Black Pumas tour dates canceled for rest of 2022 as Austin band presses pause

Black Pumas, the Austin-born rock & soul band that's emerged as the biggest musical act out of the Live Music Capital in years, is taking a breather. The band posted the news on social media on Monday, though they were short on specifics.

"After four incredible years of career milestones and unforgettable live experiences around the world, we have made the difficult decision to press pause and step away from touring for the rest of the year," the statement read. "We have the best fans in the world and appreciate each and every one of you for your support and understanding. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to know you better."

From the archiveWith soul power, Black Pumas bring full-capacity live shows back to Austin

Before Monday's announcement, Black Pumas had a handful of 2022 shows still on the books, including gigs in Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut and California, as well as a stop in Canada. (No Austin or Texas concerts were on the books.) The band's website does not currently list any upcoming shows.

The news comes on the tail of several recent cancellations by the band, including shows in Missouri and Montana earlier this summer, as well as two Canadian festivals in July. All of those cancellations were attributed to "unforeseen circumstances" by the band on social media.

"Love you guys," country star Mickey Guyton commented on the band's Instagram post on Monday. Fellow ATO Records artist Pachyman commented, "the hardest workers. love yall."

Read the 2018 profileBlack Pumas say, 'Let's come together with all we have'

Austin360 Artist of the Month alums Black Pumas — aka Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada — emerged from the word-of-mouth wildfire of their 2018 residency at C-Boy's Heart and Soul on South Congress Avenue to become global stars in short order. "In an age of widespread despair, Black Pumas make rock songs feel like prayers," American-Statesman music writer Deborah Sengupta Stith wrote about the final show of the residency.

Their debut self-titled album came out in 2019, including the hit single "Colors." Black Pumas have scored six Grammy Award nominations since 2020, including for best new artist, album of the year and record of the year. All the while, Burton and Quesada have toured and still played many hometown shows, including a 2021 Stubb's residency that signaled the return of major concerts to Austin clubs following pandemic club closures in 2020.

Prolific Austin artist Quesada recently released a solo project called "Boleros Psicodélicos," and he's set to perform at Austin City Limits Music Festival in October.

The Statesman reached out to the band for comment on Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Black Pumas tour dates canceled for rest of 2022 as Austin band pauses