Features
Changes: Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Willie Nelson, Backstreet Boys
Elton John has added to his epic ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ Tour … Ed Sheeran isn’t done with North America yet, adding a final round of stadium shows to his 2018 routing … Health concerns have prompted Willie Nelson to cancel his February dates … Backstreet Boys have extended their stay in Las Vegas.
– Elton John
Farewell Yellow Brick Road
Elton John has added U.S. dates to his humungous farewell tour taking place over the coming years.
The new dates include multiple nights at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., Feb. 15-16, 2019; and Target Center in Minneapolis Feb. 21-22, 2019. Most of the other new dates stick to the regional Northeast and South, including New York, Boston, New Jersey, the Carolinas and two nights in Florida.
Rocket Club members get access to a presale Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. and the general public gets an onsale Feb. 16.
This leg is only one of Elton’s multiple stops through North America on his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour and, if history is any indicator, this trek is likely to be big business for a long time.
Ed Sheeran. Stadiums. Need we say more?
John Davisson – Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran makes a stop at 99.7 Now! Poptopia at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., Dec. 2.
The routing for the final leg of his “÷” tour was already set to include massive North American stadiums, but the superstar decided to tack on one more round of additions, which he is promising will be his last.
The new dates are peppered throughout his North American routing from August to October. The first addition is Aug. 21 in San Francisco’s AT&T Park. After that there are second nights at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., and MetLife Stadium in Easter Rutherford, N.J., and new venues in Detroit’s Ford Field and Pittsburgh’s PNC Park in September.
October also has new venues in Chicago’s Soldier Field, Nashville’s Nissan Stadium and Milwaukee’s Miller Park.
Registration for the presale closes Feb. 8 at 10 p.m. Eastern time. Presales open Feb. 12 and the general onsale begins Feb. 16 at 10 a.m.
Willie Nelson has axed his February dates due to health concerns.
John Davisson – Willie Nelson
SXSW, Austin, TX
“He is up and about and looks as healthy as ever but his doctor has determined that his voice needs more time to recuperate to give the performances you all love seeing. Willie will resume the tour in early March. Willie Nelson says, ‘I will see you all down the road,’” Willie Nelson’s repstold Variety.
He was scheduled to play throughout the regional south this month, with most of his gigs scheduled in Florida.
Nelson was sidelined by illness in January, after completing only one song at Jan. 6 gig in the San Diego market. His son Lukas Nelson later explained he had the flu.
Willie’s next scheduled gig is now at Peace Center Concert Hall in Greenville, S.C., March 5.
Backstreet’s Back! The boy band Backstreet Boys may now be comprised of fully grown men, but the verdict is in, and they are extending their residency at The Axis at Planet Hollywood into 2018.
– Backstreet Boys
The group already had shows scheduled to start Feb. 7 and the group’s routing now includes Vegas runs in July, August, October and November.
A special presale for fan club members is ongoing now and tickets are available to the public Feb. 9.
The group is poised to have a big 2018, as they are working on a 10th studio album to celebrate 25 years of BSB.
The group also plays Backstreet Boys Cruise this year, which sets sail from Miami May 3.
Other upcoming residences at The Axis at Planet Hollywood include Jennifer Lopez, Lionel Richie, and Pitbull.