Since the release of their debut album, *The Big Come Up*, The Black Keys have been a leading force in the garage rock revival. The band has headlined festivals worldwide and sold out arena tours, but even the mighty are beginning to struggle under the current economic climate.
In May, the Ohio band announced the cancellation of every date on their planned arena tour of North America. Fans speculated that low ticket sales and high prices made touring on such a scale financially unfeasible. The tour, scheduled to begin in September, was set to visit major cities across the US, including Austin, Seattle, and Atlanta, with ticket prices ranging from $100 to $300 before Ticketmaster fees.
By the end of May, Ticketmaster removed the proposed dates from their platform, and The Black Keys took down the purchase option from their website. “The band wants to assure everyone that Dan [Auerbach] and Patrick [Carney] are alive and well,” a statement read.
The band suggested that a North American tour might be rescheduled for the next year or so, but in smaller venues. “Following the recent run of shows in the UK & Europe, including stops at iconic venues like Brixton Academy and the Zenith in Paris, we have decided to make some changes to the North American leg of the ‘International Players Tour’ that will enable us to offer a similarly exciting, intimate experience for both fans and the band. We will be announcing a revised set of dates shortly,” the statement concluded.
Amid controversy among fans regarding exorbitant ticket prices, the band announced that they will part ways with their current management team. A new report from *The New York Times* detailing a rise in high-profile cancellations noted that The Black Keys had recently fired their managers, Irving Azoff and Steve Moir.
A statement from Azoff’s representative claimed that it was an “amicable parting.” At present, The Black Keys have not commented directly on the matter.
Azoff, 76, is a hugely successful manager with an illustrious history in the music industry, having managed the careers of Eagles, Van Halen, and Steely Dan, among other hugely popular acts.
