Dance Gavin Dance Will Still Play Swanfest + Start Their Tour After Bassist’s Death

Dance Gavin Dance said on Monday (April 18) that they would move forward with their planned Swanfest 2022 music festival this month, and ensuing U.S. tour this spring, while mourning the loss of their longtime bassist, Tim Feerick, who died last week.

The death has made for the "most challenging time in Dance Gavin Dance's history," the band stated. "On Thursday, April 14th, we found out that we had lost Tim."

They continued, "While he was the bassist in the band, he was also out brother and best friend. Losing him is devastating. We were preparing to meet up this past weekend in Sacramento for a photoshoot and then rehearse this week ahead of Swanfest and the subsequent tour, when we heard the devastating news."

Dance Gavin Dance added, "After the initial shock and sadness, it wasn't long after that we were faced with some challenging decisions about the immediate future and our upcoming plans. After many internal discussions with our team and, most importantly, Tim's family, we have decided to perform this year's Swanfest and do the subsequent tour in honor and dedication to Tim. We will also move ahead with the announcement of our forthcoming album, later this week."

Joining Dance Gavin Dance for the one-day Swanfest in Sacramento, Calif., on April 23 will be Animals as Leaders, Knocked Loose, Movements and many, many other bands. Their U.S. tour with Memphis May Fire and Volumes begins immediately thereafter.

Last week, the California-based post-hardcore outfit shocked their fans and followers when they revealed in a separate statement, "We are absolutely devastated to share the news that our friend and bass player, Tim Feerick, passed away last night."

In response to an outpouring of fan support, Dance Gavin Dance vocalist Tilian Pearson replied, "I appreciate everyone who has reached out to me, so much. It actually really helps. The pain is unbearable but it gets better when someone wants to share it." Dance Gavin Dance did not offer Feerick's cause of death.

Feerick, who plays bass on Dance Gavin Dance's latest album, Afterburner, had maintained membership in the group for the past decade after joining in 2009 but leaving the following year. He returned in 2012, supplanting bassist Eric Lodge. Loudwire sends condolences to Feerick's family, friends and fans.

Dance Gavin Dance, Memphis May Fire, Volumes + Moon Tooth Spring 2022 U.S. Dates

April 23 – Sacramento, Calif. @ Swanfest
April 26 – Spokane, Wash. @ Knitting Factory
April 27 – Boise, Idaho @ Revolution
April 29 – Wichita, Kan. @ Cotillion
April 30 – Omaha, Neb. @ The Admiral
May 1 – Des Moines, Iowa @ Val Air
May 3 – Ft Wayne, Ind. @ Pierre's
May 4 – Cleveland, Ohio @ Agora
May 6 – Grand Rapids, Mich. @ Intersection
May 7 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ Eagles Ballroom
May 9 – Rochester, N.Y. @ Main Street Armory
May 10 – Albany, N.Y. @ Empire Live
May 11 – Hartford, Ct. @ Webster Theater
May 13 – Richmond, Va. @ The National
May 14 – Raleigh, N.C. @ The Ritz
May 15 – Columbia, S.C. @ The Senate
May 17 – Ponte Vedra, Fla. @ Concert Hall
May 19 – Knoxville, Tenn. @ Knoxville Auditorium
May 20 – Birmingham, Ala. @ Sloss Furnaces