Fans of Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer Devin Townsend are in for a bittersweet treat. The renowned musician has announced that his upcoming North American tour, set to kick off May 2 in Nashville, Tennessee, will be his “last time” on the road for quite some time.
In a statement shared earlier today (Monday, April 28), Devin revealed: “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 on to 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. 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.
“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.”
In a separate message, Devin added: ”In two weeks I start a tour in America. This video acts as me announcing that I’m going to stop touring for a while after this American tour coming up, starting next month.
“If you’re in America and you wanna have the opportunity to see me or meet me or participate in the work that I do in a live front, this upcoming tour will be the last time you get a chance to see me for quite some time. I’m going on a vacation. That being said, that vacation will incorporate about a dozen things that I’ve been waiting to do for all these years that have to be pushed aside because of the constant touring.
“So I say this again, this American tour coming up starting next month, if you want to have the opportunity to see me, this is your opportunity, my friends.
“It’s a pleasure to play for you. It’s a pleasure to be in your life, and thank you for being in mine.”
Devin Townsend‘s North American tour dates are as follows:
May 02, 2025 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
May 03, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
May 04, 2025 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues (Orlando)
May 06, 2025 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
May 07, 2025 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
May 09, 2025 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square
May 10, 2025 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
May 11, 2025 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
May 13, 2025 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
May 14, 2025 – Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
May 16, 2025 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Cathedral Theatre
May 17, 2025 – Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Metal Fest
May 19, 2025 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
May 21, 2025 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
May 23, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Source: metaladdicts.com
