Singer-songwriter JP Saxe has announced the cancellation of his upcoming fall tour, citing insufficient ticket sales as the primary reason. Despite hopes of promoting his recent EP, Make Yourself At Home, at venues with capacities ranging from 2,000 to 3,000, Saxe revealed that he did not reach the necessary ticket sales to proceed.
Earlier this week, Saxe indicated via social media that he needed to sell approximately 20,000 tickets within a short span of 48 hours to keep the tour viable. On Friday, he confirmed that sales fell short, with only “a few thousand extra tickets” sold. Saxe expressed his gratitude to fans who purchased tickets, stating, “I am beyond grateful to every one of you who bought one. Those few thousand tickets are a reminder that being transparent in failure sometimes can be more powerful than the facade of success.”
Saxe’s Commitment to Honesty and Growth
In a heartfelt TikTok message, Saxe apologized for the tour cancellation and emphasized that all purchased tickets would be refunded. He humorously added, “with a small side of immense gratitude from a dorky ginger Canadian.” Saxe ended his video by acknowledging his embarrassment but also expressed a strong ambition to ensure such a situation does not occur again, stating his desire to create “the most honest music” possible.
The singer also penned an op-ed for Variety, elaborating on his decision to prioritize honesty over more conventional explanations often used in the industry. He reflected, “The suggestion was: take the L, try again next year. The industry standard in this situation is to offer some ego-saving explanation.” Saxe chose to be candid about his circumstances, writing, “Hey, I guess people aren’t really fucking with me right now.”
Industry Trends and Challenges
Saxe’s experience is not isolated; numerous artists have faced similar challenges in recent years. Factors such as overly ambitious venue selections have led to cancellations across the music industry. For example, the Black Keys recently canceled a planned 2024 arena tour, joining other notable acts like the Fugees and Weezer, which also scrapped tours due to low ticket sales.
As artists navigate the complexities of live performances in a competitive landscape, Saxe’s transparency and willingness to share his journey may resonate with fans and fellow musicians alike. He concluded his op-ed with a hopeful perspective for the future, noting that overcoming struggles can ultimately contribute to personal and professional growth.