The phrase “nothing good lasts forever” takes on an entirely different, much more personal meaning when it’s one of your all-time favorite bands.
Today, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real announced their indefinite hiatus in an effort to begin “a new creative chapter” after 15 years as a band.
After Lukas met drummer and fellow musician Anthony LoGerfo at a Neil Young concert in 2008, they discovered a shared love for rock music and eventually picked up several more band members forming Promise of the Real.
For many years, they served as Neil Young’s backing band both at concerts and on albums, and also appeared as the backing band for Jackson Maine, who was played by Bradley Cooper for the award-winning film A Star Is Born. Lukas also co-produced the soundtrack and wrote a lot of the music for the movie.
Additionally, they have appeared on stage with Willie Nelson numerous times as Lukas is the son of the iconic country musician.
They released three albums independently, and in 2017, put out their official debut with Fantasy Records Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, which is one of my all-time favorites albums. Most recently, in 2023, they released Sticks & Stones.
In a lengthy statement on Instagram, the band shared the (very sad) news that they’re starting the hiatus after the end of their summer shows this year, adding that they “do intend to work together again in the future.”
Additionally, they noted that they will all continue to pursue individual music careers, explaining that Lukas specifically plans to keep writing, recording and playing shows as a solo artist, which I’m very happy to hear as a massive fan of his, but still… it won’t be the same without POTR.
They’re easily one of the best bands I’ve ever seen perform live, and are always super tight, engaging and incredibly talented as individual musicians. I’m sure each of them will continue to be successful on their own, and I will look forward to the day that the band quite literally gets back together again (in whatever form or fashion that may be).
You can read the full statement here:
“After 15 unforgettable years, Promise of the Real has decided to take a well-earned hiatus, and begin a new creative chapter in all of our lives. Lukas plans to keep writing, recording, and playing shows, while the rest of us will continue to pursue our own projects and artistic ambitions.
Expect to see a lot more great art from all of us in the near future. We continue to love playing together, and we intend to work together again in the future, both individually and as a group. For now, you can see the band out on the summer 2024 dates. Thanks to all the Realers for your endless support.
You’re the best fans in the world. We love you, and we’ll see you down the road. Promise of the Real, Lukas, Tato, Anthony, Corey and Logan.”
At least we’ll always have the music, right? It will probably take me a few days (or weeks, I’m dramatic but trying not to take the news personally) to get over this…
They have a few more tour dates left as a group in 2024, and I can’t recommend highly enough getting to one of the shows if you can.
Lukas Nelson & POTR remaining 2024 tour dates:
June 7 – McKinney, TX
July 25 – Sacramento, CA
July 28 – White Sulphur Springs, MT
August 2 – Big Sky, MT
August 26 – Jackson Hole, WY
August 30 – Aspen, CO
I mean, pure magic, truly:
“Forget About Georgia”
“A Few Stars Apart”
