System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian has opened up about why the band doesn't plan on touring for a while. In a new interview with Revolver, Tankian revealed that he has been dealing with some health issues, and that touring is not a top priority for him at this point in his life.
"I have some other things I'm dealing with right now, which may or may not be affected by travel or touring. It wasn't just a health-related decision as far as cutting down on touring, but also a lifestyle decision," Tankian explained.
"I've been touring for 20-something years, on and off, of course. Not every year. And it's fun, it's profitable, it makes a lot of people happy in terms of being out there and sharing the music and seeing the reaction, and people really enjoying it and getting that feedback. But after years of doing it and the travel that's involved, it's one of those things where it's not the top priority on my list in life."
Tankian also said that he is not interested in touring because he finds it repetitive, while on-off shows – like the only one planned for the band in 2024, happening at the Sick New World Festival – have a different vibe: "When you're doing a tour, after a while it's like Groundhog Day. You try to be as creative and present to each show as you can, but after the second week, you've been there, done that already. But when it's one show, it's actually unique and special and fun."
System of a Down only played one show in 2023, coincidentally at the very same festivals they are scheduled for next year. Tankian said that he is open to playing more shows in the future, but it is not something that he is actively pursuing at this time.
"I'm not saying that I'll never tour again," he said. "But for the foreseeable future, it's not something that I'm really interested in doing."
