Icon For Hire have announced the cancellation of their 2022 European tour, citing “growing economic concerns in Europe” and “airline misplacement of music gear.” The news dropped on October 20, leaving fans both disappointed and deeply understanding.
The Announcement
The band broke the news in a statement shared across their social media pages; it was short, direct, and full of emotion. Frontwoman Ariel Bloomer wrote:
We are absolutely devastated to share that we have to cancel our upcoming European tour. Between the rising costs of travel and the loss of some of our essential gear, we simply can’t make it happen right now
Fans had been eagerly anticipating the tour, which was set to include dates in the UK, Germany, France, and Italy. Many had already booked travel and hotels. The band promised full refunds through ticket vendors and expressed hope for a future return.
Ariel continued, “This decision breaks our hearts. We’ve waited so long to see you all again, but after so many challenges, we had to choose what would keep the band sustainable for the long term.”
Economic Pressure Hits Hard
The phrase “growing economic concerns” has become a familiar one in 2022; rising fuel prices, inflation, and post-pandemic financial strain have made touring more expensive than ever. For independent bands like Icon For Hire, every mile costs more than it did before. Transporting crew, equipment, and merch across multiple borders has become a logistical headache.
Touring Europe used to be a celebration for the band; now, it’s a financial gamble. The group has long prided itself on being independent—funding albums, tours, and merch directly through fan support. But even independence has limits when faced with skyrocketing travel costs.
As Ariel put it, “We’ve always done this the DIY way, but the truth is, the numbers just stopped making sense. We can’t ask our team to take losses or compromise the show’s quality. That’s not fair to anyone.”
The Gear Disaster
To make matters worse, part of the band’s touring gear was misplaced by an airline during transit earlier this month; the loss reportedly included key sound equipment and instruments essential for their live setup. Some items were recovered, others weren’t.
Ariel explained, “It’s one of those things you never think will happen until it does. You hand over your life’s work in a few flight cases, and somehow, not everything comes back. Replacing that gear in time for the tour wasn’t possible.”
The band had been rehearsing for weeks, planning to debut new arrangements and visuals from their latest album, Amorphous. Without their custom gear, recreating that sound and production became impossible on short notice.
Fans React With Empathy
Within hours of the announcement, fans flooded the comments with love and support. Some shared their own stories of canceled travel plans; others offered to donate or start fundraisers to help cover losses.
One fan wrote, “We’d rather wait and see you when things are right than have you struggle through it now.” Another said, “You’ve always been honest with us, and that’s why we’ll always stand by you.”
The overwhelming tone was one of empathy, not frustration. Icon For Hire’s fanbase has long been built on transparency and mutual respect; Ariel and guitarist Shawn Jump have always been open about the challenges of independent touring, and that honesty seems to have paid off again.
Looking Ahead
While the cancellation stings, Ariel made it clear this isn’t the end. “We’re not giving up on Europe,” she said. “We’ll be back when we can do it right. We’re already talking about ways to make up for it, whether that’s special shows or something new entirely.”
For now, the band plans to regroup, focus on writing, and continue connecting with fans through livestreams and online events.
“We miss being out there,” Ariel concluded, “but sometimes, taking a step back is the only way to move forward.”
Final Thoughts
It’s another reminder of how fragile live music still feels in 2022; even established independent acts like Icon For Hire are navigating a landscape full of uncertainty. Touring remains the heartbeat of the industry, yet it’s also where the financial strain hits hardest.
For now, fans will have to wait a little longer to scream along to Amorphous in person. But if Icon For Hire’s history is anything to go by, this pause is temporary. The comeback will be worth it.