Tour Disruption Confirmed
Drake has officially cancelled the remaining dates of his Australia and New Zealand tour. The Canadian rapper was set to perform in Brisbane on March 4, Sydney on March 7, and two shows in Auckland on March 15 and 16.
Figure 1: Drake cancels remaining shows of Anita Max Win tour of Australia and New Zealand, after performing in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. [Image:Prince Williams/Wireimage]
A spokesperson for Drake confirmed the cancellation, citing a “scheduling conflict.” The statement, shared with Rolling Stone, assured fans that efforts are underway to reschedule the dates.
Official Statement and Refund Details
Drake’s team released a statement addressing the affected shows.
“We are actively working on rescheduling these dates along with adding some additional shows,” a spokesperson said.
“All tickets for the affected shows will remain valid for the new dates. Refunds will be available for those who prefer, but please note that as these shows are sold out, any refunded tickets will be released for sale.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. Drake and the entire team have had an incredible time doing these shows and are excited to return soon.
“We look forward to sharing the rescheduled dates with you as soon as possible.”
Also Read: Michael Hill CEO Daniel Bracken Passes Away at 57 After Medical Treatment Reaction
Ticket holders can retain their tickets for the rescheduled concerts or request refunds. Ticketek has advised customers that rescheduled dates will be announced soon.
Speculation Surrounding the Cancellations
Reports emerged suggesting the rapper’s tour equipment, including a signature clear stage walkway, is being transported to Europe. The Courier Mail reported that the staging setup would be shipped later this week.
While official sources cite a scheduling conflict, fans have speculated about other possible reasons. Earlier in the week, ticketing sites showed limited availability for Drake’s shows. However, fans on Reddit claimed that large numbers of tickets were still available before being marked as sold out.
One fan observed a sudden change in availability.
“All the shows had tons of tickets left and then were randomly marked as no availability,” the fan posted.
Another mentioned similar observations regarding the Brisbane concert.
“Even yesterday, it was showing as having at least 20 sections with tickets still available across all price categories. This morning? Absolutely nothing.”
Drake’s Presence in Australia and Tour History
Drake arrived in Australia in early February for the Anita Max Win tour. The tour kicked off on February 4 and included performances in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
A clip from Drake’s Brisbane Concert:
Drake offers to pay the full cancer treatment for a fan’s mother in Brisbane ❤️
“Whatever you need for your mother’s cancer treatment, I’ll take care of everything. I promise you.” pic.twitter.com/CLqwNxlmvp
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) February 25, 2025
The cancelled Brisbane show was set to be his third in the city, while Sydney was scheduled for a fifth concert. The Auckland shows had previously been rescheduled in January, also due to a “scheduling conflict.”
This marked Drake’s first tour in Oceania since 2017.
Impact of the Kendrick Lamar Feud
Drake’s tour followed his high-profile feud with Kendrick Lamar, which intensified in 2024. Lamar’s track Not Like Us, released in May, dominated charts globally and escalated the rivalry.
- Not Like Us reached number one in nine countries, including Australia, the United States, and Canada.
- The track secured five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
- Lamar performed the song during the Super Bowl halftime show in February.
Drake responded by filing a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) in January. The lawsuit accused UMG of defamation and harassment over the song’s allegations.
“A campaign to create a viral hit” was how Drake’s lawsuit described the record label’s role.
UMG dismissed the claims, calling them “illogical and untrue.” The lawsuit remains ongoing.
Drake’s Response and New Music
Drake acknowledged the ongoing feud during his Perth concert. He arrived on stage wearing a black hoodie with bullet holes and smoke effects.
While on tour in Australia, Drake released new music. His collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, with PARTYNEXTDOOR, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 charts.
- The album knocked Lamar’s post-feud album GNX off the top spot.
- Several tracks contained references to Lamar.
Future Tour Plans
Drake’s team has assured fans that the Anita Max Win tour will resume with rescheduled dates. The updated schedule is expected to be announced soon.
For now, Australian and New Zealand fans await further updates on the postponed shows.
