Alternative rock group Echo and the Bunnymen canceled its U.S. tour dates, including a Nov. 18 show in State College, because of tax problems for foreign performers.
The band will cancel its eight tour dates in the United States, one of which is the State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., but will continue to tour overseas.
The Internal Revenue Service did not grant the Liverpool, England band a Central Witholding Agreement (CWA), executive director of the State Theatre Mike Negra said. Without the certification, venues would need to retain 30 percent of the revenue the band would normally earn for tax purposes.
Jesse Ruegg, promoter for local concert booking and promotions group Roustabout!, said his company was a media sponsor for the event. The United States used to have a very low taxation rate, he said, but policymakers recently bumped it up to be comparable to that of Canada and European countries.
"It's definitely a bummer, but these things happen all the time," Ruegg said. "In the end, it's kind of a reality of booking shows of this nature."
Ruegg said he was actually surprised State College was included on the small list of U.S. tour dates.
The State Theatre will refund anyone who purchased tickets as long as they present a valid ID and a credit card in the same name, Negra said. The refund will either be credited back to the card or given as credit for another ticket in the future.
Marketing Director of the State Theatre Kristy Cyone said it is unfortunate when bands have to cancel, but it is usually outside the venue's control.
All the State Theatre could do was offer a refund for its patrons, she said.
"Those things happen and we have to respond as best we can," Cyone said. "At this point in
time, they weren't able to reschedule."
Negra said the band applied for the agreement, but the paperwork was not completed in time.
The movie "Cloud Nine" will play in place of the band's performance.
Negra said he expects the band to reschedule some time next fall.
Greg Gabbard, owner of City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave., said the band would first try reschedule the shows it canceled before adding other dates for a new tour.
"All I know is that I'm disappointed," Gabbard said.
Collegian candidate Nick Weingartener contributed to this article.
