JP Saxe wrote a guest column for Variety detailing how canceling a tour led to the revival of his career as an independent artist [1].
The account provides a rare look at the financial and strategic risks independent musicians face when scaling their live performances. By documenting the failure of a specific tour, Saxe highlights the tension between artistic ambition and market demand.
Saxe said that the decision to cancel the tour occurred 12 months ago [1]. The artist attributed the failure to a misalignment between his goals and the actual interest from the public.
“I aimed too high and didn’t sell enough tickets,” Saxe said [1].
The artist described the experience as a catalyst for a professional relaunch. Rather than viewing the cancellation as a definitive end, he framed the event as a necessary step to rebuild his trajectory. This process involved adjusting his expectations, and refocusing his approach to touring as an independent act [1].
Saxe said that the period following the cancellation allowed him to pivot his strategy. The resulting shift in perspective helped him regain momentum in the industry after the initial setback [1].
““I aimed too high and didn’t sell enough tickets,””
This transparency reflects a growing trend of independent artists discussing the economic volatility of the 'creator economy.' By admitting to overestimating ticket demand, Saxe illustrates the precarious nature of self-funding large-scale tours without the safety net of a major label's financial cushioning.
