Rap superstar Drake has announced the cancellation of the remaining four dates of his Australia and New Zealand tour, leaving many fans disappointed and speculating about the reasons behind the abrupt decision. Following his performance at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on February 25, 2024, Drake's representatives confirmed the surprise cancellation mere hours later.
According to Rolling Stone AU/NZ, the official statement from Drake’s camp attributed the cancellation to "scheduling conflicts." They reassured fans, saying, "We are actively working on rescheduling these dates along with adding some additional shows." All tickets for the affected performances remain valid for the new dates. Refunds will also be accessible for those who prefer, but with the note, "...as these shows are sold out, any refunded tickets will be released for sale." This has left many fans anxious about securing their spots when the shows are rescheduled.
The now-cancelled shows were expected to take place at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on March 4, followed by additional performances at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on March 7, and two evenings at Auckland’s Spark Arena on March 15 and 16. The cancellation announcement sent ripples through social media, with many fans having raised concerns for days over the potential early end of the tour.
Drake’s tour, titled the "Anita Max Win Tour," marked his first visit to Australia and New Zealand since 2017. The name stems from his alter ego introduced during his December 2023 livestream, which played on the phrase "I need a max win"—a reference to maximum payouts in gambling. The tour consisted of 16 shows, and Drake has already performed 12 of those, including notable stops such as Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Speculations swirled about the reason for the abrupt end to his Down Under run, with some fans suspecting poor ticket sales to be the cause. Many concert-goers reported availability issues even as some showed resurgence of interest leading up to the cancellation. Neither Ticketek nor Ticketmaster listed any availability shortly before the announcement, causing some confusion. There were whispers on social media of how Drake might have pulled the plug due to underwhelming attendance, countered by many reports of some of the remaining dates nearing sellout.
Earlier this week, as the speculation grew, it was noted by various sources including The Daily Telegraph and local outlets, about the potential of ending the tour early, particularly on the heels of his Brisbane performance. Adding to the buzz, Drake reportedly left Australia on his private jet to Fiji shortly after the announcement, leading to conjecture about his sudden departure.
During his tour, Drake captured headlines not only for his performances but also for surprising acts of generosity. The artist made headlines for lavish gifts to fans, including handing out $20,000 to fans during his time in Perth and treating another group of supporters to $45,000 during their Melbourne show. One lucky pregnant fan was upgraded to VIP status and received $30,000 to assist with her baby preparations. Most recently, he promised to cover the cancer treatment of another fan's mother during his Brisbane show, solidifying his connection with fans through gesture-driven experiences.
Fans were treated to not just music but moments filled with camaraderie and celebration, illustrating the deep rooting of fan interaction during this leg of Drake's career.
Drake had originally planned to draw the curtains on what was anticipated to be one of the concert highlights of his career with the conclusions of the Sydney and Auckland shows. Instead, the early end leaves a backwash of unanswered questions and uncertainty. Alongside this announcement and the staunch support of his loyal fans, many are now eagerly awaiting updates on any rescheduling of the concerts.
Representatives throughout the industry have remained relatively tight-lipped, with venues like the Qudos Bank Arena and Brisbane Entertainment Centre declining to comment. Drake's team stated, "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience." They remain hopeful about returning to Australia and New Zealand soon, emphasizing the enthusiasm they have had working on this tour: "Drake and the entire team have had an incredible time doing these shows and are excited to return soon."
This cancellation has caused quite the stir, particularly as it was anticipated to coincide with the rapper's rivalry with fellow star Kendrick Lamar, especially as their parallels were drawn following Kendrick's own well-publicized Super Bowl Halftime performance wherein he performed his diss anthem "Not Like Us."
Drake’s latest venture and the intertwined theatrics of their rivalry made for ample media coverage, underscoring the pressure and scrutiny faced by artists on such public stages.
For fans, there still lies hope amid the disappointment as they look forward to the forthcoming announcement of rescheduled dates. With hints of more shows to be added to the tour lineup, many are left holding their breath, eager to witness when and where Drake will next bring his large-scale event against this backdrop of fanfare.