Scalpers Spark Disruptions In The Yusuf / Cat Stevens Universe

Blaming scalpers and their “extortionate” prices, Yusuf / Cat Stevens has pulled his New York City engagement off of his touring calendar until further notice. He’s also pushed back his Boston gig and added a Philadelphia stop.

Photo: Charles Sykes / Invision / AP

Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.

In a message posted on his website, Yusuf said he wanted paperless ticketing for every show and blamed a New York law requiring a paper ticket for postponing his Big Apple concert.

Yusuf planned on playing New York’s Beacon Theatre Dec. 7. After the show sold out, tickets started popping up on secondary market outlets where prices rose higher than most monthly mortgage payments.

For example, SeatGeek.com listed three tickets in the orchestra section priced as high as $4,066 each.

“I’m sorry about not being able to now play in NYC but hope to find an opportunity that aligns with my support of this issue in the near future, God willing,” wrote Yusuf. “Looks like the Peace Train is going to arrive at New York a little bit later than expected.”

The sudden hole in the Yusuf / Cat Stevens universe was quickly filled by moving the Dec. 4 show at Boston’s Citi Performing Arts Center to Dec. 7.

But moving Beantown to the date originally planned for New York meant the calendar suddenly had a Dec. 4 opening. That was filled adding the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby., Pa. to the plan. An Amazon pre-order sale begins Sept. 25 and the general onsale launches Sept. 27.

Here’s the revised schedule for North America:

Dec. 1 – Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall
Dec. 4 – Upper Darby, Pa., Tower Theatre (new city!)
Dec. 7 – Boston, Mass., Citi Performing Arts Center (moved from Dec. 4)
Dec. 9 – Chicago, Ill., Chicago Theatre
Dec. 12 – San Francisco, Calif., The Masonic
Dec. 14 – Los Angeles, Calif., Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE

You’re going to want to check out the Yusuf / Cat Stevens website for more information. Just click here.