News

Keane Cancels North American Tour

British rockers Keane have officially cancelled their North American tour, after earlier postponing it while singer Tom Chaplin entered a rehab clinic for drug and alcohol dependency.

In a statement on the band's website, keyboardist Tim Rice-Oxley explained that Chaplin was not yet ready to return to the road. "With the first dates in America only a fortnight away, his doctors feel there is undue pressure on Tom to rush through rehab and get back out on the road," Rice-Oxley wrote. "That's why, between the three of us, we've decided to cancel the North American tour. We'd like to apologise to the fans who've bought tickets, but we've done this in the best interests of our friend -- which, ultimately, is in the best interests of the band too."

The band now plans to resume touring in October, when they're scheduled to play dates in the UK and Europe.

Caught up in the Keane cancellations are fellow Brit-rockers Razorlight, who were scheduled to open for Keane as well as headline their own dates in New York and Los Angeles. Keane's decision to abandon their North American tour has forced Razorlight to cancel their tour plans, as well -- a situation that must make the band feel somewhat cursed, since they were forced to cancel another U.S tour two years ago when lead singer Johnny Borrell became too exhausted to stay on the road.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
09.11.06