Why do you think they stopped doing a full spring tour every year?

I first thought it was cost due to inflation affecting everything, but maybe it was cause being on the road for that long every year was starting to take a toll on them

I first thought it was cost due to inflation affecting everything, but maybe it was cause being on the road for that long every year was starting to take a toll on them

This is something I've been wondering about. I've also noticed there hasn't been any transparency on the canceled tours. Back in 2023 when the tour was canceled to prepare for the 20th anniversary that fall, it wasn't until later when it was announced why it was canceled. This year, I haven't seen any publications about the tour being canceled. At this point, we've assumed it's canceled due to no dates being released or news about the theme of the tour.

I wonder if management is slowly allowing the group to fade back some to allow time to recoup spending and costs. I remember the first few tours when they started had very basic sets, then during "Songs for the Heart" and "Believe," the tour sets grew into large designer pieces and stages. After the 10th anniversary, they started to get smaller and smaller to where the 20th seemed basic. They've also kept some of the same designs and backdrops over the past few tours. This could all be the result of cost and funding constraints.

I have also thought about the ladies on tour. Recently, it seems that we've experienced a lot of turnover in the lineup. Emma just had her first child, and she's probably limited in what she can do. Maybe finding someone to tour this spring was hard, and they didn't want to have another Hannah situation where someone comes in for one tour and then disappears.

This leads into another thing I've noticed from the current management. The departure announcements of the girls are no longer being done. Announcements wishing the girls luck with their future journey and letting the fans know of the changes have gone down over the past 10 years. I think it all started with Mairéad Nesbit leaving. CW had Tara posted while Mairéad was away, and when she returned, fans were reaching out about her being removed from the site and promos. I'm not sure if she had an agreement with CW for her to announce first, but according to her post, it sounded like she was caught off guard by how quickly the news got out.

Just some of my thoughts. This was originally going to be a small post but turned into a big one.

Problems booking enough venues to make a tour logicistically and economically viable. It's hard enough just to book venues and even more difficult to book them in a sequence that would make sense for a tour. If they can't put together a schedule where they can get to 5-6 shows a week, it's probably not going to be profitable. They're also unfortunately not as big a draw as they used to be.

CWazyTom makes some very good points.  Looking back on shows I've been to since just 2022, I don't recall any of them that were at capacity. Contrast this from earlier years when there were times I ended up on the secondary market for tickets.  I'm guessing also that the cost for the various venues increased as well.  I know I'm paying more for various shows/concerts that I go to. 

One reason I really, really liked CW was you had an opportunity to connect with some of the performers.  The M&G's aren't worth it to me any more, because they are way too rushed.  I don't know how the girls feel about this.  Example:  I went to one of Lisa Kelly's Masterclasses.  She knew my name when I walked in.  Chatted a bit at one of the breaks about various shows I had met her at.  Same thing with Chloe.  I just don't feel that any more.  Don't get me wrong -- I still really like the music.

I always budgeted about $100 a ticket when I went to a show (and that's as far back as 2009.  I went to 2 shows in 2024, and they were similar in price. Other "Broadway" shows in my area (and there are 3 decent PAC's near me), I was paying $200 for decent, but not great, seats.  So, will CW have to raise their price?  Probably.

Yes, travel is probably brutal for everyone involved.  Being an artist is a tough way to make a living, especially since COVID.    Can you make money on something like StageIt?  Some, but probably not enough.  Is the whole back to the office movement going to change live performances? 

I can understand why they aren't doing anything right now.  Will CW be able to come back?  Maybe, IMHO, but not the way they were.  Will I still support them?  Sure, but maybe to the extent of 2 shows a year, not 12.

 I myself would understand why they may not done one before the 20th Anniversary as this one vs 10th Anniversary had a lot of new material! For this year if I had to guess it be to do with Emma. Even if a former member pitched in like Alex did for Susan in Homecoming it meant a lot of new material versions and choreography wheras Lynn did not the exact opposite as the Emerald Tour was basically all favorite classics all that she knew with the exception few one or two songs from Believe like Teir Abhaile Riu. Alex only filled in for few days so it wouldn't be possible nor anyone would so soon no matter if Susan be one of the types who would want to do it have she not been a parent 😉.

Good question. The world has changed so much since the 2005-06 Celtic Woman tour.
Is it possible that after COVID/Postcards from Ireland they brought in new management that had a vision that involves spring tours not being every year anymore???
The 20 tour has only had the North American leg so far and is due to go to UK/Ireland/elsewhere in Europe that does not speak English (especially since the 15th anniversary tour did not get to go anywhere else at all).
Do we think later this year there will be a new album/special??
It seems like that may be the norm now is every other year (2020-Celebration tour forced to stop due to COVID---2021-Postcards from Ireland recorded and released--2022 Postcards from Ireland tour/Christmas EP/Christmas tour---2023- No Spring tour/20 concert taped and album recorded/Christmas tour)--2024-20 Tour/Christmas tour--2025-No spring tour/do we think there will be a new album and special??/Christmas tour--2026-New tour).

I first thought it was cost due to inflation affecting everything, but maybe it was cause being on the road for that long every year was starting to take a toll on them

This is something I've been wondering about. I've also noticed there hasn't been any transparency on the canceled tours. Back in 2023 when the tour was canceled to prepare for the 20th anniversary that fall, it wasn't until later when it was announced why it was canceled. This year, I haven't seen any publications about the tour being canceled. At this point, we've assumed it's canceled due to no dates being released or news about the theme of the tour.

I wonder if management is slowly allowing the group to fade back some to allow time to recoup spending and costs. I remember the first few tours when they started had very basic sets, then during "Songs for the Heart" and "Believe," the tour sets grew into large designer pieces and stages. After the 10th anniversary, they started to get smaller and smaller to where the 20th seemed basic. They've also kept some of the same designs and backdrops over the past few tours. This could all be the result of cost and funding constraints.

I have also thought about the ladies on tour. Recently, it seems that we've experienced a lot of turnover in the lineup. Emma just had her first child, and she's probably limited in what she can do. Maybe finding someone to tour this spring was hard, and they didn't want to have another Hannah situation where someone comes in for one tour and then disappears.

This leads into another thing I've noticed from the current management. The departure announcements of the girls are no longer being done. Announcements wishing the girls luck with their future journey and letting the fans know of the changes have gone down over the past 10 years. I think it all started with Mairéad Nesbit leaving. CW had Tara posted while Mairéad was away, and when she returned, fans were reaching out about her being removed from the site and promos. I'm not sure if she had an agreement with CW for her to announce first, but according to her post, it sounded like she was caught off guard by how quickly the news got out.

Just some of my thoughts. This was originally going to be a small post but turned into a big one.

Yeah they never even announced a 2023 spring tour they just quietly decided not to do it.

I want to say this about this question 1 thing is you only have 2 girls Tara and Muirgen as Lisa L and Mairead C are both stand ins and I will bet you the stand in contracts are not cheap, so I think they are doing a wait for Emma to be able to return. Also they may be looking for a new 3rd girl which would be cheaper then having another stand in next year. I can't wait to see who will be on the Christmas tour. that might show who will be on the 2026 tour