R&B superstar Usher has unexpectedly scrapped plans for his long-awaited return to Australia. All 12 dates on the singer’s Past Present Future arena tour — which was set to hit Sydney and Melbourne this November and December — have been officially canceled, promoter Live Nation confirmed. The shows would have been Usher’s first concerts in Australia in nearly 14 years, and anticipation was high after tickets went on sale in May. Prices ranged from around AUD $220 for standard seats up to nearly $2,800 for an exclusive VIP meet-and-greet package, prompting some fan buzz about the steep cost. Despite strong interest, an announcement on ticket retailer Ticketek’s site broke the unfortunate news just before the weekend: “The promoter of Usher’s Australian tour regrets to advise that the scheduled shows to take place in November/December will no longer be proceeding.”
No specific reason was given for the sudden cancellation, leaving fans speculating about possible scheduling conflicts or other unforeseen issues. Many ticket holders expressed disappointment on social media, as Usher’s Aussie fanbase had been eagerly awaiting the “Yeah!” hitmaker’s live return. The 44-year-old performer has been riding a career resurgence — including a successful Las Vegas residency and new music on the way — which made the tour’s cancellation all the more surprising. Live Nation stated that all tickets will be refunded and encouraged fans to “stay tuned” for any future Australia tour plans from Usher.
