Stones Reschedule Downunder

The new schedule by Frontier Touring, which is presenting in association with AEG Live, has two extra dates — a second show for Perth and a Hope Estate winery date in Hunter Valley. 

The Australian Capital Territory government had unsuccessfully wanted Canberra included as well. \

In addition, the country’s biggest-selling singer, Jimmy Barnes, joins the tour in Adelaide, while the reformed hit band Hunters & Collectors is added for Auckland.

More support acts will be confirmed shortly.

The seven Australian/New Zealand shows – the Stones’ seventh visit here since the mid-1960s – were originally set for March and April.

The band arrived in Perth for its first show March 19 when news of the passing of Mick Jagger’s partner, L’Wren Scott, came through.

The original schedule called for the veteran British rock band to launch the revamped Adelaide Oval on March 22. But the delay meant that the grounds were to be used for the Australian Football League season, which ends late September.

Frontier Touring’s Michael Gudinski declined to address reports that the cancellation would cost A$10 million ($9.36 million). The band returned overseas, and their production was shipped back to the United States to accommodate their European shows.

Gudinski told Australian website Themusic.com.au that recent weeks have been “a horrendous ride for everyone involved, but obviously it’s been most horrendous for Mick himself.”