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Chris Brown, Ghost Inside Cancel Downunder
Two U.S. acts, Chris Brown and The Ghost Inside, pulled out of separate Australia and New Zealand dates a week out.
The Australasian leg of Brown’s One Hell of a Nite World Tour was canceled Dec. 2, according to statements by promoter Castor & Ford Agency and Ticketek. It was to begin Dec. 9 at
“Mr Brown and the promoters both remain positive that the tour will take place in the near future,” said Castor & Ford. “Mr Brown wishes to express his deepest gratitude to the fans for their support and looks forward to a successful tour in the near future.” It is not known if the tour had been denied a visa or if the decision had been Brown’s. In September, Australia’s Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton issued a formal intent to refuse his visa, citing character grounds.
At the time, Australian advocacy group GetUp! began a campaign for Brown to be refused entry over his history of domestic violence. He faces similar bans in the United Kingdom and Canada after charges including a 2009 assault incident involving his then-girlfriend Rhianna.
Brown was given 28 days to explain why he should be allowed to enter Australia – or withdraw the visa application. Tickets still went on sale, with Melbourne-based Castor & Ford convinced the 2015 visit faced no issue as Brown had toured in Australia twice since his convictions.
Without the Australian shows, the New Zealand stop would not have been financially viable. Immigration New Zealand confirmed Dec. 2 Brown “withdrew his application for a work visa to travel to New Zealand. No decision had been made on the application. Any further queries need to be directed to the concert promoter.”
Los Angeles-based metalcore band The Ghost Inside was to be part of the eight-arena Big Ass Tour Dec. 10-19, with 60,000 expected to see headliners Amity Affliction, A Day To Remember and Pennsylvania’s
A statement from Big Ass Tour promoters Live Nation AU/NZ and 24Hundred confirmed medical issues as the reason and that the tour would continue as scheduled.
“We are currently considering options for replacements given the limited time before the tour commences in Auckland next Thursday December 10.”