Nine Inch Nails fans were disappointed to hear that the band is putting its 2020 tour dates on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, before they despair or get any more sad than they already were listening to Trent Reznor’s lyrics, fans should know that they can still get their hands on the planned tour merchandise, and that the money raised will benefit local food banks.
The band released the following tongue-in-cheek statement on its web store:
From the 2020 Cold and Black and Infinite Tour that never happened. What a tour! We saw you in the front row. Thanks for inviting us back to your place after the show. We’re friends now.
The store also details that profits from the merch will go toward food banks in San Diego, LA, Seattle, Vancouver, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Toronto.
The what-could-have-been dates are below & we had some merch for that tour in production that we’re putting in the store w/ all of NIN’s profits going to local food banks in the cities we were going to play. (4/7) https://t.co/Hstqia3QrO pic.twitter.com/TuOwJ4M3xu
— nine inch nails (@nineinchnails) May 19, 2020
This is a pretty elegant solution to the problem of having tour merchandise that is instantly obsolete. Reznor’s sense of humor with the web store statement softens the blow for fans a little, and they can still feel like they were part of something by purchasing this merchandise. What’s even better is that the money actively makes the situation so many are dealing with right now a little easier.
We have a feeling that this won’t be the last story like this, as sports games, concerts and events are either being canceled, postponed or shifted online, but the physical merchandise is still there.
