As widely reported by news organisations across the weekend, iconic Australian outfit INXS have decided to call it a day as a live touring outfit. The band broke the news to the 15,000 strong crowd at Perth Arena over the weekend and were later joined on stage by Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas for a final live rendition of fan favourite ‘Don’t Change’.
The band has today issued the following statement to their fans and to the media on the reasons behind their decision;
“We understand that this must come as a blow to everybody, but all things must eventually come to an end.
We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it’s time to step away from the touring arena.
Our music will of course live on and we will always be a part of that.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us throughout our extensive career. Our lives have been enriched by having you all as a part of the journey.”
Jon Farris continued, “It’s been 35 years for INXS as a live touring band and unbelievably it’s been 15 years ago since we lost Michael. We lived for each other in the trenches and we loved each other. It was the six of us against the world and then suddenly and inexplicably we were but five. We were lost right at the moment we were on top. INXS’ touring days could never last forever. We wanted it to end on a high. And it has.”
Andrew continued, “We never took a soft option, it was the adversity, the challenge and the struggle that forged us into the live working band we became. And this was as big as it could possibly get when it came to a challenge and in the end we decided for a whole bunch of reasons to march forward. To us there was no other option, families always move forward.”
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