Ten days before the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was set to return to North America, Elton John has announced the postponement of 19 upcoming shows.
On Monday, the legendary British songwriter joined the ongoing and seemingly endless roster of artists affected by the threat and concern surrounding the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19.
Shows scheduled on the musician’s final tour between March 26 and May 2 have been pushed back to soon-to-be-announced dates in 2021, according to a press release.
The Rocket Man‘s “tough decision” was made “with the safety and well-being of his fans put to the fore, at a time when health services are under increased pressure and with the concern that these gatherings risk accelerating the spread of COVID-19.”
Not only have 15 upcoming U.S. tour dates been affected by John’s last-minute decision, but four Canadian gigs as well: Toronto (March 28, 29) and Montreal (April 2, 3).
From the cancellation of the 2020 Juno Awards and the suspension of the 2019-20 NHL season last week to the ongoing postponements of concert tours continent-wide in the last two weeks, it’s clear that the global pandemic has quite literally plagued the entertainment industry as a whole.
For those who were hanging tightly onto tickets for one of John’s gigs, fear not, as confirmed by his team: all original tickets will be honoured at the rescheduled concert dates.
“Elton looks forward to continuing to perform for his dedicated fans around the world and thanks you for your support,” the statement concluded.
Despite already having made 16 Canadian stops — including one in Montreal and four in Toronto — the final tour is set to bring John, 72, back to the nation one last time in 2021 for the postponed dates.
Ticketholders for the affected Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert dates were advised on Monday to hold onto their tickets and will receive new event information shortly, according to Ticketmaster.
Additional tour dates, updates and additional details can be found through the official Elton John website.
Postponed 2020 North American Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour dates
March 26 — Indianapolis, Ind. @ Bankers Life FieldhouseMarch 28 — Toronto, Ont. @ Scotiabank ArenaMarch 29 — Toronto, Ont. @ Scotiabank ArenaApril 2 — Montreal, Que. @ Bell CentreApril 3 — Montreal, Que. @ Bell CentreApril 6 — New York City, N.Y. @ Madison Square GardenApril 7 — New York City, N.Y. @ Madison Square GardenApril 10 — Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Barclays CenterApril 11 — Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Barclays CenterApril 15 — Newark, N.J. @ Prudential CenterApril 17 — Long Island, N.Y. @ NYCB Live’s Nassau ColiseumApril 18 — Long Island, N.Y. @ NYCB Live’s Nassau ColiseumApril 20 — Hershey, Pa. @ Giant CenterApril 23 — Grand Rapids, Mich. @ Van Andel ArenaApril 25 — Columbus, Ohio @ Schottenstein CenterApril 26 — Louisville, Ky. @ KFC Yum! CenterApril 8 — Milwaukee, Wis. @ Fiserv ForumMay 1 — Detroit, Mich. @ Little Caesars ArenaMay 2 — Detroit, Mich. @ Little Caesars Arena