Cat Stevens says security measures are ‘standard procedure’

WATCH: Cat Stevens defends the security measures enforced for his upcoming sold out concert in Toronto.

TORONTO – Cat Stevens fans will be met with tight security measures as they attend the music legend’s sold out concert at Toronto’s Massey Hall in December.

An email recently sent out to ticket holders indicate a long list of restrictions and security procedures in place prior and during the concert.

They include arriving two hours before the 8 p.m. start time, providing government-issued photo IDs, showing the credit card used to purchase the ticket, metal detectors and a list of prohibited items such as backpacks and audio/video devices.

Ric Doedens, a long-time Stevens fan, tells the Toronto Star the security measures are “excessive and intrusive.”

But Stevens said on Twitter the doors are just opening earlier than usual and the rest of the regulations are “standard procedure.”

Stevens, who changed his name to Yusuf Islam in Dec. 1977, is embarking on his first North American tour in over 35 years and Toronto is the singer/songwriter’s only Canadian stop.

Yusuf is scheduled to release his first studio album in five years titled Tell ‘Em I’m Gone on Oct. 27.