April Wine guitarist Brian Greenway recently shared his concerns about Triumph’s upcoming reunion tour. He addressed potential challenges the band may face during their 2026 touring cycle in an interview with The Metal Voice.
Greenway’s comments focused on the readiness of Triumph members for their return to touring after a 30-year hiatus. He particularly emphasized their physical preparation and commitment to the tour dates.
“Yeah, well, that started with the Stanley Cup games, right? And Phil X and the other two guys (Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz) were with them,” Greenway said. “Last night there was a little blurb from Rick Emmett about how he’s so out of shape for touring. It’s been 30 years. And I go, ‘Man, this is a big thing that’s been offered to you, you know, get yourself ready.'”
The April Wine guitarist emphasized the contrast between his band’s touring experience and Triumph’s current situation.
“We’ve been doing it non-stop, so we’re ready,” he continued. “But if they’re not ready, it’s going to kill them. You know, even at a nice arena tour, and they are playing 90 minutes a night, but we’re only doing two or three shows in a row. Also they didn’t help each other well by saying they might not be at every show.”
April Wine is set to serve as the opening act for Triumph’s reunion tour in 2026.
Greenway’s concerns come as Triumph prepares for what marks their most significant touring commitment in decades. This represents a major milestone for the Canadian rock legends.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that the Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded tour will span 24 cities. The tour begins April 22 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and concludes June 6 in Boston. The extensive tour represents Triumph’s first full touring cycle since 1993. This makes it a historic comeback for the band that helped define Canadian rock in the 1970s and 1980s.
The reunion tour will feature the original Triumph lineup of Rik Emmett, Mike Levine, and Gil Moore, but they won’t be performing alone. Loudwire revealed that Phil X, Brent Fitz, and Todd Kerns will join the original members on their 50th anniversary reunion tour. They will provide additional musical support for the aging rockers.
The tour announcement has generated significant interest among fans. Blabbermouth noted that Rik Emmett has suggested the reunion tour could potentially be extended depending on initial ticket sales. The Canadian leg of the tour will run through May 8 in Calgary before moving to U.S. venues.
The physical demands of touring after such an extended hiatus remain a legitimate concern, as Greenway pointed out. At their age and after three decades away from regular touring, the original Triumph members face the challenge of rebuilding their stamina for 90-minute performances across multiple consecutive nights. This makes Greenway’s warnings about preparation particularly relevant for the band’s upcoming comeback.
