Svalbard's Serena Cherry on Touring's Unsustainable Costs

0:00On March 26, Serena Cherry, the singer and guitarist for the UK Post Hardcore band, Svalbard, opened up about the skyrocketing costs of touring that. Our forcing her group to call it quits in 2026 after one final run of shows. She explained in a recent podcast interview that these expenses have made life on the road unsustainable, especially since she juggles it all with a full-time job at a gaming magazine, often pulling eight-hour shifts or more right before hitting the stage. This Brexit rules now require bands like Svalbard to buy a carnit just to bring merchandise into Europe, adding fees based on the value of their gear. And shirts, which forces price hikes even in cheaper spots like Poland. Meanwhile, touring the United States is out of reach due to thousands of pounds in visa costs per person, with no guarantee of approval. Cherry is not alone in this struggle, as other heavy acts like Ithaca, Devon Townsend, and while she sleeves have also announced breakups or touring, breaks this year, citing burnout and finances as key factors.

1:02She warns that without family support or extra income, it's getting harder for working class musicians to keep going amid merch cuts of 25. Percent, fuel bills, and more, predicting metal scenes will soon echo only privileged voices. Svalbard wraps up with dates in Japan, Canada, Europe, and a hometown finale at ArtEngine Festival this August. That's your music news today update. AI-powered, and always on.