While there are a lot of promising signs in the current touring landscape — from the successful rollouts of the Rolling Loud and Lollapalooza festivals to major events like Bonnaroo and ACL Fest remaining on the fall schedule — there are plenty of examples of the surging COVID-19 pandemic’s toll on an already-struggling industry.
Because there are near-daily announcements of cancellations and postponements, we’re keeping track of the latest in this updating list. Below, find all the 2021 concerts and festivals that have been canceled or rescheduled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (These are listed in descending order of announcement, so find the latest cancellations at the very top.)
The Flaming Lips
The psychedelic rockers had been scheduled to perform two New Year’s Eve shows in Tennessee, but announced alongside the venue on Dec. 27 that the concerts would be postponed until February due to the surge of COVID-19 cases. “The Flaming Lips and The Caverns are heartbroken to deliver this news, and we know you’re no doubt sad to read it, but the health and safety of guests, staff, crew and everyone on stage is of utmost importance,” they said in a joint statement.
LCD Soundsystem
The group canceled the final three shows of their Brooklyn Steel residency due to spiking COVID-19 cases and requests from fans to nix the concerts. Just days earlier, LCD Soundsystem had said they would not nix the shows.
iHeartRadio Y100 Jingle Ball
Jingle Ball’s Florida stop, which was scheduled for Dec. 19, was canceled the morning of the show. “Due to the increased transmission of the new Covid-19 variant and to further minimize any potential risks, as a precautionary measure and for the safety of our staff, talent and guests, we have made the decision to cancel tonight’s iHeartRadio Y100 Jingle Ball,” iHeartRadio tweeted.
Charli XCX and ‘Saturday Night Live’
Hours ahead of her scheduled performance on SNL, the pop star announced that her set was no longer happening. “due to the limited crew at tonight’s taping of snl my musical performances will no longer be able to go ahead,” she tweeted. “i am devastated and heartbroken. … it can’t happen this time but I’ll be back! i am currently safe and healthy but of course very sad.” The news came shortly after the NBC late-night comedy show announced that it was going to tape without a live audience due to surging COVID-19 numbers. The show also sent the majority of cast members home, and aired pre-recorded sketches as well as holiday favorites from years past as Paul Rudd hosted for the fifth time.
Megan Thee Stallion and Jonas Brothers
The rapper and the sibling trio both nixed their performances at Atlanta’s Jingle Ball on Dec. 16 after members of their teams tested positive. “While I tested negative today, I’m not feeling well, and as a safety precaution, I won’t be able to perform at Jingle Ball in Atlanta,” the rapper tweeted. The Jonas Brothers said a member of their production crew had fallen ill, and that the siblings were “extremely disappointed” to not perform for fans.
Brett Eldredge
The country singer announced on Dec. 16 that he had contracted a breakthrough case of COVID-19, and had to reschedule his Dec. 17 and 18 shows. “Today has been a really rough day. I was about to go to the airport to fly to Chicago … and I’ve been feeling like I’ve had a cold or something the last few days,” he shared in an Instagram video. “When I went to go check one last time to see if it wasn’t COVID or something, and unfortunately, it turns out I have COVID.”
Evanescence
The band announced Dec. 12 that its Dec. 20 Cincinnati show had to be postponed due to COVID-19. The next day, Evanescence told fans that the remaining dates of 2021 would also have to be delayed. “We’ve done everything we could to try and make it work but with multiple positive Covid tests in our touring party it just wouldn’t be right to continue the show schedule as is,” they shared on Instagram. “We are all vaccinated and nobody’s symptoms are severe, we are very grateful for that.”
Lil Nas X and Coldplay
Both acts dropped out of the U.K.’s Jingle Ball event after members of their camps tested positive, host Capital FM announced on Dec. 11. “Both acts have had members of their teams test positive for COVID-19 and therefore are not able to perform,” said the statement. “We’d like to wish the very best and a speedy recovery to Coldplay, Lil Nas X and their teams.”
Doja Cat
Hours before NYC’s Jingle Ball on Dec. 10, the pop star announced that she had to cancel her New York and Boston appearances for the event. “We recently learned that a few members on my production team have tested positive for Covid 19 and are now on quarantine,” she explained on Twitter. “For the health and wellbeing of the rest of our crew, we are following all the appropriate safety measurements and necessary precautions.”
Dan + Shay
The duo canceled two November dates in Orlando and Atlanta after a member of their camp tested positive. “A member of our immediate touring party has tested positive for COVID-19 and to protect the safety of our fans and everyone around us, we will sadly have to cancel the upcoming dates in Orlando and Atlanta,” the two said in a social media post.
Jon Bon Jovi
The veteran rocker had to cancel an Oct. 30 show after testing positive for COVID-19. His publicist told Billboard at the time that Bon Jovi was “fully vaccinated and feeling fine.”
Travis Tritt
The country performer canceled a series of shows in October not due to any positive COVID-19 tests, but because of vaccine and testing mandates. “I totally disagree with any mandate that would force people to go against their better judgement or would attack their personal freedoms. That’s why I am making this stand,” Tritt told Billboard at the time. “And I know, straight up, it’s definitely gonna cost me money and that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band canceled four Comeback Tour dates, as lead singer Zac Brown revealed he tested positive for COVID-19. Brown announced the news Sept. 28 via an Instagram post. “I am deeply disappointed this has happened, as touring is our life and performing live for our fans is the best part of our job. The bottom line is that I want to take every precaution to put the health and safety of our fans and crew first.”
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
On Sept. 21, Jett posted a message to social media that her last show of 2021 would be held Sept. 28. “The continuing surge of COVID cases due to the Delta variant should be of concert to all of us. While we are fully vaccinated, we are still being extremely cautious to protect our fans, our crew and everyone else that work so hard to put on our shows,” the band said in a statement. “For that reason, we have decided to postpone the remaining performances that were planned for 2021.”
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys announced on social media Friday (Sept. 10) that their upcoming holiday-themed Las Vegas residency is canceled, citing COVID-19-related restrictions. The 12-show run, dubbed A Very Backstreet Christmas Party, at Zappos Theater inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino was scheduled for November and December. Ticket refunds for the shows will be issued automatically at the point of purchase. The residency was set to arrive three years after the band’s record-shattering Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life residency at the Zappos Theater, which grossed $34.4 million, according to Billboard Boxscore.
Bush and Stone Temple Pilots
On Sept. 10, Bush posted the news that their set of co-headlining tour dates with Stone Temple Pilots’ had been called off “due to unfortunate and unavoidable COVID-related circumstances.” While Bush announced they would be “unable to move forward with our planned fall tour dates,” STP clarified that their own headlining tour dates, beginning on Oct. 17, were currently “still on.”
Kiss
Kiss announced Aug. 26 that their End of the Road Tour stop scheduled just outside Pittsburgh that night had been canceled after lead vocalist Paul Stanley tested positive for COVID. “Tonight’s #KISS show at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, PA is unfortunately postponed due to Paul Stanley testing positive for COVID,” the band tweeted, adding that “Everyone on the entire tour, both band and crew, are fully vaccinated.” Days later, on Aug. 31, the band postponed four additional dates after bassist Gene Simmons tested positive.
Pixies
Pixies announced Aug. 23 that they were canceling their September tour. “We have determined with the current surge in COVID cases — made worse by the Delta variant — that this is the right decision for our fans and crew members’ safety, as well as our own,” a statement from the band reads. “We ask that our fans stay safe and healthy and we hope to see you all soon.”
Florida Georgia Line
The country act announced Aug. 20 that they were nixing their Love My Country arena and amphitheater tour. ““We were hopeful we could get back on the road this fall, and are so bummed to have to cancel this tour, but we know in our hearts that we still have to make sure we’re keeping our fans and crew safe,” Tyler Hubbard said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate that we have to cancel but we hope y’all understand.”
BTS
The K-pop superstars’ label announced on Aug. 20 that the group’s world tour had been nixed because of the ongoing pandemic. “Due to changing circumstances beyond our control, it has become difficult to resume performances at the same scale and timeline as previously planned,” Hybe said in a statement. “Therefore we must announce the cancellation of the BTS Map of the Soul Tour.”
Alan Parsons
The Grammy-winning musician announced Aug. 20 that his U.S. tour would be postponed due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. “Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my band, crew, the concert staff, and most importantly of course, you — the fans,” he explained in a statement. “This has been a very difficult and devastating decision — we were so thrilled to be returning to the stage for the first time in over a year and a half. The world could use more music right now, however, it just isn’t safe yet for us to come together indoors for events like concerts.”
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails announced Aug. 19 they will not return to the stage in 2021. “When originally planned, these shows were intended to be a cathartic and celebratory return to live music,” a statement from the band reads. However, with each passing day it’s becoming more apparent we’re not at that place yet.”
Garth Brooks
Citing concerns about the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, Garth Brooks announced Aug. 18 he was canceling the next five cities on his stadium tour a month after he had returned to the road. The five concert locations being canceled are Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati (Sept. 18), Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (Sept. 25), M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore (Oct. 2), Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Oct.9), and Nissan Stadium in Nashville, which has not been rescheduled after being rained out last month.
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Bluesfest
Australia’s Bluesfest was rescheduled again on Aug. 18, due to outbreaks of the highly infectious delta variant in New South Wales and elsewhere. Bluesfest will now happen April 15-18, 2022, at its regular site on Byron Events Farm.
Korn
Korn were forced to move around or cancel some of the dates on their summer tour after singer Jonathan Davis tested positive for COVID-19, the band announced Aug. 17. “We really appreciate your patience as we work out the next steps for our tour,” the band wrote in an Instagram post featuring the new dates.
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett was slated to play shows in New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Arizona, Oklahoma and Canada in the fall and winter, but the 95-year-old singer instead announced his retirement from touring on Aug. 13, following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2016.
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks announced Aug. 10 that she will no longer tour for the rest of 2021 due to rising COVID-19 cases across the U.S. She was previously slated to perform at the Jazz Aspen Festival in Colorado and BottleRock Napa Valley in California over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3-5) and both weekends of Austin City Limits in Texas (Oct. 1-3 and Oct. 8-10).
Limp Bizkit
On Aug. 9, ’90s nu-metal band Limp Bizkit‘s announced the decision to pull the plug on their Limited Last Minute Post Pandemic Popup Party Edition tour. “We are all in this together, and we all — individually and as a whole — have to make our best efforts to be as responsible and proactive as possible moving forward to combat and stop spreading COVID,” frontman Fred Durst said in an interview with Billboard.
New Orleans Jazz Fest
Organizers of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival — which was scheduled to take place over two weekends from Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 15-17 — announced the event’s cancellation on Aug. 8, citing safety and health concerns related to COVID-19.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
On Aug. 7, Lynyrd Skynyrd pulled out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame concert (set for Aug. 9) after guitarist Rickey Medlocke tested positive for COVID-19. The band also suspended shows in Jackson, Mississippi; Atlanta; and Cullman, Alabama, with the Aug. 13 show in Atlanta rescheduled for Oct. 23.
Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé announced Aug. 6 that he was postposing 10 tour dates — scheduled between Aug. 13 and 28 — to October. “I do not want to put my fans at risk, nor my band and crew, by putting them in a situation that could possibly affect their health and therefore their friends and family,” Bublé said in a statement.
Movement Detroit
After canceling their planned electronic music event in May, Movement Detroit announced Aug. 2 that there won’t be a rescheduled festival until 2022.
Bigsound Conference and Music Fest
The 2021 edition of the Bigsound Conference and Music Festival was canceled July 19 due to the lockdown measures currently in place across Australia. The event — set for Sept. 7-9 — had announced a lineup of speakers including punk rock legend Henry Rollins and #MeToo founder Tarana Burke.
Dierks Bentley Seven Peaks Festival
Dierks Bentley’s Seven Peaks Music Festival was canceled July 9 “due to current capacity restrictions in place by local health officials,” organizers announced. However, officials in Chaffee County, Colorado, claim the festival failed to obtain permit approval in advance of selling tickets.
Deftones & Gojira
On July 9, Deftones and Gojira announced rescheduled dates for their planned 2021 tour, which was supposed to kick off in August. The trek will now start in April 2022.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland organizers announced June 23 that they were canceling the 2021 fest after local officials denied a permit to hold the two-weekend event in Boom, Belgium, which typically draws up to 75,000 visitors a day over its six days.
Roskilde Festival
The 2021 edition of Roskilde Festival, one of Europe’s premier summer music fests, was scrapped on May 4. This year’s outdoor event was booked across eight days from June 26 to July 3, with a lineup featuring The Strokes, Tyler, The Creator, Faith No More, Haim, DaBaby, Deftones, Doja Cat, Fontaines D.C., Megan Thee Stallion and many more.
Burning Man
Burning Man was canceled for 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and instead plans to return in 2022, the organization announced April 27. The event would have been held the week before Labor Day in Black Rock City, Nevada.
Rage Against the Machine & Run the Jewels
Rage Against the Machine and Run the Jewels had a PSA for concertgoers on April 8: Their Public Service Announcement Tour has been postponed until next spring.
Roger Waters
On April 8, new summer 2022 dates were announced for Roger Waters’ This Is Not a Drill tour, which was originally scheduled to kick off in July 2020, but was waylaid by the global pandemic.
BST Hyde Park
London’s BST Hyde Park festival was canceled on March 30. Duran Duran and Pearl Jam were both set to headline and organizers said they will return for the 2022 event.
Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park
Germany’s Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park was postponed (again), this time to 2022, on March 10. “We’re sorry to announce today that, just like last year, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park 2021 will have to be canceled due to COVID-19,” organizers said in a statement. In May, it was announced that Green Day and Volbeat will lead the 2022 lineup.
Cincinnati Music Festival
On March 8, Cincinnati Music Festival organizers decided to postpone the July 22-24-scheduled event until next year, to July 21-23, 2022. The festival was also postponed in 2020.
Primavera Sound
The 2021 Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona — set for June 2-6 — was canceled on March 2. The 20th-anniversary edition was set to feature headline sets from The Jesus and Mary Chain, Tame Impala, Massive Attack, Pavement, The Strokes, The National, Beck, Tyler, the Creator, Gorillaz, Bad Bunny and more.
CMA Fest
For the second year in a row, on March 2, the Country Music Association canceled CMA Fest, its annual June four-day event that takes over many Nashville venues, including Nissan Stadium, due to COVID-19. The fest is slated to return in 2022.
Lightning in a Bottle
Lightning in a Bottle organizers The Do Lab announced March 1 that the longstanding California festival, which takes place annually on Memorial Day weekend, was canceled for 2021.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift canceled her Lover Fest shows on Feb. 26. Originally announced in the fall of 2019, following the release of her seventh studio album Lover, Lover Fest was set to include 12 dates across the globe, including two-night stints in Southern California — set to be the first-ever concert at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium — and outside Boston, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Aerosmith
On Feb. 23, Aerosmith once again rescheduled their 50th-anniversary European tour, originally set to start in June 2020 and then rescheduled to 2021, to new dates in 2022. “Due to current conditions and for the safety of our fans, the 2021 European Tour has been rescheduled to 2022,” the band said in a statement.
Boston Calling
The Boston Calling Music Festival was canceled for a second year in a row on Feb. 22. “After exploring all possible options for hosting Boston Calling this year, we have made the difficult decision in conjunction with local and state authorities to cancel the 2021 festival,” organizers said.
Houston Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo canceled all of its entertainment events for 2021 on Feb. 3. The cancellation included the RODEOHOUSTON competitions, concerts and entertainment, carnival, and other attractions and activities, which had been rescheduled for May 4-23 due to the ongoing pandemic.
Coachella & Stagecoach
The planned April 2021 return of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach country music festival were canceled on Jan. 29. Both will return in April 2022. Planned Coachella headliners Travis Scott and Rage Against the Machine are set to return in 2022, with a third headliner to be announced, while the full Stagecoach lineup has been announced here.
Halsey
Halsey officially called off her long-postponed Manic World Tour on Jan. 24. “Safety is the priority. I wish things were different,” the singer captioned a screenshot of the announcement. “I love you. Dreaming of seeing your faces again.”
Ultra Music Festival
Organizers of the Ultra Music Festival requested that City of Miami officials approve their permit request to stage the event next year before making a formal cancellation announcement for 2021, according to a letter obtained by Billboard on Jan. 21. In May, organizers announced an agreement to settle tensions with the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, which will no longer seek to remove the event from Bayfront Park.
Glastonbury
The organizers of England’s Glastonbury Festival announced Jan. 21 that this year’s event has been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The 50th anniversary of the British festival was due to be held in June 2020, with Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney among the planned headline acts, alongside Kendrick Lamar, Diana Ross, Lana Del Rey, Haim, Dizzee Rascal, Pet Shop Boys and Thom Yorke.
C2C: Country to Country Festival
C2C: Country to Country Festival, which features top-name country artists appearing over three days in London, Dublin and Glasgow, announced Jan. 21 that it was pulling the plug on this year’s edition, slated for March 12-14.
The 1975
The 1975 announced Jan. 12 that they have canceled all their 2021 shows out of an abundance of caution. “We are really sorry to announce that we have made the decision to cancel all scheduled touring for 2021,” said the band in a statement.
Bunbury Festival
The Cincinnati festival canceled its event a second time on Jan. 11, after missing the 2020 installment as well. “Canceling once, let alone twice, is the last thing we want to do,” organizers said in a statement.
