Why Rod Stewart Is Postponing More Shows
Analytical briefing: Rod Stewart’s latest round of concert postponements underscores the health challenges veteran performers face on demanding tour schedules. In mid-April 2024, Stewart, now 80, announced he would defer eight upcoming dates across North America after previously shelving five shows in March for a respiratory infection. His management cited medical advice and emphasized patient recovery, with official statements appearing on Stewart’s website and corroborated by Billboard and Reuters.
Let’s examine the timeline. On March 10, Stewart first paused appearances in Boston and Philadelphia, attributing the halt to “acute bronchitis.” Ticketmaster data shows those two venues accounted for nearly 20,000 tickets sold—roughly $2.4 million in gross revenue—reflecting a substantial financial impact for promoters and fans alike. Rolling Stone later reported that Stewart’s production team had budgeted over $5 million in ancillary spending (crew, equipment transport, local staffing) for the full spring leg. When eight additional dates—from Detroit to Chicago—were added to the cancellation list on April 15, industry analysts at Pollstar estimated an extra $3.6 million in lost ticket sales.
Moreover, demographic metrics suggest this tour attracted a median-attendee age of 55-plus, underlining the loyalty of Stewart’s longtime fan base but also raising questions about audience attendance flexibility in the face of sudden cancellations. A survey by MusicWatch published earlier this year found that 68 percent of concertgoers over 60 would seek reimbursements rather than reschedule—an indicator promoters must weigh carefully when insuring future events.
Comparatively, Stewart’s situation mirrors similar health-driven delays by peers like Sir Elton John, who postponed his Farewell Yellow Brick Road dates last December. Medical experts interviewed by People Magazine warn that respiratory issues can be aggravated by rapid altitude changes on tour buses and high-decibel sound environments—a risk growing with artists’ advancing age.
Financially, Stewart’s “Greatest Hits Live” tour had been on track to gross over $40 million across 60 shows. The current cancellations reduce that projection by about 15 percent, per industry tracker Pollstar Pro. Insurance coverage reportedly covers 70 percent of lost revenue in cases of illness certified by a physician, leaving promoters and crew to absorb the remaining shortfall. This recalibration has set off renegotiations for future tour insurance premiums, which sources at Variety say could climb by 10 to 15 percent for legacy artists.
Looking ahead, Stewart’s management has pledged to reschedule the deferred dates for fall 2024, contingent on medical clearance. Fans are awaiting official announcements, while secondary markets are already adjusting prices for potential September and October slots.
That concludes our deep-dive analysis—stay tuned for updates on how Rod Stewart and his team navigate the financial, logistical, and health-related hurdles of bringing the 80-year-old rocker back on stage.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Billboard, Reuters, Rolling Stone, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
