The big music events being hit by the coronavirus crisis
Faith No More has joined the long list of bands and performers who have been forced to change the dates of their Australian shows over the coronavirus crisis. See what other gigs are on hold.
Entertainment
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Faith No More has become the latest band to reschedule their Australian tour until after the coronavirus crisis.
The US rock band were due to play Rod Laver Arena on May 16, they will now perform at the same venue on March 1 next year.
“The circumstances that have forced this decision are well beyond our control but not being able to play for you all stings,” the band said in a statement. “We fully intend to make good on our promise to come down and perform for you all. Hold on to your tickets, if these new dates don’t work, we’ll refund your ticket.”
West Australian chart toppers Tame Impala have moved their April 23 and 24 Rod Laver Arena shows to December 13 and 14.
International flight restrictions and no end date to the current size limits on public events mean promoters and bands are in limbo.
Musicians and promoters are also facing a new economy where concert tickets may be seen as a financial luxury, while rebuilding public confidence in attending large events could be difficult.
The Wiggles have put their Australian and Canadian tours on hold, and are waiting to see what the post coronavirus world looks like.
“If we get shows before the end of the year we’ll be doing OK,” Wiggles member Lachlan Gillespie said. “And you’d have to think there will be parents who simply won’t be able to afford to bring their kids to shows as well.”
While a handful of artists and events have cancelled their Australian tours — including Pussycat Dolls, Dave Matthews Band and the Groovin’ the Moo and Download festivals — many concerts retain their postponed status and are yet to either officially cancel or be rescheduled, as artists and promoters navigate uncertain times globally.
They include Backstreet Boys, Iron Maiden, Alanis Morissette, The Offspring and Lenny Kravitz.
Australian fans have been asked to hold on to their tickets rather than requesting a refund for postponed shows via the hashtag campaign #keepyourticket as a way of supporting the live music industry which has been hit hard by the coronavirus.
Website ilostmygig.net.au has tracked the total lost income for musicians, security staff, hospitality, roadies and other production crew at over $325 million.
US band The Killers announced a show at AAMI Park for November but put the on sale date on hold figuring fans should “stay focused on prevention and remaining safe and cautious right now.”
The band promised to devote a portion of ticket income to local organisations impacted by COVID-19 when the shows go on sale.
There has been one arena tour selling strongly through the period — former One Direction member Harry Styles — who has rescheduled his European tour will play Rod Laver Arena on November 28 and 29.
RESCHEDULED
Faith No More — Rod Laver Arena March 1 (was May 16)
Tame Impala — Rod Laver Arena December 13, 14 (was April 23, 24)
Tones And I — Forum October 12, 13 (was May 7, 8)
Red Hot Summer Tour — North Gardens Ballarat October 20 (was March 28)
City and Colour — The Forum November 4, 5 (was April 24, 25)
Stormzy — Melbourne Arena November 24 (was May 14)
Billy Bragg — Forum Theatre February 11, 12, 13 (was Croxton Bandroom May 6, 7, 8)
Tim Minchin — Hamer Hall January 14-16 (was March 26-28)
Violent Femmes — Forum November 25 (was March 20)
The National — Palais Theatre December 15,16,17 (was March 30,31, April 1)
POSTPONED AWAITING MORE INFORMATION
Backstreet Boys
Iron Maiden
Lenny Kravitz
The Offspring
Alanis Morissette
Patti Smith
Supergrass
MORE NEWS
MELBOURNE EVENTS CANCELLED OR POSTPONED
COUPLES LIVING APART BANNED FROM VISITING EACH OTHER