'IT'S TIME TO TAKE A BREAK FOR US' THE BLINDERS SHARE NEWS OF SURPRISE HIATUS |

THE NEWS COMES DAYS AFTER NEW ALBUM RELEASE

READ OUR ALBUM REVIEW AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE BLINDERS THOMAS HAYWOOD

“First of all, thank you. The response so far to Beholder has been a real joy. We’re all delighted to have it out there and to see it connecting with so many of you.”

Having only released their critically acclaimed third studio album BEHOLDER just last week, Manchester post-punk band The Blinders have just shared an emotional statement which leaves a deep impact on the hearts of their many loyal fans.

“Unfortunately we have a bit of news.” Shared the band on social media last night (06/03) “The finances around the EU dates have collapsed at the final minute making the tour unfeasible. We apologise unreservedly. Those shows in those cities were a dream for us and we’re as disappointed as anyone that they won’t go ahead.”

The Blinders released Beholder last week

Due to set off on their European tour in little over a weeks time, the band were set to play cities such as Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam amongst several others throughout the month. Now, the band will end their short lived Beholder tour with a homecoming finale in Manchester’s New Century on March 14th. And it’s set to be an extra emotional night as the band announce a impending hiatus.

“The UK shows will go ahead as planned. However, we approach these shows knowing they’ll be our last for a while.” The news comes as a devastating blow for fans who are still basking in the excitement of a new album and iminnate live shows which began in Nottingham just last night.

The statement continues; “It’s time to take a break for us. The past ten years have been an incredible journey. We’ve swam in the seas of California. We’ve driven through the mountains of Spain. We’ve played beside the fjords of Norway and in the fields of Glastonbury. We’ve sung to each other on the porch of a ranch in TX. We’ve drank margaritas in Beverly Hills and drove to Lithuania only to freeze our bollocks off and drive all the way back again”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you to all those who have made it happen and for all those who have come along for the ride. It is only people’s love for the band that has allowed us to live these opportunities.“

It’s evident within the statement that this hasn’t been an easy decision for the band. What it does reflect though, is the impossible challenges that artists face every day being a working musician. The industry does not pay well for the majority. Often, bands end up out of pocket with recording and travel expenses trying to get their music to fans; and then there’s the increasing hidden management and marketing costs that come with being a full time band. This is reflected with the additional announcement that scheduled shows in London and Glasgow have been scaled back to venues with reduced capacity. Regardless, The Blinders promise to go out (for now) with a celebratory bang.