On Friday (Jan. 5), the band’s fans began expressing concern online upon noticing that its website and socials had been wiped clean. As a source confirms to Billboard, the fresh start follows the expiration of the band’s 20-year contract with Atlantic Records in late December, meaning the Hayley Williams-fronted group is now a free agent.
The contract expiration was first reported by Variety.
Paramore’s sixth album, This Is Why, was released last February and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Ahead of its release, frontwoman Hayley Williams spoke on the fact that the album would complete its deal with Atlantic and added: “We’ve been really lucky. We always will have gripes — it’s an industry — but we know that we’ve been really lucky. It’s more just the fact that it’s time to f—ing finish something. And it’s time to know that we’re not doing the same s— that we’ve been on since we were teenagers. It’s just going to feel so nice to start a new book. You know, like no more chapters of this one. Whole new book. And I’m excited.”
Paramore hit the scene in 2005 with its debut album, All We Know Is Falling. All six of the band’s albums have hit the Billboard 200, with its self-titled fourth release topping the tally. On the Hot 100, the band has charted 11 songs, including one top 10 with “Ain’t It Fun” (released as the last single off Paramore).
Amidst the scrubbing of its website and social accounts, Paramore announced it had canceled an upcoming festival appearance. Though its Instagram account was wiped, the band posted a statement on Instagram Stories Thursday (Jan. 4) that read: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Paramore can no longer attend and perform at iHeartRadio ALTer EGO on January 13. The band apologizes for any inconvenience.”
Paramore is still set to join Taylor Swift on her upcoming U.K. and European Eras Tour dates. The nearly 50 shows are scheduled for May through August.
