The band may have been able to do things differently in order to have lost less/break even or maybe see a small profit. However, what it showed is what I've read elsewhere, touring is very expensive. The only people making money from tours are the ones who were successful under the old model. For new bands, this supposed new model of making anything from tours is a myth.
This becomes an even bigger problem if your fan base is predominantly abroad. The economics of touring abroad and be profitable for new bands....?