The House of Love cancels rare U.S. tour over coronavirus risk, hopes to reschedule

The House of Love today canceled what would have been the beloved indie-pop band’s first North American tour in nearly 30 years, saying the decision was made “with heavy hearts” and that the band hopes to reschedule the concerts “when the virus is contained.”

The band posted the following message from frontman Guy Chadwick on Facebook:

Dark days ahead but here is a message of hope from Guy for all our brilliant fans:

To all whom have purchased tickets to our upcoming Anniversary tour… In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, with heavy hearts, We regret to inform you we will have to postpone the tour to a time where it will be safe for all to attend. We appreciate all efforts to make this tour a reality and hope to continue on with the plan when the virus is contained.

Please stay home and stay safe during this time. we have a personal message from Guy for you on instagram but having technical issues which we try to resolve tomorrow.

The band offered no information about whether tickets would be honored at new shows or refunded.

The tour, featuring Chadwick and a new backing band, was to have started May 3 in Hamden, Conn., and include 14 more concerts, ending in Los Angeles on May 23.

The decision to call off the North American tour is hardly a surprise at this point, as concerts and tours are being canceled around the world as health officials urge people not to gather in crowds in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the highly contagious and potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.

The House of Love had never announced who was to join Chadwick for the North American dates. The U.K. indie legends’ Facebook page lists the current lineup as Chadwick, guitarist Terry Bickers, original drummer Pete Evans and bassist Matt Jury, who joined the band when it first reunited in 2003, nearly a decade after its initial breakup — and 14 years after Bickers originally left the band.

The band, on Facebook, has indicated the new lineup is only for this U.S. tour, and that Bickers remains involved with the group otherwise.

The reformed House of Love has released two albums this century, 2005’s Days Run Away and 2013’s She Paints Words in Red. The band in recent years has celebrated the 30th anniversary of its self-titled debut — 1988’s The House of Love, not to be confused with 1987 compilation The House of Love or the aforementioned 1990 sophomore set The House of Love.

 

 
Here are the canceled dates:

The House of Love tour dates

May 3: Space Ballroom, Hamden, CT
May 4: The Middle East Downstairs, Boston, MA
May 6: Gramercy Theater, New York City, NY
May 7:White Eagle Hall, New Jersey, NJ
May 8: First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA
May 10: Lee’s Palace, Toronto, ON
May 11: Subterranean, Chicago, IL
May 12: Turf Club, St. Paul, MN
May 14: Fox Theater, Vancouver, BC
May 16: Neumos, Seattle, WA
May 17: Star Theater, Portland, OR
May 19: The Chapel, San Francisco, CA
May 20: Starline Social Club, Oakland, CA
May 21: Pappy & Harriet’s, Pioneertown, CA
May 23: The Palace Theater, Los Angeles, CA

PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS

• The House of Love announces first North American tour in nearly 30 years
• The House of Love’s Creation Records debut to receive 30th anniversary 5CD box set
• The House of Love announces spring U.K. tour, previews 2 tracks off new album
• The House of Love reveals title, artwork for ‘She Paints Words in Red’ — due in spring 2013
• The House of Love announces completion of new studio album — first in 7 years
• The House of Love’s Creation Records debut to be reissued in 3CD set with demos, rarities
• Video: The House of Love makes first live appearance in 4 years at Poland’s Off Festival