Sir Elton John reschedules Auckland shows, despite cancelling rained-out Yarra Valley gig
After cutting his Auckland show short last weekend, the show must go on for Sir Elton John, who has announced new dates for the axed concert. But the move is set to anger Victorian fans who were pelted with rain at his Yarra Valley gig.
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Sir Elton John has postponed his two remaining Auckland shows as he recovers from walking pneumonia.
The superstar has apologised for moving the concerts, due to take place in Auckland tonight and tomorrow, forward to January 2021.
Melbourne fans will hope the extra time off will mean his health improves enough to perform his final Victorian show ever, due to take place at AAMI Park this Saturday.
“I’m incredibly disappointed to have to reschedule my remaining Auckland dates and I want to send my sincerest apologies to my amazing fans for any inconvenience caused,” Sir Elton said in a statement.
“I always want to be able to give 100 per cent and I’m afraid that, right now, I’m not able to do that.”
Promoter Michael Chugg said Sir Elton was “devastated” but had to “listen to his doctors”.
The musician cut his Sunday night Auckland show short after struggling to sing.
The rescheduling of the two dates will likely anger fans who were at the Yarra Valley January 31 concert, which was cut short after extreme weather saw Sir Elton pelted with rain.
His piano blew up and various stage equipment and other instruments were destroyed, meaning the show could not be finished.
As 96 minutes of the show were performed, ticketholders were not eligible for refunds and Sir Elton’s schedule meant the concert could not be rescheduled.
The abandoned Auckland show similarly was not rescheduled or refunded, due to more than half the show being performed.
While some Yarra Valley ticketholders have taken up the offer of goodwill tickets to other shows, including a-ha and Rick Astley this Saturday, or James Blunt and Simple Minds later this year, others are planning a lawsuit against promoters.
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The Auckland shows had to be rescheduled to 2021 as the singer has concerts booked in solidly for the rest of the year as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour.
He is due to play AAMI Park on Saturday, then shows in Coffs Harbour, Townsville and the Sunshine Coast before his final Australian show, currently scheduled for Sydney on March 7.
All remaining Australian shows are outdoor events, which will have promoters nervous about how bad weather may further affect the singer’s health.
The Auckland dates, on January 15 and 16 2021, now mean his farewell tour will end in New Zealand.
The final date was originally planned to be in London on December 17 this year.