Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx shared an emotional message about the band’s ongoing tour coming to an end and explained how his approach to touring has changed over the years, hinting at his future plans with the band.
Sixx wrote: “5 shows left out of 35. Hard to believe we’re already here. There’s been so much energy between us and the crowd this summer. Something feels different—in the best possible way. We feel revived. After 45 years together, that’s a pretty amazing thing to be able to say.”
“Once these last five shows are done, the rest of the year is off. There are a few songs percolating, a few ideas floating around for next year, but we’re in no rush. Right now I think we’re all just soaking in what a great summer this has been.”
“The way we tour these days has changed everything. We don’t do those endless stretches anymore. We go out, give everything we’ve got, then go home, recharge and come back hungry again. Turns out you don’t have to completely destroy yourself to play rock ‘n’ roll.”
“I’ve got a 7-year-old at home and I don’t want to miss a thing. For years I used to say, ‘The perfect balance is imbalance.’ I believed it, too. Full speed ahead. Work harder. Create more. Never stop. I think I’ve finally outgrown that concept.”
“Maybe after 45 years, I’m learning that you can love the road and still love going home. You can be completely committed to the music without missing the moments that really matter.”
“45 years in, and somehow this crazy ride still feels exciting. Maybe even more than ever. Five more. Let’s make ’em count.”
As the band heads into the final stretch of its summer run, the details behind the trek and Sixx’s comments about what comes next add useful context to his message.
The run is a 33-date North American tour with a reimagined show and an updated setlist, featuring performances by very special guests Tesla and Extreme.
The tour kicked off on July 17 at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, and is set to wrap on September 26 at Cascades Amphitheater in Ridgefield, Washington. That timeline matches Sixx’s countdown of five remaining shows. The trek marks the band’s first full tour in three years.
The run has also doubled as a launchpad for new material. The group has been “working on new music with producer Bob Rock,” with “additional songs… in progress,” though no full-length album has been formally announced. The band’s most recent original release, “Dogs of War,” arrived in April 2024 and was their first original song recorded with guitarist John 5.
The touring cycle also lands in the middle of a major anniversary. Mötley Crüe will release a 45th anniversary box set of their debut album Too Fast For Love on October 30 via BMG. That release follows earlier reports that a special edition tied to the original 1981 Leathür Records pressing would be revealed later this year.
For Sixx, the closing stretch appears to be less about an ending and more about a reset. The band’s lighter touring schedule, combined with fresh music in the works and a milestone anniversary release, points to a future that stays active without returning to the grind he says he has left behind.
