Jack White admits touring doubts

Jack White has admitted he may never tour again – or if he does, he’ll do it solo.

His doubts are based on the way the touring environment works, along with financial concerns. His latest comments come after he announced he’d be taking a “break from performing for a long period of time.”

In an online Q&A session full of deadpans and one-liners, White says: “I’d say half the shows I play I’d rather not play. Festivals for example. But I have to make the best of it and try to get inspired.

“It’s hard when the people who organise festivals basically control my life. I have to book shows around their offer that I can’t refuse.”

He adds: “It’s very expensive to tour – people think that’s how musicians make their money these days, but it’s hard to go on the road no matter what size you are”

And he continues: “Only seated theatres for acoustic shows for the rest of my days.”

Elsewhere in the conversation, White tackles the image of himself as a technophobe, or someone who’d prefer to live in the past. He says: “If I don’t have a cellphone, it’s not to be cool or make a point. I just think people look ridiculous holding them and staring at them all day.

“If I had one, that’s what I’d be doing as well. It would rob me of a lot of inspiration. I’m not telling you not to have one – I’m just telling you why I don’t.

“It’s funnier for them to box me into that technology-hating wax cylinder guy. It would be easier for me to like what everyone else does and not get hassled, but I try to find something inspiring in whatever I have my hands on

“It’s usually mixing the newest with what is soulful from the past I think.”

At his last show before performing his disappearing act, White said: “If you feel strongly about music and you love music, tell people that. Tell people that music is sacred.”

Jack White’s parting message: ‘Music is sacred’

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.