9:00am PDT
"In the meantime, please Don't Stop Believin' in the wonder of life and in each other," the statement said.
The Pretenders retweeted Journey's statement, saying that they're sorry to share the news with a link to a page containing recent news relating to Journey.
We are sorry to have to share this news from Journey with you all.https://t.co/kPkk0hT6AS
Stay safe.
- Pretenders HQ https://t.co/IypHZzlJXb — The Pretenders (@ThePretendersHQ) May 4, 2020
Journey and The Pretenders' North American tour was initially set to kick off at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield, WA, on May 15 and end at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY on September 12. Journey is set to perform hits like "Don't Stop Believin," "Faithfully," "Open Arms," and "Any Way You Want It" across more than 60 stops across the United States opposite The Pretenders' songs, "Don't Get Me Wrong," "Brass in Pocket," "I'll Stand By You," and "Middle of the Road."
Journey's headlining tour is the latest among the growing list of music events affected by the COVID pandemic and compelled to cancel or postpone. Others are concerts from Lionel Richie, Bon Iver, BTS, The Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, Santana, Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Tool, and more.
The pandemic has also left more than 26 million Americans filing for unemployment, prompting the government to pass the Coronavirus Stimulus Bill that aims to keep the economy afloat by injecting $2 trillion in the form of loans and grants to eligible people affected by the pandemic. The bill also included workers from the music industry - those displaced due to event postponements and cancelations.
According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, the United States now has more than 1.1 million confirmed cases, resulting in almost 70,000 deaths.
