Beloved THON and downtown State College cover band Go Go Gadjet won’t perform in THON 2022, the group announced on Thursday.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the band said it’d previously booked a gig during THON Weekend before knowing the annual event would return to an in-person format.

“After a challenging year-plus in the live entertainment industry, we had to do what was necessary in order to keep our business moving forward, which included taking bookings whenever possible,” Go Go Gadjet wrote.

While the band won’t rock the Bryce Jordan Center stage this weekend, it said it’ll still keep THON’s mission and supporters in mind.

“We will be thinking about the children who are battling to live,” the group said. “We will be thinking about the children who are in remission. We will be thinking about the children who are no longer with us.”

Go Go Gadjet has performed at 13 different THON Weekends, including THON 2021’s virtual event. The group skipped THON 2019 after making an appearance every year since 2007 but made a triumphant return at THON 2020.

“Good luck to each and every one of you involved in THON 2022, as well as a massive THANK YOU to those that have laid the groundwork and kept this train moving forward for 50 years,” Go Go Gadjet wrote online. “You are all amazing.”

You can read Go Go Gadjet’s full statement below.

THON 2022,

We are sorry to inform you that our band is unable to perform as the closing act of THON this year. Please know that everything is fine on our end and that we hope to return in the future! After a challenging year+ in the live entertainment industry, we had to do what was necessary in order to keep our business moving forward, which included taking bookings whenever possible. Unfortunately this date was booked months before we even knew an in-person THON would be happening this year. That said…

We will be thinking of you this weekend. We will be thinking about the children who are battling to live. We will be thinking about the children who are in remission. We will be thinking about the children who are no longer with us. We will be thinking about the dancers and the 46 hours they will be on their feet. We will be thinking about everyone who has worked and worked to make THON the amazing event that it is.

We have performed at THON 13 times, including one virtual appearance. THON is a part of our story and we will miss you all dearly this weekend! We have included some of our favorite THON memories in these pictures and videos.

Just before the finish line, you will see some familiar faces. Our brothers (and sister!) in Go Go Retro have stepped up and will be helping the dancers power through their final minutes. They are prepped and ready to lead the BJC in the most epic of sing-alongs!

Good luck to each and every one of you involved in THON 2022, as well as a massive THANK YOU to those that have laid the groundwork and kept this train moving forward for 50 years. You are all amazing.

F.T.K.

Go Go Gadjet