Photo Credit: Drake by Drew for The Come Up Show / CC by 2.0
Drake has cancelled his previously postponed Australia and New Zealand shows originally set for March, days after rescheduling a gig in Manchester.
Drake has cancelled the remaining shows of his Anita Max Win tour in Australia and New Zealand, originally set for March. The shows in Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland were initially postponed in February and rescheduled, according to the rapper’s team.
Live Nation Australia confirmed the news, explaining that efforts were made to find a solution, but rescheduling “within the necessary timeframe” wasn’t possible.
“Live Nation Australia regrets to inform you that the previously postponed Drake shows in Australia and New Zealand have now been officially cancelled,” their statement reads. “Despite extensive efforts to find a solution, rescheduling within the necessary timeframe was not possible.”
“Drake remains committed to returning and performing these shows when his schedule permits,” Live Nation’s statement continues. “All purchases for the cancelled shows will receive a refund. Please check your email for information regarding the refund process.”
The 38-year-old Toronto native announced on February 26 that he had delayed back-to-back appearances at Auckland’s Spark Arena, initially scheduled for March 15 and 16. He also delayed stops at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on March 4 and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on March 7. All shows were part of the 16-date Anita Max Win tour, which kicked off on February 4 and was scheduled to conclude on February 25.
News of the cancellations comes just days after Drake postponed a show in Manchester due to “travel logistics,” originally scheduled for Monday, July 28. That performance is now rescheduled for August 5, with organizers at the Co-Op Live Arena saying that “all tickets remain valid for the new date.”
Drake had already performed two gigs in the city on Friday and Saturday night as part of his global tour, and is due for another show at the venue on August 4.
“Due to unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics, tomorrow’s performance in Manchester on July 28 has been rescheduled,” said a statement from the Co-Op Live Arena over the weekend. “The good news is that Drake will now perform in Manchester on Tuesday, August 5, and it’s set to be an unforgettable night.”
However, many ticket holders remain unimpressed, with one woman saying she felt it was a “lame excuse of travel logistics.” Another fan wrote, “Extended my unpaid leave in Dubai to stay in Manchester so I could see Drake on 28 July just for him to cancel last minute.” Many other fans called the move a “joke.”
Given Drake’s now-notorious back-and-forth with Kendrick Lamar and the subsequent lawsuit he filed against Universal Music Group, one would think he would want to stay in his fans’ good graces. It remains to be seen whether he will make good on the new Manchester date, or when he plans to return to Australia and New Zealand.
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