As Sparks hit the road on their North American tour, the quirky rock duo have shared a statement about COVID-19 protocols, emphasizing the risks that performers take while touring during the pandemic.
A statement credited to "SPARKS HQ" requests that everyone in the venue wear a mask. According to the statement, "While vaccination passes, testing and masks might not be enforceable in every location on the tour, if you are coming to a show, we would ask you to think about what actions you can take to help ensure that Sparks make it through the tour in good health." The duo won't be meeting with fans or signing autographs.
The statement further notes that there is no insurance if the band needs to cancel shows due to a positive COVID case, which would result in "huge financial complications." The Weather Station previously made a similar statement about the precariousness of COVID-era finances for touring bands.
See the band's North American tour schedule here, and read the statement below. The North American leg includes Canadian shows in Vancouver and Toronto.
In these times of great uncertainty due to COVID, embarking on a tour is fraught with concerns and many artists have taken the difficult decision to further postpone or cancel shows. Sparks, however, are intending to go ahead with their tour.
We want them to safely complete the entire tour. We also want the concert environment to be as safe as possible for everyone attending the shows. But we will need your help to achieve that. To protect Ron, Russell, the band, the crew, and the fans, there will be COVID guidance in place at each venue on the forthcoming tour and we encourage you to check the show page on the venue's website for that show before attending.
Firstly, we'd like to thank everyone for adhering to the guidance and wearing a mask inside the auditorium at the upcoming shows. While vaccination passes, testing and masks might not be enforceable in every location on the tour, if you are coming to a show, we would ask you to think about what actions you can take to help ensure that Sparks make it through the tour in good health. Naturally, we want you, the attendees, to stay healthy as well.
There is no insurance if shows are cancelled due to COVID. If the band are exposed to the virus in a venue and needs to cancel subsequent shows, not only is that disappointing for fans who have bought tickets for those future shows, it also has huge financial complications.
Also: due to the nature of the tour, please don't feel offended if Ron and Russell can't stop to sign autographs or take photos with fans before or after shows.
A statement credited to "SPARKS HQ" requests that everyone in the venue wear a mask. According to the statement, "While vaccination passes, testing and masks might not be enforceable in every location on the tour, if you are coming to a show, we would ask you to think about what actions you can take to help ensure that Sparks make it through the tour in good health." The duo won't be meeting with fans or signing autographs.
The statement further notes that there is no insurance if the band needs to cancel shows due to a positive COVID case, which would result in "huge financial complications." The Weather Station previously made a similar statement about the precariousness of COVID-era finances for touring bands.
See the band's North American tour schedule here, and read the statement below. The North American leg includes Canadian shows in Vancouver and Toronto.
In these times of great uncertainty due to COVID, embarking on a tour is fraught with concerns and many artists have taken the difficult decision to further postpone or cancel shows. Sparks, however, are intending to go ahead with their tour.
We want them to safely complete the entire tour. We also want the concert environment to be as safe as possible for everyone attending the shows. But we will need your help to achieve that. To protect Ron, Russell, the band, the crew, and the fans, there will be COVID guidance in place at each venue on the forthcoming tour and we encourage you to check the show page on the venue's website for that show before attending.
Firstly, we'd like to thank everyone for adhering to the guidance and wearing a mask inside the auditorium at the upcoming shows. While vaccination passes, testing and masks might not be enforceable in every location on the tour, if you are coming to a show, we would ask you to think about what actions you can take to help ensure that Sparks make it through the tour in good health. Naturally, we want you, the attendees, to stay healthy as well.
There is no insurance if shows are cancelled due to COVID. If the band are exposed to the virus in a venue and needs to cancel subsequent shows, not only is that disappointing for fans who have bought tickets for those future shows, it also has huge financial complications.
Also: due to the nature of the tour, please don't feel offended if Ron and Russell can't stop to sign autographs or take photos with fans before or after shows.