Behind the Curtain: Unveiling the Reasons Top Artists Are Abruptly Nixing Shows and Tours

Over the past few years, there has been an alarming increase in the number of major artists abruptly canceling shows or even entire tours. From Ariana Grande to Morrissey, Adele to Justin Bieber, many artists of all genres have pulled the plug on performances. While there are numerous factors contributing to these abrupt cancellations, they generally boil down to three main categories: artists’ physical health, mental health, and business related issues. Firstly, the physical toll that non-stop touring and performing takes on an artist’s body cannot be underestimated. Many artists perform intense, highly choreographed show routines that are physically demanding. Also, repetitive strain injuries, such as damage to vocal cords which can potentially lead to a career-ending scenario, is another threat looming for artists. Adele, for example, had multiple surgeries on her vocal cords and eventually had to cancel her tour in 2017 due to the recurring issue. The second catalyst for tour cancellations also stems from health concerns, albeit mental, rather than physical. The immense pressure of living life on the road and constantly being in the public eye, coupled with the expectation to deliver flawless performances night after night, can be tremendously stressful. Consequently, this can catalyze or exacerbate issues such as anxiety and depression. Justin Bieber is one artist who cited mental health reasons for ending his ‘Purpose’ tour prematurely in 2017. The music industry has become increasingly focused on the mental wellbeing of artists, with labels and management prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term profits. Consequently, they are becoming more accepting and supportive of artists who feel the need to cancel shows due to their mental health, despite potential adverse financial implications. The final key reason for show cancellations hangs more on the business side of the music industry. It revolves around low ticket sales, financial mismanagement, and disagreements between artists, their management teams, and promoters. A show may not be profitable if there are too many unsold tickets. Sometimes the unrealistic demands of the artists, or the under-delivery of promises made by management and promoters, lead to disagreements that precipitate cancellations. There are also wider trends contributing to these cancellations. The focus on experience economy has led to a rise in festivals, cruises, and other events that are stealing the spotlight from more traditional concerts and tours. As such, artists might cancel less lucrative or glamorous show dates to focus on these high-impact, high-density events. Furthermore, cancellations are