Jack White Says He’d “Rather Not” Play Festivals At All

May 26, 2015

Australian Jack White fans have been waiting patiently — well, not that patiently — for the former White Stripes frontman to return to Aussie shores, and now White himself has put another nail in the coffin of his future touring prospects by saying he doesn’t want to play festivals.

As Consequence Of Sound reports, during an online Q&A for members of Third Man Records’ Vault program over the weekend, White had some honest words to share about performing at festivals.

“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,” White said.

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

White also shared his views on touring in general, saying, “It’s very expensive to tour. People think that’s how musicians make their money these days sadly, but it’s hard to on the road no matter what size you are.”

Most troubling, though, was White’s response to the question, “What is something we might not know about you?”, which he responded to with, “That I don’t belong here, and most of the time it’s torture trying to find reasons to stay.”

Jack White last toured Australia in 2012. He released his latest solo album, Lazaretto, in 2014, but has announced a hiatus from live performance “for a long period of time”, so let’s hope he’s not suffering from a severe case of the post-tour blues.

Read a transcript of White’s responses via the Jack White Will Own You tumblr page, and catch up on 10 other international tours we’re still waiting for, below.

Gallery: 11 International Tours We’re Still Waiting For