Sturgill Simpson / Tyler Childers Tour Cancelled Permanently
The highly-heralded and much-anticipated pairing of Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers on a big tour that saw the two non radio artists cross an important and symbolic threshhold into arena-level realm has been officially cancelled due to COVID-19, meaning there will be no more postponements and rescheduling of dates in hopes of a break in the pandemic later this year. Announced on Friday (5-1) by Sturgill Simpson, A Good Lookin’ Tour is no more.
“As incredibly disappointing as it is to announce, A Good Look’n Tour is officially cancelled,” Sturgill said. “All remaining shows will not be rescheduled to ensure everyone is refunded their money as soon as possible. There was much optimistic desire behind the scenes to reschedule postponed dates and offer refunds to anyone who desired or could not attend the new date. However no one can accurately predict when it might actually be possible to perform those shows in a safe and responsible manner and I personally would not feel good about putting thousands of people in an arena any time this year.”
Sturgill Simpson has not only now had his tour cancelled due to COVID-19, he announced earlier in April that he’d officially tested positive for the virus, and believed he might have picked it up while touring in Europe. His close friend John Prine also died due to the Coronavirus. The two shared an office together in Nashville.
“I’d very much like to personally thank all the fans, my band & crew, and the entire Tyler Childers camp for the limited amount of beautiful time we got to share together on the road this year. I look forward to getting myself healthy and a bright future full of new music to play for you when we can all be together again.”
Multiple dates on the tour had sold out, and certain cities had second shows added, proving the pairing could reach arena capacity. But ultimately, only 12 of the original 43 dates were fulfilled, with the final show happening in Charleston, South Carolina on March 10th.
According to the promoter AEG Presents, tickets purchased will automatically be refunded from the ticketing company in approximately 30 days. For purchases made in-person at a box office, fans are told to contact the venue directly.
jb
May 1, 2020 @ 6:38 pm
I expected it, don’t like it, and it’s the right call. I was looking forward to seeing them in Southaven, Mississippi.
Mama&Trains&Trucks&Prison&GettinDrunk
May 1, 2020 @ 6:45 pm
I feel bad for those that had tickets and were looking forward to this.
That being said, and I’m sure I’m going to get shit for this, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this means Tyler goes out by himself this fall when all this clears up.
jjazznola
May 1, 2020 @ 7:18 pm
I had tix but I agree that neither are really arena acts, especially Tyler. I hope they both are back on the road at some point.
Jerm
May 1, 2020 @ 11:17 pm
They just canceled a tour for the fall. What in earth are you thinking that makes you think he would be back om tour this fall? Lol
Sean
May 2, 2020 @ 5:55 am
Big difference between an arena with 18,000 vs. a theater with 2,000. Some states have begun to open up theaters. Given the death rate is less than 1%, I think folks are more inclined to go to a smaller show or even an outdoor show over a big arena show at least in some of the markets where Tyler sells very well. He could tour between Ohio and Colorado and do just fine.
Chad
May 2, 2020 @ 2:51 pm
Covid cases (and deaths) are still on the rise, states that are already opening up are unfortunately going to get hit hard. No way I’m going to a 2000 seat theater anytime soon because some science denying GOP governor thinks it’s safe.
Dirk
May 4, 2020 @ 1:58 pm
Colorado is opening at the same rate as many of the red states and you’re not bashing them. Nobody knows the perfect time to reopen but based on the latest data, it seems reasonable to start giving it a shot. Quit making this partisan ya dink.
Kevin
May 1, 2020 @ 7:09 pm
Really hope these two tour again after this is over. My show was the first to get axed and I was hoping so bad I’d get to see them.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
May 1, 2020 @ 7:45 pm
Well they’ll all be feeling silly come August when this has blown over
LC
May 4, 2020 @ 8:28 pm
Blown over. Nice euphemism for 69K deaths.
Annie
April 7, 2024 @ 1:53 pm
We’ll just file this under comments that didn’t age well.
W
May 1, 2020 @ 8:10 pm
At this point I feel its all about lawsuits. Unless you’re over 65 or have a serious underlying health condition there isn’t a need for this crap.
Jared S.
May 2, 2020 @ 6:40 am
Unless you sometimes visit someone over 65 or has a health condition, or work with people who visit someone over 65 or has a health condition….
Nah, those people don’t matter, we can just put them through a devastating illness with a high death rate because we want to go to concerts.
Deadalus
May 2, 2020 @ 8:05 am
This exactly. People saying things like that seem to be either too dim to understand it isn’t about them, it’s about the people they come into contact and the people they then come into contact with, or perhaps they are incapable of caring about the wellbeing of other people.
M
May 2, 2020 @ 8:58 am
Its not recommended you visit anyone that age whether or not you have been to a concert unless you are sure you don’t have the virus. If you have to you need to take the proper precautions.I havnt visited my parents since all this started and don’t plan to unless I am 100% sure I won’t get them sick. I am not saying I don’t think it’s not serious. At some point soon though we will have to buckle up and learn how to take proactive steps to deal with the virus that mitigate the spread to the at risk population but still let us live our lives before there is a total societal and economic collapse. It’s going to be a year and a half before a vaccine is made so the sad reality is a lot of the at risk population will have a decent chance of exposure in that time frame no matter what.
Aaron
May 2, 2020 @ 4:12 pm
“You just want old people to die!” People like you have said that so many times it’s meaningless. Also not an argument.
Antibody studies have already shown that way more people have had this than the confirmed total. The death total is also screwed up because, per the CDC, a death can be considered a covid death even without confirmation of the disease. You can also be counted as a covid death if you keel over from a heart attack and they detect that you had antibodies from prior exposure. Beyond that, a considerable amount of cases are asymptomatic. This, the death rate is lowered considerably.
It’s still a massive issue and I’m not one of those “it’s just a flu bro” types. The lockdown allowed us to determine the true severity of this disease without putting lots of people at risk. Now, it’s clear it’s not as bad as we were told. We can continue to practice different preventative measures, but to continue the lockdown is unnecessary and counterproductive.
Jared S.
May 2, 2020 @ 5:17 pm
Are you claiming that Covid19 isn’t a particularly serious and contagious disease among the elderly and those with preexisting conditions? I’d like to see data to support that conclusion.
BTW, I never argued for continuing lockdowns. But I think huge gatherings of people in closed spaces are a bad idea for awhile.
Travis
May 2, 2020 @ 8:52 pm
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2002387
Just saying data is confusing, from Dr. Fauci’s own journal entry:
“This suggests that the overall clinical consequences of Covid-19 may ultimately be more akin to those of a severe seasonal influenza (which has a case fatality rate of approximately 0.1%)”
The entry goes on to talk about the “basic reproduction number (how contagious this is) of 2.2”, but the entry fails to mention that seasonal influenza averages between .9 – 2.1 every year…
Josh
May 2, 2020 @ 10:14 pm
You’re quoting something that Fauci said in March and it’s currently May. We’ve learned quite a bit more since then.
the pistolero
May 1, 2020 @ 8:46 pm
Well, I’m sure that’s a relief to Sturgill, even if he doesn’t say it out loud.
Maybe that’ll give him time to pull his head out of his ass. We shall see.
Jerm
May 1, 2020 @ 11:16 pm
Whats your prob with sturg? You crying because he made a record with a new sound? Yeti boy wanna be arent you?
the pistolero
May 2, 2020 @ 5:35 am
You crying because he made a record with a new sound? Yeti boy wanna be arent you?
I have no idea what a “Yeti boy” is, so I am quite sure I am not a “Yeti boy wanna be.” I will admit the new album was really not to my liking.
Did you not read the Uproxx article? I mean, good Lord, I thought the shtick Eric Church was peddling a few years ago was bad, but the shit fit Sturgill threw there made Eric Church circa 2014 look like George Strait in comparison.
FixYourTeethJason
May 2, 2020 @ 6:25 am
Maybe now Sturgill can consult with Jason Isbell on how to perfect his “angry snowflake” persona…
the pistolero
May 2, 2020 @ 8:24 am
And after that, maybe write a song shitting on the fans of artists that refuse to use their platform as a political pulpit. You know, taking the message in “Be Afraid” a little further. Evolve it, one might say.
Outlaw
May 2, 2020 @ 6:34 am
Who is Eric church?
W
May 1, 2020 @ 9:07 pm
I don’t trust a musician who’s always complaining
It’s hard out here, but so is everything
You know what my job was before I did this?
I used to walk around parking lots picking up trash
Do you know how many people paid to watch me do that?
Zero, always zero
My draw was zero for the trash pick up job
So even if no one comes to this one
They still let me play guitar
I don’t trust a musician who’s always complaining
Sometimes it’s clear, sometimes it’s raining
Sometimes it’s the Gorge, sometimes it’s a garage
Get over yourself and do your god damn job
Here for Sturgill from John Criagie
HankThrilliams
May 1, 2020 @ 9:13 pm
Hopefully Childers will take the opportunity to record a better album than his last shitfest and not let Sturgill produce it. And hopefully Sturgill will stop with his unlistenable garage rock
Jerm
May 1, 2020 @ 11:14 pm
Hopefully you find someone else to listen to instead of cry just because you dont like it. I lived sturgs new album.
FixYourTeethJason
May 2, 2020 @ 6:28 am
I think somebody’s got themselves a lil’ ol’ Sturgill man crush…
Jerm
May 1, 2020 @ 11:19 pm
Also, tylers mew album was his most successful and make him a shit ton of money. So yea, just because jo blo here didn’t like it maybe he should try something different!
Jake Cutter
May 2, 2020 @ 8:15 am
By that logic, we’re Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish your favorite artists last year?
Gina
May 2, 2020 @ 12:56 am
It’s too bad but I saw this coming. We were looking forward to it but maybe Ty will tour next spring.
Harris
May 2, 2020 @ 5:07 am
It’s so weird that on a site like this that rightfully has praised these guys for making some of the best country music of recent times, you go to the comments and there’s so much over the top bile and hatred for Simpson but even one or two for Childers.
I don’t get it. I don’t love simpsons new album either but man people on here get way angrier at him than some lame ass mainstream artist who has never produced anything remotely as good. I guess that’s the internet where people think being an asshole is a personality, that’s music hipsters where being popular is a sin, and that’s America in 2020 when having different politics is worlds greatest crime.
But it’s so dumb to be a country music fan and to hate the guy who has made country music as good as Sturgill Simpson has made.
Jason
May 2, 2020 @ 6:47 am
Some are hating on Simpson for his political views too. Its not just music. I find it silly to worry about the beliefs of a person that you will never meet. You either like their music or you don’t.
Trigger
May 2, 2020 @ 8:03 am
Most of this is due to politics.
Jack W
May 2, 2020 @ 8:44 am
And to me, it’s fucking tiresome. It seems that any article with Sturgill or Isbell in the title is going to have these sniping comments and often times will have nothing to do with the article, as apparently there is no end to some people’s grievance with respect to them. My guess is that they do this repeatedly because this is a country music website, which is music for “for conservatives like them” and just feel entitled to do so. Normally, I try to just put up with it, as I’ve long understood that I’m a good deal to the left of the SCM community political center (where, as McMurtry would say, “the center is on the right”) and I’m here because of my love of country music and your writing. You talk about how “the comments are where the magic happens” and I know what you mean by that and have felt that. I’ll just say that the comment section magic is a little less for me personally these days. A sign of the times, perhaps.
Jake Cutter
May 2, 2020 @ 9:08 am
Agree in a way, but also interesting that comments like this are becoming almost as predictable as the political arguments themselves. EVERYTHING in our culture has become more politicized. There is no reason to think that a country music website’s comments section wouldn’t have these types of conversations, especially about people who seem to encourage it. Also, if you see Sturgill in the title, it’s pretty easy to avoid not talking about country music, since he doesn’t make country music any more.
Trigger
May 2, 2020 @ 11:15 am
I definitely recognize that these comments sections have been more contentious lately, and there’s probably numerous reasons for that, including the Coronavirous putting everyone on edge, the politicizing of everything in America (including the Coronavirus), and frankly, the words of Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell specifically, which at times have been shared to be provocative.
Comments that cross a line are deleted, and problem commenters have their comments first sent to moderation. But beyond that, I’m not going to aggressively gerrymander these comment sections to offer a more balanced perspective. That’s just not my place, and a move towards censorship I’m strictly opposed to. As ugly as these comments are, I think its important feedback for what happens when artists choose to cross swords with their fan bases. That interview in Uproxx did Sturgill no favors.
But I do wish people could separate their political ideologies from their music opinions. This was an extremely important tour in the grand scheme of things that was validation for the power of independent roots music, and its cancellation is devastating on many levels. THAT is where our focus here should be, not on grinding axes against Sturgill once again for the same damn stuff.
But I also want to point out that this isn’t what everyone is doing, it’s just the loudest voices. If people on the left, or people who are apolitical pull away from these comment sections, it’s just going to make it worse. Everyone should feel welcome to share their opinion here, especially if it’s in the minority. As bad as some of these comment sections have been, I use them very specifically as a barometer of public sentiment, as do others. But if segments of the public don’t participate, it gives an incomplete picture.
Jake Cutter
May 2, 2020 @ 3:13 pm
You can’t please everyone. The fact that there are people out there who can’t handle other opinions, or their own being critiqued isn’t really worth worrying about IMO. Especially when they have the option to read and comment on your overwhelming majority of articles that aren’t about controversial people. Lori McKenna has hardly any comments and half of them are mine. The complainers aren’t complaining about the comment section in general… they’re complaining that not everyone agrees with their take on a certain couple of of artists. Don’t lose sleep over it, you do a good job.
Ryan
May 2, 2020 @ 9:01 pm
I appreciate this comment but my biggest takeaway is a revelation about that James McMurtry song. I always thought that was his way of saying that the town out in the middle was left-of-center, since the center is on the right. I never considered that he was saying the actual center was moved to the right. Not what I expected to learn from these comments.
Jack W
May 3, 2020 @ 7:38 am
Thanks for the response, Trigger. I definitely do not expect nor advocate you censoring the comment sections so that they reflect a more balanced perspective. Just some thoughts from a long time reader on the other side of the political divide who felt the need to let off some steam.
AndrewEsq
May 6, 2020 @ 3:43 pm
nobody should be censored. However, I’ve never been so embarrassed to be a “real” country music fan.
The opinion that people who don’t like the embarrassment this “community” has become shouldn’t even be worried about because they’re just delicate is fine but, the fact of the matter is, I know more than one artist (from both political camps) who’s declining to make new music available to the public because they no longer want to be associated with this “community.” That’s OUR loss regardless of our personal politics and it’s deserved.
The only thing that I don’t think adds up is why The ARTISTS who have caused this musical movement to become a remedial political s&@t show aren’t being held accountable for their actions. If Cody Jinks or Chris Knight came out spewing hate towards liberal country fans I’d be just as convinced he should be held accountable for making something positive embarrassing but, the fact of the matter is, there’s a reason the most disgusting comments from supporters of both parties concentrate under Jason and Sturgill articles. I won’t go so far with Jason but, STurgill Simpson has single handedly done more damage to country music and it’s community than any other artist since at least the 80s and he should be held accountable for that regardless of who you vote for. He’s hurt us where it counts with the people that matter and in a way no pop country act ever could. He’s divided a once united community down the middle in a way that only harms the country music we ALL loved regardless of which political party has deceived us into believing they’re decent. As a day one diehard fan who rediscovered modern country music through Sturgill, I hope he never plays another country note.
AndrewEsq
May 6, 2020 @ 3:56 pm
It should be noted I also liked and agree with trigger in regards to his position in this fiasco and that I support musician’s right to make political statements through their art/music if they so choose. Hell, I liked “folded flag” but, there’s a difference between conveying a political message through music and detracting from music by talking in a way that alienates people who should be allies.
FixYourTeethJason
May 2, 2020 @ 11:59 am
I agree that Sturgill has made some great country music in the past decade. My problem with Sturgill is NOT his political views. My problem with Sturgill is his castigation of me for MY political views (i.e., all Trump supporters are racists.) I have no problem with someone of an opposing ideology as long as they don’t bash me for MY position. Willie and Kris have supported liberal causes for years and I have absolutely no problem with that. But you don’t hear them making blanket statements about a large demographic just because said demographic’s ideology differs from theirs. That’s a lesson Simpson and Isbell would be wise to note.
Harris
May 2, 2020 @ 1:12 pm
I could be wrong but I suspect the real difference between kristofferson/willie and Sturgill/Isbell is even if you understand intellectually that kristofferson and willie are left wing people, you aren’t emotionally invested in defending the politicians and policies that they criticized. “We are all against the war now” is a famous phrase meaning nobody is invested in defending the righteousness of the Vietnam war anymore. But that sure was different when it was going on.
I think the real difference is you are much more emotionally invested in Donald Trump and therefore feel personally attacked when he’s criticized as opposed to say Richard Nixon. Someone who is easy to mock now but once upon a time was elected by the largest landslide in American history.
FixYourTeethJason
May 2, 2020 @ 7:22 pm
And I, respectfully, think you are wrong.
For the Birds
May 3, 2020 @ 8:24 am
Honestly, I think Jason keeping his trailer park teeth is really endearing. Whatever happened to #WorkingClassSolidarity?
Blackh4t
May 2, 2020 @ 2:57 pm
Well, to me its more like a relationship where you find an artist you love, even if no one else does, and you give them your time and money and insist your friends like them.
Then they cheat on you with other genres, or say that you’re nothing but a redneck loser and never meant anything to them.
And while you wallow in heartbreak, you have to put up with hearing more of their side of the story, and other people praising them, with your only comeback some comments on news articles.
Jill
May 2, 2020 @ 6:41 am
We had tickets for the Hampton show…Very disappointed that we didn’t get to go, but they made the right call…. Only hoping that we will one day get to see live music again
Ells Eastwood
May 2, 2020 @ 9:02 am
Personally I was really looking forward to a big visual production of Sound and Fury. I love ALL of Sturgill’s records. Love Childer’s live show mix of country band/jam band too. That’s more of my bag though I guess, and I’m one to prefer an artist explore, expand and progress their vision… Not to say either of those guys is the genius of our generation, but there’s a lot of artists that don’t push at all.
Mouths of Babes
May 2, 2020 @ 5:03 pm
If you were looking forward to Sturgill’s “Big Visual Production” then it’s probably a good thing you got your money back. The only things he bought for production was some red light bulbs and goofy ass matching jackets for the band. No visuals whatsoever. Most artist bring entertainment to arenas; Sturgill brought a demonstration in the subtraction of audience members.
Ells Eastwood
May 2, 2020 @ 5:14 pm
Well shit, I was hoping for some theatrics. Last time I was at the Forum in L.A. was for Iron Maiden but I was hoping Sturgil would at least have a screen with the movie… I saw some clips that were hot fire, musically. For the ticket price I was sure they were going to roll out some “bang for the buck” TF am I spending hundreds for an arena show for if they do the same thing they do for $14 in a club?
Mouths of Babes
May 2, 2020 @ 7:17 pm
You hit the nail on the head. Sturgill brought a $14 club show to an arena. He started by playing the new album front to back with no production and totally killed the vibe that Tyler had set. People were pouring out of the arena to continue drinking at local bars. It was definitely a bold move by Sturgill. This was the Feb 28, Lexington KY show.
jim bob
May 2, 2020 @ 9:55 am
I think it is the right decision. This allows Sturgill to devote more time to his primary profession, which is hating Heap Big Orange Chief and complaining.
I don’t mind someone referencing politics and casually stating their beliefs. dialogue is good, but when someone goes out of their way to take shots and manipulate the conversation to yap about the president it diminishes my ability to appreciate the artist. i find this most glaring with lucinda and how EVERYTHING has to relate back to how much she hates the cheeto in the oval office. she will be rewriting old songs to reflect this soon.
He went back to lake charles, because he was ashamed Trump was president.
i changed the locks on my front door, because of Trumps immigration policy.
just shut up and dance to the organ grinder music, monkey.
FixYourTeethJason
May 2, 2020 @ 12:14 pm
Well said. It’s like Isbell and Simpson are waving a big “I’m woke” sign to the media. I think this may have something to do with their rural Southern beginnings. So anxious are they to distance themselves from their places of origin that they use every interview to insert a “progressive” soundbite. “Hey, you make think I’m a hillbilly, but my views line up perfectly with the folks in New York and LA.” If they would just state their viewpoints without bashing those who do not agree with them, I think a lot more people would go back to focusing on their music.
mesohappy
May 2, 2020 @ 3:03 pm
Bye Felicia.
FixYourTeethJason.
May 3, 2020 @ 12:59 pm
I think I’ll stick around.
BamaMan
May 12, 2020 @ 12:39 pm
Regardless of where you come down on things, I don’t think Sturgill or Isbell should be held to a higher standard of decency in terms of how they talk about politics than the President himself.
Matt Poss
May 2, 2020 @ 11:32 am
Sturgill isn’t making it easy to keep carrying his flag these days. Granted, he never asked me to do that, but he’s also making me feel like he doesn’t want me to. I understand the game, and I understand why some people market themselves by polarizing their audience. However, I find myself increasingly on the “wrong” side of that polarization.
I’m a fan and have been since the beginning, but it’s getting increasingly harder to root for someone who is spitting in my face with his words. It’s one thing to say “I’m a liberal and I think I’m correct. It’s quite another to say “you’re a conservative and you’re wrong, and I dont want to associate with you and my art is not for you.”
Would I be wrong in assuming a lot of folk’s frustration with Sturgill lies right here? Honestly, I just need to quit reading his press and just listen to the music.
FixYourTeethJason
May 2, 2020 @ 12:42 pm
You hit the nail directly on the head.
Gina
May 2, 2020 @ 3:52 pm
Honestly I agre with you. And I’m a liberal or I used to be when it actually meant being liberal. Isbell is so preachy it makes me crazy.
eckiezZ!
May 2, 2020 @ 2:31 pm
That’s for the best.
Sturgill’s entire album/tour cycle has been FUBAR from the beginning.
Teach him to blow a whole chunk of his life on a ridiculous synth rock art project.
FixYourTeethJason
May 2, 2020 @ 3:02 pm
He ain’t been the same since Little Joe left…
Mostly Metal
May 4, 2020 @ 2:15 pm
Agree. I had tickets to a show and because my billing address was I another state they cancelled the fucking order as a ‘suspected scalper’. He’ll never get another dime from me. Karma is a bitch.
Dan
May 5, 2020 @ 7:24 am
Oh no however will he go on. Figured you show up sooner or later. Are you still teaching the NFL a lesson? Or reminding everyone that you pay their salary? Was that you i saw the other day unintelligibly berating some kids working at a Jimmy John’s that never again would they have the privelege of hearing your self important ramblings about your 8 fucking dollars and karma. Karma is a ridiculous made up concept made up and thrown around by idiots like you who get so irrationally mad at anyone or anything you cannot understand. Karma is not a bitch; you are.
thegentile
May 5, 2020 @ 8:08 am
yeah, because sturgill is the person who is mailing all the tickets out…
Mostly Metal
May 5, 2020 @ 9:07 am
It’s not him, it’s the person who promotes his shows and who he chooses to do business with. Dan must be the promoter.
Hannah
May 2, 2020 @ 9:11 pm
I think a lot more acts are cancelling rather than postponing shows so folks can actually get their money back. I was set to see this tour next week and I am bummed as hell, but as someone who works in healthcare I know I wouldn’t wanna be around that many people right now/potentially bring something back to vulnerable patients. I know these guys will come around again and I will look forward to it til then.
hoptowntiger94
May 3, 2020 @ 9:10 am
Hopefully, this affords Sturgill the chance to burn the Sound & Fury masters.