Devin Townsend has announced an indefinite hiatus from touring.
The prolific Canadian metal musician and producer revealed his plans to "stop touring for a while" in a new statement and video posted to social media, citing personal reasons, and the cost of travelling.
His North American dates, which kick off in Nashville, Tennessee on May 2, and wrap up in Los Angeles on May 23, will be the last time fans will get to see him play "for the foreseeable future," though he explained that he's not done performing live,"by a long shot." In a separate statement, he wrote:
"For nearly 35 years, I've followed a creative path guided by instinct—each album, each tour, each project a new chapter in a story I've felt compelled to tell. My mind latches onto concepts, and I love chasing them down. That chase has made this journey wild, unpredictable, and deeply fulfilling.
"Over the years, I've heard it countless times: 'Dev, take a break… please.' But the flood of ideas, the excitement, and the support of incredible musicians and listeners have kept me going, kept me touring, and kept me grateful for a life on the road.
"That said, things have changed—especially since the pandemic. Booking tours now means planning up to two years in advance. With fewer venues, fewer crews, and a saturated touring circuit, it's become more challenging than ever to line things up.
"And beyond the logistics, life has simply caught up with me: my parents need help, my dogs are on their last legs, the kids have moved out, 'The Moth' is nearly complete, and truthfully, I need some time to breathe and recalibrate. So I've made the decision to take a break from touring—an indefinite one."
He continued: "This upcoming North American run will be the last time you'll see me on stage for the foreseeable future. That doesn't mean I'm done playing live. Not by a long shot. I'll be performing until my final breath. But right now, I need to be present for the people who need me, and to give myself the space to reflect on everything I've been through."
Townsend also announced that he'll soon launch The Ruby Quaker Show, a YouTube series exploring the many creative projects he's been working on. "In the meantime, I'm launching a long-overdue project: The Ruby Quaker Show—a YouTube series where I'll finally explore the dozens of creative ventures I've had on the back burner. Albums, worlds, inventions, and strange, wonderful ideas I've postponed for years—now I'm making the time to bring them to life, without that familiar pressure of knowing I'll be gone again in a month. I will return to the stage. But first, I need to reset.
"Touring has been a beautiful, exhausting constant in my life, and for once, I'm listening to the voice that says: 'slow down.' I want to create from a place of calm inspiration rather than frantic obligation. And until I can truly be there for the people who rely on me, my creativity won't be at its best.
"So here's the deal: this final North American tour is going to be something special. We're digging deep into the catalog, pulling out some big ones, and making these shows a true celebration. If you've ever wanted to step into this world I've built—maybe you caught 'The Moth,' or a song found its way to you when you needed it—now's the time.
"I know things are tough economically, and I don't take that lightly, so I'm doing everything I can to make these shows as meaningful and unforgettable as possible. Let's make this one count. With love and gratitude, Dev."
Townsend's North American dates support his latest album, 'PowerNerd', which arrived last October via InsideOutMusic.
