Why are Bright Eyes canceling their upcoming record release shows? Band releases statement

Bright Eyes canceled the upcoming concerts scheduled this week in support of their new record, Five Dice, All Threes. In a statement shared on the Instagram account on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the band stated that the cancellations were due to their frontman Conor Oberst losing his voice, writing:

"We're heartbroken to announce that our upcoming record release shows have been canceled. The warm up shows we played earlier this week resulted in Conor losing his voice and on the advice of doctors we've made the difficult but sensible decision to prioritize rest and recuperation for the remainder of the month."

Bright Eyes were set for shows in Brooklyn Steel in New York City on Thursday, Riot Fest in Chicago on Saturday, and Steel House in Omaha on Sunday.

Five Dice, All Threes marks the indie rock band's first record release in four years, following their 10th studio album, Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was.

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Bright Eyes' Five Dice, All Threes will feature collaborations with Cat Power and Matt Beninger

Bright Eyes's statement also noted that they are working to reschedule the canceled concert, stating:

"We're working hard to reschedule these dates and will keep you updated as soon as we have more info. In the meantime, refunds will be available at the point of purchase. Thank you for your understanding, love, and support. Can't wait to see you soon."

Bright Eyes announced their album, Five Dice, All Threes, earlier this year, along with their intention to go on a tour in support of the project. The tour is set to begin later this year, with shows in the UK and various cities across Europe. The tour would run through April 2025, with concerts scheduled in the United States next year.

The album would feature collaborations with artists, including Cat Power, The National's Matt Berninger, and So So Glos' Alex Orange Drink. Speaking about working with Power and Beninger, Oberst told NME (September 2024) that while making the songs, he could hear them sing.

Oberst shared that he first met Power in 2000 but was a fan of hers before, adding:

"When we were making ‘All Threes’ I could just hear her voice, so I texted her and got it sent to her. She lives in Miami now, but she sang it in her studio and sent it back."

The Bright Eyes frontman also spoke about his close relationship with Beninger, explaining he first discovered The National in 2005 when their album Alligator came out and loved the band. He continued:

"Five or six years later we ended up doing this weird podcast thing where we interviewed each other, and that turned into, ‘Now we’re drinking wine all night,’ and now we’re good friends."

Bright Eyes is an indie rock band founded by Conor Oberst in 1995 in Omaha, Nebraska. Some of their hit songs include Lua, Take It Easy (Love Nothing), and Singularity. The band went on a hiatus in 2011 but made a return in 2020.

Their latest album, Five Dice, All Threes, is scheduled for release on Friday, September 20, 2024.