With the recent news about Tara. It'll be interesting on how they'll produce a new special. Will Tara be able to tour next year with a new born? Baby would be close to 7-9 months old by the time the tour starts. Emma's would be around 1yr. I'm on the edge of my seat for CW plans for the next year. It's been really quiet this year with only single releases.

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.

I'm starting to think if there will be a tour in 2025. I haven't seen them post pushing their website for 2025 Tour dates. Could they be focusing on the Symphony Tour right now with Emma being on leave until she returns? Are they unsure when she'll return if there's someone to sub in for a Tour in 2025? Were the dates posted on the venue websites posted early and they were just hold dates to reserve the venue until Tour plans are finalize?

What are your thoughts?

I never noticed there was a change. I'm not sure unless it was a copyright issue with the photo.

It's the normal Apple Music App.

I just purchased the "Limited Edition" gold vinyl from their website. Wondering how the gold cover will hold up in this summer heat through the mail. Had anyone purchased one and how was it wrapped? Is it made in gold vinyl or wrapped in gold? I didn't want to get it and with the heat the wrap would be bubbled and pealing.

This is my first vinyl album purchase, so I'm not familiar how they are made.

I'm glad you mentioned the pipes. Just today, I was listening to the new album and I noticed that they like to play pipes with Tara. I think it goes back to VOA album. Not sure why that is, but you can also hear a difference when Mairead N plays Granuaile's Dance. Before it was just her, now the pipes muddle up the notes at times and doesn't sound the same. Wish they would allow Tara to play by herself on those parts to show her talent.