The Smiley Smile Message Board

From America (the band) Facebook page less than an hour ago:

https://m.facebook.com/Americaband?tsid=0.15317137679085135&source=typeahead#!/story.php?story_fbid=965212036864897&id=142221522497290&refid=17&_ft_=top_level_post_id.965212036864897&__tn__=%2As

Sorry, tried to cut and paste the text, but can't from my phone. Hope the link works.

Aww man... I don't like the words "final European tour"...

I think they might be booking more US dates for September. I know of one US date for September that hasn't apparently been "officially" announced (worth nothing is that its date falls prior to the scheduled UK dates; I had assumed they were perhaps just doing a few US warm-up gigs before going to the UK).

Can someone cut and paste the text so that we can have it on the thread?

In addition to artists just going back and doing more tours after their “Farewell Tour”, there can also be a distinction between “final tour” and “final show.” Brian’s touring has slowed in more recent years, but I could picture him effectively “retiring” but still doing an odd show here and there.

https://www.facebook.com/Americaband/posts/965212036864897

Hopefully that works....

Thanks heyjude, but I meant the text of the actual post.

Ahhh, gotcha. Here goes:

Disappointing news:
"Due to the overwhelming success of Brian Wilson’s movie ‘Love and Mercy’ which has opened in the US to critical acclaim, Brian has had to postpone his current UK tour (which includes America) planned for September 2015 due to commitments in the US. He will be back in the UK and Europe in 2016 with a string of concerts to mark the 50th Anniversary of his seminal album ‘Pet Sounds, which will be his final European tour’."

Disappointing for sure, but Brian's 73 years old. Sooner or later the man deserves to relax.

Thanks!! :-)

I’m sure someone will soon undoubtedly question if booking more US shows might be a convenient way of avoiding slow-selling UK dates in arguably overly-huge venues. I selfishly can’t complain too much if more US dates materialize as a result. But a bummer for fans who bought tickets.

Looks like the UK might get a PS tour next year, though. (Can we now assume the already-extremely-likely, which is no BB PS reunion next year?)

True and it seems as reasonable of a time as any to "say goodbye" next year with the 50th anniversary of "Pet Sounds" looming.  It really makes me wonder how much longer M&B are going to be out there as well?  I wonder if M&B try to stretch it to "Sixty years of..." or will they pack it in over the next couple years as well?  Summer's Gone.

I'd be fine if both touring factions hung it up next year. I'd love to see them live forever and tour forever, but we haven't reached that level of human evolution yet.

They deserve to enjoy the rest of their lives outside of trying to please other people.

Ah, crap!  Why can't they move it to smaller venues, like they did in the US recently?

Trying to fill the O2 was a huge miscalculation from the start.  Mike and Bruce only aimed to fill the Albert Hall (albeit twice, and that's still not as many people that can fill the O2) and that's with the strength of the Beach Boys name behind them.

Also, I'd like to hear NPP stuff, rather than PS again.

The better question is why would people book an artist whose tours lose money every time in the O2 to begin with?

While it’s easy to assume this is all due to poor ticket sales (which none of the actual parties involved will likely ever admit to in a press release), that *may* not be the only factor.

That blurb from America kind of implies there’s interest for more bookings and/or promotion in the US for the film, which itself isn’t exactly the best PR for ditching the UK shows (though better perhaps than “due to slow ticket sales”).

There may be increased interest for more US bookings. It may not mean anything in relation to the UK tour, but as I mentioned, there was and is already one US booking for the first half of September (with at least Al in tow, not sure about Blondie), so it’ll be interesting to see if Brian actually does a full-on second leg of touring in September in North America.

'....due to commitments in the US.'

Bit like Al having to pull out of Brians tour a few years back to 'complete his album'.

We'll see but it sounds like a load of BS.

Not in the UK, they don't.

Absolutely.

I had tickets for the show at the o2.  Hopefully the cool deep cuts from recent shows and NPP will still be in the set list come next year, not to mention Al and Blondie...man I hope I get the chance to see Blondie do his thing with Brian and co.

Or maybe I need to visit the USA for the first time in my life this year, seems like a good reason to (doubt I actually will).  And then if all The Beach Boys tour Pet Sounds next year I won't have missed out on a unique Brian Wilson band line up (I was also really stoked about seeing Matt J live as well).  Fingers crossed.

At least I finally got to see Mike and Bruce perform their esteemed 'European' set list last month.

Does anyone find it odd that the only mention of this is on the America Facebook page? No mention on Brian's official pages.

I have a ticket for Leeds. It's a contract. I'll be there to keep my side of the contract, and Mr Wilson better be there to keep his.

;)

Nah… I'll miss him and his terrific band for sure but I suspect there's regrouping to be done in the wake of L&M's success. BW's star is in the ascendence yet again – very deservedly so – and it needs handling properly. Hopefully Howie's been appointed manager by now…

And hopefully the rebooked tour can, in 2016, include the RFH, his spiritual home here in the UK… four nights okay, Bri? See ya there!  Special guests Blondie, Dave, Ricky, Mike, Bruce, Matt, Billy, Jeff… main players Darian, Scott, Scotty, Nicky, Nelson, Brian E., Taylor, Mikie, JohnC., Tim, Probyn, Jim, Bob, Paul, Brett, Stockholm Strings 'n' Horns et al – Pet Sounds one more time… go out in style, on a wave!






A (tipsy) girl can dream…

Going by past history. No.

I agree that elderly men need to relax at some point, but I assume that all parties do it because they want to (Mike, particularly), rather than just doing it to please people.  As for me, I consider all this a bonus.  I last saw Brian solo in 2011, and back then I kind of assumed that was the final time.

On the plus side, if I'm getting my £91 back from this, there's my longed-for mental justification for purchasing at least one very expensive Kevin Gray-mastered SACD.

That should buy you three…!

Yeah...but difficult to justify for me at the moment.  Gonna dip my toe in the water, probably with Surfer Girl.

I'm gutted about this.  I felt at the time that the venues were not suitable.  Why not just keep it the way it has been previously over here.  So I'm very sceptical it's to do with the success of 'Love and Mercy'.  It would also be a big slap in the face to the UK fans who have been so loyal to the group and Brian over the years.  I don't think they would cancel a UK tour to add more US dates.  It would be a bad PR move in itself and send out the wrong message to fans over here.  So either it is the case or it's a poor cover story for poor ticket sales.

I also don't think the winding down argument holds true either or the tour wouldn't have been booked in the first place. I'm ok if Brian wants to quit touring as he's given us enough over the years.  But I don't think that's the reason either.

I would have loved to have seen Blondie live with Brian and Al.  As for refunds I have a spare ticket I was going to sell (Row D) now I won't have the problem!  But I will keep my own ticket in the hope the tour happens next year.

My gut tells me that he is about to retire. I don't think that he will ever stray outside of the U.S. Again.
I am being a bit selfish but I was hoping that he might add some dates in California when I am there in September.
Zeppo

Yeah but why all of a sudden?  Why not think about that before announcing the tour or after it finishes?

Brian has never missed a show in his solo career.

If these shows were postponed -- if -- then they simply couldn't shift the tickets. It happens. It's the biz.

Maybe a reunion is in the works  ::)

Bummer for those who bought tickets but hold tight, he'll be back

There are a myriad of possible reasons behind this. But I would tend to doubt "Brian is about to retire" is among them. As we've often noted, the idea of winding down the touring is quite possible. But they wouldn't abruptly cancel UK dates and say he's coming to the UK in 2016, while still in the early days of a month-long US tour, if they were feeling he "needs" to "retire."

I would highly doubt any of this means a reunion this year, as if Brian canceled the UK dates to do something with the BB's. Mike has shows booked through the end of this year, if not next year.

What wouldn't surprise me is if Brian's people are pissed that America posted this on their Facebook page first.

Sounds like tickets aren't selling so PS next year with probably some NPP thrown in. Fifty years of PS was always going to be best received in the UK and it has been a music generation since it was done in the early 00s.

And yes, Brians people will be p!ssed with America.

A longer version of the statement has been posted on Brian's Facebook:

Due to the overwhelming success of Brian Wilson’s movie ‘Love and Mercy’ which has opened in the US to critical acclaim,
Brian has had to postpone his current UK tour planned for September 2015 due to commitments in the US. He will be back in the UK and Europe in 2016 with a string of concerts to mark the 50th Anniversary of his seminal album ‘Pet Sounds, which will be his final European tour’. Brian says “ I’m sorry I won’t be able to make these shows this year, but I look forward to seeing all my fans in 2016 to help me celebrate 50 years of ‘Pet Sounds’. This will be my final European tour. I hope you all enjoy my movie when it opens in the UK on July 10th, I’ll see you all soon, Best Brian
Tickets holders are advised to get refunds for the 2015 shows from the point of purchase

Confirmed by Brian. Final UK tour then.

1. Why would the news appear in the America fanpage?

2. Final tours aside, does anybody really think Brian will ever stop making and recording music as long as he lives?

3. Does anybody really think Mike will retire from touring?

America was supposed to open for Brian; no; no.

As far as No2 goes.....

Wilson also admitted although he may be forced to retire in the near future, he'd like to keep making music for as long as possible.

http://www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/entertainment-news/170502/Brian-Wilson-cant-write-a-song-to-save-his-life

Where is the September date?

Sept. 11 — San Francisco, CA (Davies Symphony Hall, 8 p.m., with Al Jardine)

I understand most are suggesting he canceled due to poor ticket sales, but let's take the statement at face value. What kind of US commitments could he have connected to Love & Mercy? It would seem the promotional launch is essentially done. Gearing up for the awards season???

Brian has to gear up to play John Cusack for the remainder of the promotion and awards season. It takes months to apply the prosthetics, apparently.

Maybe Mike can be happy now that he's cornered the 2015 market on the UK.

I would think just the time and effort going in to organizing a tour of the UK would come at a cost. If he has to cancel to personally be involved in awards promotion I would be very surprised and suspect UK promoters would be calling their lawyers.

It was a bad idea for Brian Wilson to go to Britain, not long after the Beach Boys toured through, to play concerts.  He's playing the same music as the BB's and the tickets are not cheap in price.  There's only so much Beach Boys' music the concert market can bear.     

I'm going down the route of a refund now and buy again next year. Suspect there might be many different - aka smaller! - venues booked next time around. Might be able to get better seats too!

It does seem a little disingenuous to cancel the European dates so that more US dates can be added - i mean, what will they do if the movie is even more successful here when it opens on July 10? reinstate the cancelled UK dates and cancel the newly booked US shows for which the UK shows were cancelled for? Remember too that they pulled the Pet Sounds repertoire out of the bag to boost the Jeff Beck/BW ticket sales a while back.

At the end of the day though I hope Brian gets the universal acclaim he deserves out of all this, and that he brings his Pet Sounds tour here to great acclaim. Again…

Refraining from the justifiably smug "I told you", it will be instructive to see if the tour is rebooked in the same massively oversized venues next year.

Well , considering the Venues booked is anyone really surprised ? I think (or should I say the management HOPED) some bods completely oversold the proposed success of NPP and the L&M Film (which hasn't been released yet in the UK) and made one monumental Financial/Budgetary aspired balls up.

Must admit that the ONLY thing that initially sold this tour to me (I have seen Brian 30+ times) was the fact that Al and Blondie would be there - Nevermind  :violin

Still on a personal note, I recently finished my contract so am in the process of finding gainful employment SO am looking forward to the refund of 4 gig tickets.  

Onward and upwards

Main fears for next year are that:

a) Al and/or Blondie won't be involved
b) As a reaction to the poor ticket sales, the bookings will go the other way and just be a bunch of RFH dates. If there's no Manchester Apollo show, I'm going to get a Mike Love tattoo on my forehead in protest.

Yep, got one of those already on my anatomy - Just a quick change of the letter I to A  :lol

Ref a) Yes totally agree

Oh f***. This is really dissappointing.

This is indeed pish! That is one lame excuse. Is there really much doubt that it has been driven by poor ticket sales in oversized venues? Why not just be honest? I was going to the Glasgow show. I was looking forward to the NPP material. Yes, yes Pet Sounds is amazing but I've heard it live many times. I can't come up with any reasons why the success of L&M would give Brian more commitments in September. Disappointed and perhaps less inclined to re-buy tickets next year (or maybe not).

Is that what you call "refraining"?

Of course a certain UK astrologer told us this  just after the tour was announced. And many of us realised that these venues were not a sensible choice.

oh, somebody said the venues were too big. Same guy who said no soundtrack to a certain film. Smarta....

As of now, am disinclined to show much interest in hearing Pet Sounds Live again. Sorry to say, but that ship sailed.

And when in 2016 ?  Who feels like holding dates or postponing things to catch one evening?   Last European Tour has a ring to it. Not sure if that ring is ka-ching however.

"Disappointment " is not a strong enough word

I don't actually recall Andrew telling us so in the first place, but anyway.

Had a repetitious mess of six emails from See Tickets.  First, they said the tickets will be valid for the rescheduled shows.  Then, later emails said the money paid for these shows will be refunded via the payment method used within 3-5 days.  Fine.  I'd rather re-book when the time comes, then I can pick my area and seat for the new venue.

Wasn't surprised by the news.  Was just waiting to hear it, really.  But it's still dismaying, largely because it would be cool to see the same tour that is happening in the US now with Al and Blondie.  I'd rather hear a long, mixed show with some NPP stuff and some surprise rarities.  That would be experiencing Brian as a current artist, pushing on, and still exploring the back catalogue.  Another 'album show', one we've seen already, is a backward step, regardless of the anniversary.

Getting emailed the 'official' reason kinda sucks and is mildly insulting, like 'sorry, got more important things to do, catch you next year'.

AGD: smug

UK fans: disappointed

Some other thoughts: It didn’t take a concert industry expert or extra insight to see from the outset that booking *numerous* large arenas seemed like a stretch. I never saw a single person who contested the contention at the outset that the venues were too large (on top of the difficulty in filling such venues, I think most music fans prefer more intimate venues anyway). I think most fans in the UK, from my US observer point of view, seemed to just have a “meh, well, I hope they know what they’re doing; I’ll enjoy the show even if the place is ¾ empty” attitude. There’s really nobody (other than management and the promoter) to say “told you so" to; certainly no fans to say it to.

Also worth noting is that, while management and the artist would play a huge role in deciding to make these bookings, it may have been a promoter rather than Brian’s management that made the show offers, the guarantees, and/or called the tour off. From an artist point of view, half empty venues aren’t the greatest PR, but if a promoter offers an artist a minimum guarantee and the artist feels that’s enough money to do the gig even if the theoretical additional piece of actual overall sales is low, then the artist can do the gig and it’s the promoter that will lose their shirt on the thing.

Given the types of tours and venues Brian has done in the past, my total guess is that it was some promoter that put forward an offer for those UK dates rather than Brian’s management concocting the scenario from scratch. That doesn’t absolve management or the artist of making the decision to accept that offer, but my guess is some promoter thought they could package Brian with another band and make these big shows work. Maybe Brian isn’t up for extensive touring abroad and they saw it as a way to play to the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time.  

Andrew was one of many who expressed doubt over ticket sales - little reason to be smug about it, especially as he won't be getting to see the shows either. Most of those who thought it might be cancelled are considerate enough of the feeling of fellow fans, particularly those who lost money, to limit their comments to something more thoughtful.

I love Pet Sounds but I agree that it would have been wonderful to see something of Brian's current work. We've gone over past glories so often. It's beautiful music but it's a case of wanting to celebrate the now. And I can only agree that the reason given was mildly insulting. Someone likened it to someone turning your party invitation down by telling you they'd had a better offer. Maybe the reason given was a face saving exercise or an attempt to generate more publicity for the film, but even so, it could have been handled more tactfully,

It's a shame because everything was coming together. Brian had reunited with Beach Boys Blondie Chaplin, Al Jardine, and old friend Matt Jardine. There was a new album to promote. The setlist was very inclusive including some rarities. Brian appeared to be engaged and enjoying himself. There was an extensive article in Rolling Stone and the shows were receiving positive reviews. It's too bad Brian had to shut it down but, like Wirestone said, "It's the biz", and Brian put the business first. Did Al Jardine make a statement? I feel for the fans, but hopefully, next year they can experience that ^ same band and setlist and engaged Brian.

I have to admit that while reading the recent RS article, and sensing how much Brian just seemed to enjoy living (imagine that), and his comments to Fine about gearing up for a tour, my thought was that he really should retire and just enjoy his life. Maybe make a record when (if) he wants to.

Yes I remember and I also remember that you were told that we would blame you for the poor ticket sales having shaken the confidence of prospective concert goers - so I'm blaming you.  For your sake lets just hope that there is a tour next year.

Does anybody know roughly how many shows Brian would have to do over here to make the overhead costs back? Can't he relocate his UK tour to just a handfull of smaller venues or would the money simply not be worth it?

You can't blame Andrew for being right about something.

UK or not, can we not complain about Brian Wilson, 50 years after Pet Sounds was created, touring and performing the whole thing?

Let us not forget that Brian is still only four shows into a 20-show tour that hasn’t been canceled. I feel for the UK fans, but this has less to do with any sort of tragic downfall for Brian, and more to do with just financial/scheduling stuff.

It’s also *possible* that Brian didn’t pull the plug, but rather the promoter(s) did. If the promoters cancel on you because you’re not selling enough tickets, what’s the better PR move? Let fans know *you* didn’t cancel, but the promoter did, and then have to admit slow sales? Or, take the hit yourself and avoid having to address the sales issue?

What will be interesting to see is what Brian will actually end up having lined up in September in the US. One show so far. Will there be a full additional leg? Or just a few shows? Or just the one?

Well what to say?  This is extremely disappointing.
Like many others I had scored good seats for the London show and already made travel arrangements to England from another country.

As others have said, the main motivations to see this tour were the NPP songs and especially Al & Blondie.
Sorry to say, and maybe it's blasphemous, but I don't have enough interest to travel 2000 miles and spend 2 grands to see yet another Pet Sounds show, after having seen at least 15 of them (including what they promised to be the "last Pet Sounds show in Europe ever" back in 2006).

Yes, seeing Brian in any setting should always be considered a blessing, but - eh - don't feel like this time.
If you told me back in 2001 that I'd feel this way one day I would call you insane.

We don't know what Brian will be playing on the 2016 tour. It can be the called the Pet Sounds 50th anniversary tour but not actually include a performance of the album. Maybe it'll be a PS set back to back with a Smile set, and then whatever else he wants to play.

Until the tour is specifically advertised as including a full performance of the album, don't get upset about the setlist. I'll be flying to the UK regardless of what Brian will be playing to travel around and see as many of the shows as I can.

So basically, you've been spoiled.

Brian, I dare say, has milked Pet Sounds a little too much. Maybe a lot too much.

I'm not blaming him for being right - See my quote in red above.

I still fail to see how that's Andrew's fault to begin with.

I don't know Andrew personally, but he must be pretty powerful to convince tens of thousands of people to not buy tickets because the tour was going to be canceled anyway.

I will echo southbay, after reading the Rolling Stone article and the anguish he feels ahead of the tour, I almost feel bad for him. It can't be about the money at this point, can it? I'm excited to see him in a little over a week, but the man deserves to retire at some point...

Wait for the idiotic rumors of Andrew being on the Lovester's payroll to come back...

What a stupid thing to say - though I guess it is only the greatest album ever made after all.

How many times in the last ten years - and I'll use facts - has Brian played Pet Sounds?

http://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/the-beach-boys-3d6c17b.html?song=That%27s+Not+Me
http://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/the-beach-boys-3d6c17b.html?song=Here+Today

Two songs he would only play doing the full album - 74 plays each.
34 times in 2000, 28 times in 2002 - these were Pet Sounds tours
7 times in 2006
3 times in 2007
2 times in 2013

So that's a total of 11 full performances of Pet Sounds in 10 years - I wasn't at any of the them.

But according to you he's "milking" Pet Sounds? Have a look at this and tell me what it really means to milk something:
http://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/the-beach-boys-3d6c17b.html?song=I+Get+Around

I stand by the remark. The reason for a Brian Wilson concert was for him to play stuff that was uncommonly or never played by the Beach Boys in concert as well as his own stuff. He did Pet Sounds in full. He did Smile. I'd like to see Brian keep trying new things in concert, not another round of Pet Sounds - 50th anniversary or no 50th anniversary.

And the touring Beach Boys regularly perform the whole of Pet Sounds in concert?

News to me.

Who said anything about the touring Beach Boys? We're talking about BRIAN in concert.

I'm not gonna lie, if he tours Pet Sounds in the US next year, I'm a buyer... I'm also ecstatic at the setlists of this tour.

Speaking only for myself, I'd pay good money to see Brian sing the entire New Kids on the Block songbook, or sit on the stage for 2 hours reading the newspaper. Wouldn't matter to me, just want to be in the same room as the master.

Your mileage may very, of course...

Your definition of what it means to milk something seemed a tad bit absurd, so I thought I'd give an example of what 'milking' something that would be relatable to you.

Dude, it is worth every single penny, and then some. Not only are the setlists great, you also get to see and hear an engaged, confident Brian completely knock you on your ass with some of the strongest vocals he's laid down in many a year.

I'm fine with that, but hell, I wouldn't mind seeing Brian try a few new things in concert. I'd rather see him play the entire No Pier Pressure album live than Pet Sounds. It's the current thing. It's happening.


I'm not comparing Brian to the Beach Boys in concert.

So you stand by your original comment about Brian milking the album "a lot too much" (11 plays over 10 years) but won't actually defend it. Because there's a big difference between thinking that, and wanting Brian to try a few new things in concert. Make up your mind.

Who ever said the reason for Brian’s tours was or is to play items rarely or never performed by the Beach Boys touring band? He certainly has had a more eclectic setlist over the years, rotating hits and “rare” songs in and out, sometimes doing full albums, etc. But apart from tours where it is advertised that a specific full album will be performed, there can never be *any* expectation or assumption about what the setlist will consist of. You buy a ticket for a Brian Wilson concert, and you get Brian Wilson performing. Everything else is up in the air: the song selection, the band, the length of the show, etc.

My preference has never been to see Brian perform a setlist that amounts to little more than a 90’s “Beach Boys” setlist with “Kokomo”, “Wipe Out”, and “Little Old Lady from Pasadena” excised. And he hasn’t ever done a setlist *that* boring. But at the same time, if Brian Wilson wants to sing “Pet Sounds” or “Shut Down” or “Little Deuce Coupe” or even “Barbara Ann”, I’m okay with that.

In 2000, I saw him do a full set of songs including weird stuff like “Let It Shine”, and then do the full PS album. I saw him do “Smile” twice on two different tours. I saw him do PS again with Al. I saw him do a “regular” show with Al. I’ve seen tours where he does stuff like “Back Home”, “And Your Dream Comes True”, “You’re Welcome”, and the list goes on. How much more obscure can we expect at this stage, especially as he pares back his touring schedule?

Believe it or not, Brian gets bookings in part based on his BB connection. It isn’t *all* due to name recognition and indie cred. So he does have to do some hit stuff too, particularly when he’s *not* basing the tour around a specific album.

I admitted in another thread that I’m a bit jaded in not necessarily being blown away that Brian is doing “Surf’s Up” again. I saw him do it at three different shows between 2001 and 2005. But then I realized. It has been TEN years since the last “Smile” tour. It has been SIXTEEN years since Brian started touring. There are indeed fans who have never heard PS in full or much if any “Smile” stuff. And then I also watched the video of the Greek LA show, and, you know what, that’s Brian Wilson (with Al to boot) singing “Surf’s Up”, one of his most amazing pieces. I’m sold.

I'm somewhat torn between disappointment at the cancellation (and it is a cancellation: the posited 2016 tour is something entirely different) and relief that Brian won't have to play huge arenas that are less than a third full. From the second it was announced, every aspect of this tour made you go "WTF are these people thinking of ?" - or with. The venues - utterly insane... the timing - both album and film would be months in the past, effectively forgotten by Joe Q. Public... the support - ridiculous and as many have asked, why any support at all ?

Gives me no pleasure at all to be proven correct but seriously, Stevie Wonder could see this coming on a dark night. The vast majority of the fans don't seem to be swallowing the given reasons.

It's not just UK fans who have lost money: I know of US and Australian fans who will loose more than ticket booking fees. It would be a nice gesture if someone offered compensation.

Financial compensation for non-recovering costs (hotels, etc) would be nice, although difficult to verify and organize, etc. Anything not covered as far as ticket costs in terms of getting a refund should be covered (not sure if any part of the actual face value of the tickets are not being refunded). 

In the alternative, some sort of small gesture, perhaps an exclusive free download of a recording of a full show from one of the US dates would be nice. Perhaps make the show purchasable for all fans, and free for those who had tickets to canceled shows.

I again have to reiterate that it’s at least possible that the cancelation itself (as opposed to the decision to book the tour, which would fall on both the promoter and Brian and management) was at the insistence of the promoter rather than Brian or his management. More details would be nice, although unlikely. 

Having Brian do one special arena show. Brian Wilson one night only in the o2 arena, his only UK show this year, that would have a chance of selling out.

But a full blown UK arena tour, what was it, 5 or 6 different arenas, 80-100k tickets?

Madness.

I remember when M&B played radio ads for a show in my area with 1964s BW falsettos. Should I ask for compensation after going and only seeing M&B there? ;)

That would be the same promoter who booked Brian into such ludicrous venues in the first place ? Also, didn't Brian's management have to sign off the bookings ? Someone, be it promoter, management or both, made one godalmighty mistake in the first place, causing the fans to be out of pocket. That sucks, royally.

Just a thought, they could have moved the shows to smaller venues, that makes you think maybe there is some truth behind the reason given for the cancellations.

Like... this ? All venues listed were available on these dates when I googled them evening of the 8th:

18 - Theater Royal Nottingham [1186]
19 - Motorpoint Cardiff [5000]
20 - Manchester O2 Apollo [3500]
21 - RFH [2750]
22 - RFH [2750]
23 - Leeds Grand Theatre [1550]
25 - Glasgow Clyde Auditorium [3000]
26 - Liverpool Empire [2348]
27 - Birmingham Symphony [2262]

I feel really bad for the UK fans. It sucks.  :(

M&B overtouring as usual certainly didn't help ticket sales. ::)

Andrew was that the 8th of June you checked?  Now to me that looks more like a Brian Wilson UK Tour and I would have been happy with that.

8th of June, 2015, at about 10.30-11.15pm.

They should have put you in charge! :)

I wonder why they couldn't have changed the venues.  Maybe they didn't want to lose face.  What would the logistics be regarding transfer of tickets and stuff?

Wasn't there some BW Australian tour a few years back that had be cancelled too?

Just throwing ideas out there. It might be difficult to move very large shows to much smaller venues if tickets sales are slow but they've still managed to sell more tickets than the "new" venue will hold.

To accommodate all ticket holders, you'd have to reschedule each of the shows to different venues, likely on the same dates. So if the original venue holds 10,000 seats and they only sold 5,000, they can't move that show to a 2,700 seat venue.

I'm not saying they couldn't have worked something out (have folks exchange their tickets for a different date and venue instead of using the original tickets at new venues, while combining the shows into fewer shows). But this logistically can turn into a problem quite easily.

The easiest thing to do would be to cancel the gigs. The question then becomes whether to re-book smaller venues (and perhaps fewer shows) during the same timeframe, or wait until a later date.

That right there is a perfect Brian Wilson tour.

Perfectly valid point, of course. Pulling together a little basic research and what others have said here and elsewhere, I'm reasonably sure that none of the venues have sold more than the capacity of my alternates.

But, all this is the mootest of moot points, of course.

Cancelled BW tours:

2/19/99-3/7/99: First US tour (more rehearsal time needed)

9/20/01-9/25/01: First Japanese tour (World Trade Center attack)

9/18/15-9/27/15: UK tour (poor ticket sales)

There's a few odd dates also cancelled down the years but no full Australian tour.

That's odd, I don't recall there ever being a reason given for a Brian Wilson concert other than for fans to see and hear Brian play his songs live with his terrific band. It's been that way since 1999 when I first saw him.

As far as a Pet Sounds live show in 2016, I'd like to know who else would be better qualified to perform the album live as a 50th anniversary commemoration than the man most responsible for that album and a band who has the original arrangements down as well as I could imagine a live band pulling them off. I'm sure there are many fans who may have missed the original Pet Sounds Live dates and subsequent performances (like the impromptu performance a few years ago), and who would enjoy seeing Brian onstage presenting the music again live.

Nothing to do with earning some bucks, or promoting the brand, or the latest/upcoming release ? Why was I charged for my seat, then ?

Nah, you missed The Sage in Gateshead.

Re: the Pet Sounds tour, in general classic-rock culture's obsession with anniversaries strikes me as a bit unhealthy. I'm sure the tour itself will be good, in terms of the overall performance, but it'd be more interesting if he did a '67-'73 tour with Alan and Blondie I think. Or finally bring on that Love You tour!

(http://i61.tinypic.com/2d1s0m9.png)

Very disappointed about Bri cancelling the UK tour, had tickets for my birthday too. Will hopefully see him next year though :)

Well, that's my birthday plans screwed.

Nevermind though. Disappointing but its going to take more than a tour cancellation/postponement to damage my goodwill towards Brian Wilson.

I wonder what else is on in September?

Some credit to Billy H and Jeff F on this one. I remember prior to the PS tour of Australia that a story went round that this was going to be canned. Billy was a sometimes poster on the brit site so I asked if he could check with Jeff for us. Within hours Jeff posted a message that the tour was definitely a go, and a go it did.

For the UK fans this time though I suspect Brians plans for September involve little more than what we have just read in the RS story. Walking, family and food.

If Brian plans to spend time retiring why make it seem he is going to play next year (which I'm not doubting)?  He could play the shows in September and not play anything next year, and be in 'retirement'.

It would be good to say 'farewell and thank you' to Brian for all of the music.  Hopefully my last 2012 show won't be the last time I will have seen Brian live.

Total lunar eclipse, September 28.

Tickets from Ticketmaster. Probably.

Seems obvious they're cancelling because of poor ticket sales and the point of next year's last European tour is the 50th anniversary of Pet Sounds as a 'farewell [at least to Europe] tour'  which will presumably bring in a lot of money. Of course he may continue to do occasional shows in America. And who knows, possibly there will be a comeback tour. Wouldn't be the first time that happened although I don't think Brian is the cynical type who would plan to do this and as he will be 74 next year, completely understandable that he feels ready to retire.

Tickets are still on sale on Ticketmaster!  I had ordered from here and Ticketweb.  Still not heard about a refund from either.

Given reports from recent shows, we should hope that BW doesn't retire anytime soon.

He's certainly slowed down already, which is understandable. But there's no reason he shouldn't keep recording and playing shows.

Notice, too, that the PR says final European tour. Not his final UK tour. Or his final Scottish tour. Or his final European shows.

Lots of ways to get around that, which I entirely expect that he will.

Notice, also, that the statement doesn't say he'll be playing Pet Sounds, rather that the tour will be celebrating same.

Two can play at being silly buggers.  ;D

A post by the LEGENDARY board historian over at BBB


Funny that you've hidden this post in the scummy depths of the Pee-Board, where the "natives" would never think to question you, but you're still allowed the satisfaction of smugly thinking to yourself that you've made a ballsy post questioning the actions of Brian's camp.
 
Here's the thing, and no matter how many times he posts it, anyone on this board with the slightest amount of intelligence can pick up on it: the LEGENDARY BOARD HISTORIAN is biased beyond belief, balls deep in Mike Love's camp. Fact: the actions over the years of that man are beyond stupid, and there are things that the LEGENDARY BOARD HISTORIAN knows about that the rest of this board does not - which is for the better considering the indefensible nature of the things he has done over the years.

Read that post, think about the posts he has made about Brian, and then think about the posts he (has not) made about Mike, and make up your own mind - who does this guy really stand for, and WHY?

If I'm wrong, let me know: prove me wrong. I dare you.

so very interesting.

Totally agree. However, better luck next year via the tour.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2015/06/26/bad-vibrations-brian-wilson-cancels-uk-tour-citing-success-of-movie-but-love-mercy-is-a-flop

Roger Friedman, former Fox News film columnist, contends above that L&M has flopped and Brian's people are unjustified in canceling UK dates because of the reception it got here. But he misses the point.  L&M's boxoffice may be winding down in the US - one-third the theaters that had it in my area two weeks ago are running it now - but it's created thousands upon thousands of BW/BBs fans who are ready to see him play this fall.

But then again...slow ticket sales or not, maybe it would have made more sense to see how L&M does in the UK next month before postponing the British dates.

I fail to see how rave reviews and respectable numbers for a niche market film are "failure" ----Fox, eh ???   MMmm.  Postponing the  postponement  would only have made things much worse (although I am not at all sure that is possible --what a mess).  I have avoided as much as I can, the previews since I am in UK and want to view this in full. 

I don't know about being wrong but AGD (I assume that's who you are referring to ;)) makes valid points.  I love Brian to bits but the whole tour was handled badly.  When I bought my tickets I was never confident the show would actually go ahead.  Major boo boo which need not have happened and should not have happened.  What about the wonderful band members in all of this too. They've also lost out as well (unless the extra dates happen in the States).

 :pirate :h5 :rock :love :happydance :bow :woot :thumbsup :hug :drunks :brow-in other words, effing fantastic post!

Dare accepted.
Quoted from a thread created by the LEGENDARY BOARD HISTORIAN a few days ago.

My family excepted, two men have hugely affected my life since 1975.

One is my collaborator, mentor and dearest friend, the legendary John Tobler, who took a raw fanzine contributor under his wing and shaped him into something vaguely resembling a real writer.

The other one is 73 today. Can you imagine a world without Brian Wilson, without Beach Boys music ? I choose not to. What a gray and cheerless place that would be.

Does music get any better than this ?

Behind The Sounds: Wouldn't It Be Nice

No sir, it does not... and he was only 23.

Happy birthday, Brian. Thanks for the music.

That one wasn't cancelled -- some of the dates actually happened. (And there are "Dutch import" CDs to prove it.) I believe the first shows were in Michigan and outside of Chicago. The publicized reason for the postponement was that Melinda's sister was gravely ill.

One of the "few odd dates" that was cancelled included a show at the newly-opened New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. It was a mini-tour that was extremely hastily thrown together in 2003, I believe piggy-backed on to Brian receiving his honorary doctorate in Massachusetts. I think the shows were in Boston, Newark, and the Beacon Theater in NYC. There was almost **zero** promotion for these shows, and the only reason anybody knew about them was because someone happened to hear an oldies radio DJ mention it.

Anyway, I knew someone who actually worked at NJPAC. That was the show from that mini-tour that was cancelled. I don't remember if there was a reason given, but I was told that Brian's "management" said that they needed to cancel one of the shows. The NJPAC show, according to my acquaintance who worked there, was nearly sold out, but they cancelled that one because it would look better on paper to cancel a New Jersey show than to cancel a New York City show.

For what it's worth, the 2006 shows were promoted as:
"Legendary Beach Boy founder/composer/producer BRIAN WILSON, with the 40th Anniversary Tour of the landmark album PET SOUNDS, presented by him in its entirety for the last time ever!"

I think we're all getting a bit silly here. AGD makes valid points and in no way attacks Brian but just the way the whole thing has been handled. An outsider with absolutely no interest in Brian can see that the venues were way too big and there just aren't enough fans willing to fill out places like the O2. I've been there and it's a massive venue, one that I never thought Brian would play.

It isn't just AGD who feels disappointed by the way this has been handled - the less than clear announcement, the ambitious venues, the vague promise of shows next year - even the most loyal Brian fans feel let down. Some of us are just a bit more honest or vocal than others. Personal attacks are not needed on here, it's a place to discuss the music and history of our favourite band and I for one hate reading posts that just descend into conversations like this.

Brian has a lot of respect from everyone on here (the same can't be said for Mike) so there's no need for anyone to get worked up about opinions.

As Brian himself says - Love & Mercy x

That Friedman guy is a blowhard, always has been. I can't even count how many times he's taken a morsel of a factoid and turned it into a "the sky is falling" article.

He has everything ass backwards in his article. My understanding is that the L&M film was never expected to do huge business at the box office. It hasn't gotten past 7 or 800 theaters; I don't think they ever expected it to. Films that do a 480 (or whatever it was) theater opening in the first week aren't expecting to expand to 4,000 theaters and compete with the big budget films. Friedman likely has no idea (or is pretending to have no idea) what the budget was for this film, and/or what expectations the distributor had.

And why did I say ass backwards? Because, again, unless he's being sarcastic in the ending to his article, he's contending that it's "hard to believe" UK ticket sales have been slow. It's easy in fact to understand why they'd have trouble filling multiple huge arenas.

Ass backwards, like I said. The film is generating Oscar buzz, and I've seen no other reports that it's performing below expectations. Obviously, they'd love to see it do ten times as much business. But I doubt they expected it to do a lot better with it's limited screen count (the film's "per screen average" in dollars is even more impressive than it's overall dollar performance in fact). Meanwhile, he can't fathom why Brian can't fill multiple huge arenas in the UK?

There are ways to call BS on the UK tour cancellation. Maybe the reasons provided by management aren't the full story. But if one is trying to call Brian's management out, saying the L&M is a "flop" undercuts any credibility in any argument.

Dare accepted. Firstly, something the other posters should know: "Coward Beale" has made a grand total of nine posts, and in eight of those he - or she, for who knows their true gender - has taken a kick at me to the complete exclusion of any other content. Think we've got an agenda established here, people.  ;D

Secondly, irrespective of whether or not I'm "balls deep" in Mike's camp (I'm not), at least I have the balls to post under my own name and not cower behind a pitiful pseudonym. Them as rail and gibber behind such a mask are... unworthy of serious consideration.

Thirdly, my BB post was so well buried that you found it less than five hours after I posted it (again, under my own name). That you were evidently looking for something like that helped but... congratulations, you've just invalidated your own point. Further, as we all know, all the BB forums are monitored by the relevant interested parties: it would be read, if it hasn't already. Further again, I'm about as welcome there as I am on The Bloo in some quarters. Further cubed, if you'd bothered to check out The very same Bloo, you'd know that I've been raising  the very same points, albeit less confrontationally. Know something ? Even the hard-core Blooies are saying the same: they're very unhappy with what's happened and they don't believe that nonsense about "commitments" either. Purely and simply, the tickets were not selling. That's all.

Fourthly, I think: if I am biased, it's in favour of the truth. Of course, that's both a perishable and variable commodity. but... have I blamed Brian for this current nonsense ? Don't think so, for the excellent reason that he's not responsible for booking the gigs. Yup, I probably know stuff about Mike that most folk here don't. Thing is, I also know things about Brian that's not common currency, and there's a reason I don't share either in public. Further (again), in all the thirty seven odd years that I was an uncritical and unashamed cheerleader for Brian, never once was I accused of being on his payroll. Odd, that. I'm still an unashamed BW booster (I'm guessing you ignored the inconvenient truth of my birthday post...) - just somewhat more critical, and cynical. I've known Bruce far longer than Mike: guess I'm on his payroll too. So, howcome I'm so piss-poor ?

Vthly - "who does this guy really stand for, and WHY?"  Make that "what", not who: I stand four-square for promoting the glorious music of Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys, and the accurate documentation of same. If that ruffles a few feathers, too bad: as Jon Stebbins once astutely noted, "no-one's in this to win a popularity contest". Brian's music is both so significant, and so important in my life that it must be set in the correct context. Too many misapprehensions, too many myths. Others have far surpassed my efforts of late, but I flatter myself that I've done some good work.

So, there you have it: dare answered. You're wrong and I let you know. Legendary Board Historian 1, newly-minted troll 0, I believe.  ;D

Here's a dare for you: make a post that actually contributes to the topic of the band and doesn't take even the merest hint of a kick at me. Betcha can't do it.

OK, so that's sorted. Now, how 'bout that Brian Wilson, huh ?

Which support act(s) had been earmarked for the UK tour?

America and Edwyn Collins.

Beales comments are trying to stir up a 'camps' argument when this is not the case. I find it quite ironic though that towards the end of the C50 once all signed commitments had been completed Brian said "it feels like I've been fired". Three years on with deals signed and without a note played the brits can rightfully say "it feels like we've been f*cked".

Nope - check out their past posts, all nine of 'em. Excepting the initial, introductory one, all posted with one intent, to take a swipe at me. I should, I suppose, be flattered but in fact, it's pretty sad that someone should take the smallest fraction of time and effort to bother with the nobody that I am.

It's been suggested to me it's really Carol Kaye, but that's not her posting or writing style, so I'm guessing it's someone else in the BB/BW cosmos with a major down on me outside the confines of this forum. Or maybe they do post here already, incognito. My ol' drinking buddy Oscar used to tell me "the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about". He was pissed, of course, but there's an element of in vino veritas. Probably.

It's almost exactly 40 years to the day that I became a committed BB/BW fan, having read Nick Kent's NME tryptich about Brian. Been a helluva ride, mostly uphill, but these last few years the thought "is this all really worth it ?" has increasingly taken to sprinting across my mind. "This" being the aggregated online nonsense. Back to snailmail, anyone ?

(http://i.ytimg.com/vi/aFKMZcr7ai4/hqdefault.jpg)

That's probably Howard. Just sayin'. He/she/shim/otherkin clearly has an unhealthy obsession with another fan.

Hey Jude - at least there is the very effective vehicle of social media to combat a knucklehead review. It was a one way street back in the day to a greater extent. The best you could hope for is the op-Ed, and that space is kept small for a reason; to minimize an opposing viewpoint.  Now, one bad review can't kill you.

It is too bad that the concert venue planning wasn't consistent with the film concept of "indie" and not the larger venues. Indie film, indie movie theaters and indie/niche venues.  The film hasn't had global release so the review leaves out half the world.  And the acoustics can be far superior for performances in the older, albeit smaller theaters; those that beg for "a capella" (in the style of the church chapel.)

Don't become discouraged by a bad review.  I seem to remember getting riled up, decades ago! Guess who is still around!

Sometimes a bad review provides the resolve to prove the naysayers wrong!  :lol

Shame on this board for the fact that Andrew has had to resort to answering this anonymous incendiary knob. Should have been suffocated soon after he joined the board with his one-track posts.

Referring to the yellow board as the "pee board"? That's a sh*t thing to say…  So as well as this inter-camp rivalry, inter-board rivalry is also now tolerated?

Yeah, it seems like that f****t's membership here is specifically to antagonize another member. That should be an instabanhammer.

I've messaged Beale. Things will be ok.

Permission to remind you about this when things become un-OK again ?   ;D

Very much appreciated Billy.

Did Brian play any shows between the dates I've listed ?  No sir, he did not. Ergo, cancelled.

Were any of those first dates rescheduled versus canceled (e.g. original tickets honored at a later date)? I never know whether to characterize a “rescheduled” date as “canceled and rescheduled” or just “rescheduled”, as if “canceled” implies it never took place in any form. Admittedly all semantics.

I had previously remembered that it was later 1998 proposed dates that were canceled or postponed/rescheduled (I remember Brian’s 1998 Howard Stern interview featuring Brian mentioning a tour being postponed due to an illness/death in Melinda’s family). I didn’t know (or rather most likely didn’t remember) tickets to shows immediately preceding the “official” first show (March 9, 1999) had gone on sale and had been canceled. 

Of the 11 original dates, five took place at the same venue on a different date,  two at different venues in the same city and four were cancelled entirely... but the tour as originally advertised, 2/19/99-3/7/99, did not take place.

AGD: "is this all really worth it ?"

Yes, because many of us value your input whilst those who don't seem to be either trolls, jealous types or protecting some special interest that they've carved from the BB pie. Plus you can't quit on your 40th anniversary; you have to at least try to make it to 50 (21/6/2025?). I only discovered the Nick Kent pieces in his Dark Stuff collection and they still pack a punch. They were a big part of my decision to invest in the Good Vibrations box, which was eventually followed by a Smile bootleg and then the Sessions box set in 1997, which changed my life.

The cancellation is particularly unfortunate because Brian is in the best vocal form and one of the best mental states that he's been in for decades, and the set-list is a cracker. Nothing needs fixing as far as the act is concerned, so the f***-ups are entirely on the management and/or promotional side. Trying to squeeze in a 2015 UK tour in big venues when 2016 in smaller venues is a far better bet was always dubious. If in the process they've also f***ed their goodwill account for 2016 then I do fear that Brian in the UK may become unfeasible ever again, which is a huge blow. If I were still in the UK and had thus not had the joy of seeing Brian in Atlanta last Friday, I'd be extremely angry.

Also, regarding goodwill, people on the forums aren't really taken in by the official reason, so that's kind of okay.  They booked too-large venues.  The gamble didn't pay off.  We understand.  But the official reason (blowing us out because he's got more important things to do) has gone out in the media and people reading it will accept it at face value.  It really doesn't make Brian look very good in his treatment of his fans.

Agreed. The gist of the thread so far is that the lying is worse than the postponement.

Yeah, they should've thought it through better regarding the publicity.  The article has done the rounds on local newspaper sites.  There aren't many comments following them, but a couple are like this sort of thing -

"If I was one of his fans I would NEVER purchase a ticket from him again! For over 50 years his FANS have made him what he is. People have spent good money and cancelled/re-arranged things and even in some cases spent lots of money travelling the country to see his concert. Sorry, Mr, but an 8 week tour should come before a few aggrandising interviews in your home country. Hit him where it hurts - in the pocket!"

FINALLY Had official confirmation from Ticketmaster (bless them)  >:(

Brian Wilson - Various venues

Hi there,

Important information about your event!

The event organisers have been in touch to let us know that they've had to postpone the Brian Wilson UK Tour at the following venues:

18 September 2015: Liverpool Echo Arena
19 September 2015: Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
20 September 2015: The O2, London
22 September 2015: Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham
23 September 2015: Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
25 September 2015: First Direct Arena, Leeds
26 September 2015: Manchester Arena
27 September 2015: The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

The following statement has been released:

"Due to the overwhelming success of Brian Wilson’s movie ‘Love and Mercy’ which has opened in the US to critical acclaim, Brian has had to postpone his current UK tour planned for September 2015 due to commitments in the US. He will be back in the UK and Europe in 2016 with a string of concerts to mark the 50th Anniversary of his seminal album ‘Pet Sounds, which will be his final European tour."

Brian says “I’m sorry I won’t be able to make these shows this year, but I look forward to seeing all my fans in 2016 to help me celebrate 50 years of ‘Pet Sounds’. This will be my final European tour. I hope you all enjoy my movie when it opens in the UK on July 10th, I’ll see you all soon, Best Brian.”

We’ve been asked to refund all bookings as the organisers aren't able to confirm new dates – you’ll see a credit onto the card you used within 15 days.

If you have any questions for us, there's lots of information in our FAQs. If what you're looking for isn't quite covered, get in touch with one of the team by sending your question through the helpdesk.

We're sorry for any disappointment caused.

Best Wishes,
Ticketmaster Customer Service

Well, they took their time.  See Tickets put the money back on my card last Friday.  Minus £12.10 booking fee.

So, the London show was supposed to be last night.
Any ideas or speculations on what Brian is busy with these days?

Uhh, yeah....the latest news about Brian, in short, says that there was damn good reason to postpone. A very, very honorable reason. And anybody who disagrees, well...is just a boob.

Well, better than a bunch of whining about empty arenas. Shrug.

Are we still on about this? I can't wait for the UK Pet Sounds tour to happen...not because I'm excited for the UK fans to hear this great band, but just so I can stop reading the monotonous posts about this incident...which aren't confined to this thread either, it seems.

Where is Mike's online PR manager to slam BW when you need him? ;)

Yeah, I'm not sure why this is still being discussed but...is there actual evidence this was the reason for the postponement or is this just a happy coincidence?

Care to share what that reason was/is?

http://www.brianwilson.com/news/2015/9/17/legendary-musician-and-co-founder-of-the-beach-boys-brian-wilson-partners-with-change-direction

That doesn't really change the fact that UK arena sales were poor and were the likely cause of the cancellation.  Would Brian have cancelled a sell-out run at the Festival Hall and other theatre venues?  I think he would've fitted it all in.