The Weeknd’s Aussie and NZ shows officially canned

The Australian leg of a superstar North American artist’s world tour was in doubt but has now officially been canned. See what it means for ticketholders.

Canadian singer The Weeknd has officially cancelled his Australian tour.

The shows were originally set to begin in November last year and were indefinitely postponed at short notice but have now been canned and fans offered refunds.

Ticketek has told ticketholders that refunds would be issued however also said it would “work through the rescheduling process with the artist”.

Anyone who held onto their ticket from six months ago can get a priority purchase if or when a new tour is announced, but otherwise anyone hoping to see the singer will have to join the ticket queue all over again.

The Weeknd, a.k.a. Abel Tesfaye, took to Auckland’s Spark Arena in November 2017 and was due to play two shows in the city this time around. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The multiple Grammy winner was due to play two shows in each of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland as part of a global After Hours Til Dawn stadium tour from November 2023.

The show run was postponed two weeks before the first concert in Queensland.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must reschedule the Australia/New Zealand tour … Deeply disappointed but can’t wait to be there with you!,” the artist said in a statement at the time.

The Canadian played the Superbowl Halftime Show in 2021. Picture: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

There has been no official statements explaining the postponement or now cancellation, but a host of Australian festivals have been cancelled in recent months because of costs and/or low attendance.

Regional touring festival Groovin’ The Moo, Splendour in the Grass and Mona Foma at the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania have all succumbed.

The Weeknd starred in fictitious HBO series The Idol, which was released in mid-2023. The show was led by Lily-Rose Depp as a troubled musician and was widely poorly received by critics.