Get your wiggle on: International shows are set to return to New Zealand within months
It has been nine months with the doors closed to international music, comedy and theatre as Covid-19 put a freeze on touring but the global music scene seems to be thawing.
Some musicians are promising to be back in New Zealand in a few months.
American rockstars Guns N’ Roses announced a New Zealand tour last month, with intentions to perform in Auckland and Dunedin in November.
Australian children’s band
The Wiggles was even more optimistic, promising to tour New Zealand in March.
Their tour announcements came a few weeks after another round of cancellations from global acts that had tried delaying but eventually had to bail on New Zealand tours.
Indie rock band The National had planned to perform in April 2020 but postponed to December and then cancelled completely.
A few weeks before Guns N’ Roses promised ‘‘stadium rock is back’’, The National said: ‘‘We regret to inform you our 2020 Australian and New Zealand tour has been cancelled’’.
It was no surprise, of course.
Concerts that are going ahead overseas look like strange gatherings, sometimes involving groups standing on podiums to ensure social distancing.
It requires a special exemption for foreigners to enter New Zealand and wanting to put on a show is not reason enough to avoid ‘‘managed isolation’’.
The new 2021 tour announcements begin to look increasingly optimistic, considering Bon Iver just last week cancelled its April tour. The band had moved its June 2020 tour to April 2021 but told fans cancelling the tour altogether was the responsible choice.
Green Day, Weezer and Fall
Out Boy – which had been set to perform together as part of the ‘‘Hella Mega Tour’’ – cancelled as well.
The Backstreet Boys and Patti Smith are set to perform in April.
Tickets for the Backstreet Boys April 28 show at Auckland’s Spark Arena were still on sale yesterday.
American singer-songwriter Patti Smith, who is 73 years old, is set to start her Australia and New Zealand tour on March 28 in Melbourne. Tickets for the Auckland Town Hall gig, on April 8, were also still on sale.
Other artists have given themselves more time. Elton John has delayed his already delayed Janu
ary 2021 concert to January 2023.
The 2021 gig was itself a postponement – but not because of Covid-19. They were from his February tour, where he started the New Zealand tour but broke down on stage.
He was diagnosed with walking pneumonia, and rescheduled the remaining two Auckland concerts.
By the time Elton John returns to finish his 2020 tour in 2023, the legendary British rock legend will be 74 years old.
Local promoter Michael Chugg earlier said he was confident Elton John would return to finish the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. However, ticket holders could apply for a refund via Ticketmaster.
Rod Stewart and the Violent Femmes both delayed their 2020 concerts to 2022, with dates in April and February.
But it is November 2021 that is setting itself up for a massive month of international music for New Zealand.
As well as the Guns N’ Roses tour, My Chemical Romance and Alanis Morissette are set to play.
Simple Minds are set for December.
My Chemical Romance had been booked to play in March at Outer Fields but the show was postponed to November 6, 2021.
A few tours have been postponed indefinitely and are yet to announce new dates.
Among those were Harry Styles, who was touring his Fine Line album released last year, and Lenny Kravitz, who was also yet to announce a new date.