In early 2023, Justin Bieber announced that he would be canceling several shows on his Justice World Tour, including two shows scheduled for South Africa. Bieber’s decision to cancel his South Africa concerts left many fans disappointed and wondering why he decided not to perform. There are a few potential reasons behind Bieber’s choice to withdraw from the South African leg of his tour.
Justin Bieber’s Health Issues
In June 2022, Bieber revealed that he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a condition that caused partial facial paralysis. This diagnosis forced Bieber to postpone several shows on his Justice Tour while he focused on recovery. Though Bieber eventually resumed touring, his health issues have continued to impact his ability to perform. Bieber has been open about the toll touring takes on his physical and mental health. His ongoing health struggles may be part of the reason he decided not to push forward with the demanding South Africa shows.
Logistical and Scheduling Challenges
Touring an artist internationally comes with significant logistical complexity. Bieber’s team may have determined that the costs, planning, and effort required to coordinate the South Africa concerts were prohibitively complicated. Factors like securing venues, organizing equipment transportation, booking hotels, acquiring visas, hiring local crews, and arranging security and transportation are exponentially harder when shows are overseas. If Bieber’s team felt they did not have the bandwidth or resources to pull off the shows up to their standards, it may have made sense to cancel.
Low Ticket Sales
While Bieber enjoys a global fanbase, his popularity is not consistent across all areas. According to reports at the time, ticket sales for the South Africa shows were fairly low. Only one of the two concerts had sold out, with the other still having plenty of availability close to the show date. Poor ticket sales may have contributed to the decision to scrap the South Africa dates. It can be difficult for an artist to justify traveling internationally for shows that will not draw large crowds or sell out venues. Cutting their losses on soft ticket sales is a reasonable consideration.
Justin Bieber’s Explanation
When Bieber announced the cancellation of the South Africa shows, he did not provide explicit details about what prompted the decision. However, his social media posts offered some hints regarding his reasons.
Need to Recover and Rest
In an Instagram story, Bieber told fans: “After resting and consulting with doctors, family and team, I went to Europe in an effort to continue with the tour. I performed six live shows, but it took a real toll on me. This past weekend I performed at Rock in Rio and I gave everything I have to the people in Brazil.”
This statement indicates that Bieber was still struggling with health and stamina issues, making an international trip and energy-intensive live shows difficult. South Africa was meant to directly follow his demanding Brazilian engagement at Rock in Rio. Bieber has been open about the need to pace himself and recognize when his body needs recovery. His mention of “resting” and the “toll” from previous performances hints that fatigue was a factor in canceling South Africa.
Focus on Mental Health Treatment
Bieber also told fans after canceling South Africa: “After getting off stage, the exhaustion overtook me and I realized that I need to make my health the priority right now. So I’m going to take a break from touring for the time being. I’m going to be ok, but I need time to rest and get better.”
Here, Bieber points again to exhaustion but also notes a need to focus on his mental health treatment. Touring rigorously for months on end requires incredible stamina. The physical and emotional vulnerability of live performance can intensify mental health symptoms. Bieber has been candid about his struggles with depression, anxiety, and the effects of early fame. His choice to take a step back from touring to focus on his health treatment plan aligns with his pattern of being intentional about his wellbeing.
Desire to Deliver His Best Work
Bieber concluded his message to fans by saying: “I know you guys are disappointed, but I promise I will come back with a better show.” This statement reveals Bieber’s awareness that cancelling would disappoint his supporters. However, he prioritized not pushing himself to the point that his performances would suffer. Bieber has prided himself on delivering energetic, high-production value concerts for his fans. If he did not feel he could match that standard in South Africa, withdrawing from those dates was a reasonable decision.
Impact on South African Fans
While understandable from Bieber’s perspective, the canceled South Africa shows had a significant impact on his fans in the region.
Disappointment and Frustration
Many South African fans expressed disappointment and frustration at missing their chance to see Bieber live. South Africa was the only African nation included on the Justice World Tour. Local supporters felt disadvantaged by the last-minute cancellation. They had anticipated the highly-publicized shows for months and spent time and money preparing for Bieber’s arrival. Canceling just days before deprived them of a highly-anticipated experience.
Logistical Disruptions
Beyond just disappointment, the cancellation created logistical problems for some fans. Those who booked travel and accommodations to attend the shows lost money on non-refundable plans. Other disruptions included wasted PTO from work, forfeited childcare arrangements, and lost time spent planning the concerts. Fans outside Johannesburg missed opportunities to come into the city for the events. The abrupt change left many supporters scrambling.
Uncertainty About Bieber’s Return
Bieber has expressed that he intends to return to complete the canceled shows in the future when he is healthy. However, fans understandably feel uncertain about if or when Bieber will actually reschedule the South Africa dates. International artists visiting the country is relatively rare. Many are left doubtful that the postponed concerts will ever happen. That lingering uncertainty has amplified the frustration over the cancellation.
City | Venue | Original Date |
---|---|---|
Cape Town | DHL Stadium | September 28, 2022 |
Johannesburg | FNB Stadium | October 1, 2022 |
Future Impact on Bieber’s Tours
Bieber’s choice to cancel shows in South Africa will likely have ripple effects on decisions about his touring plans moving forward.
More Cautious Scheduling
Now knowing firsthand the disruptions caused by having to postpone or cancel dates, Bieber will likely take a more cautious approach when mapping out future tours. He may block out more generous time for breaks and recovery between shows. His team may also be more selective about committing to concerts far in advance without contingency plans. Avoiding an overpacked schedule could reduce the need for cancelations.
Selection of Less Demanding Venues
Stadium shows like the ones planned for South Africa require incredible stamina for an artist to command. The massive crowds and production needs also elevate stress. Following this experience, Bieber may opt for smaller, more low-key venues when planning future legs of his tour. Prioritizing more intimate shows could help maintain his health and enjoyment while reducing the scale of disruptions required if he needs to postpone.
Incorporation of Regular Health Check-Ins
To avoid having to abruptly scrap sections of tours in the future, Bieber may also institute more rigorous health protocols for himself while on the road. This could involve regular medical check-ups, therapy sessions, vocal rest days, enforced time for physical recovery, and other support systems. Structured health check-ins could flag issues before they require tour cancellations. Bieber has proven his willingness to be adaptive to preserve his wellbeing.
Conclusion
Justin Bieber’s decision to cancel his South Africa tour dates stemmed from a confluence of factors related to his health struggles and the logistics required for international concerts. Though dissatisfaction among South African fans was inevitable, Bieber determined that pushing forward would have compromised his ability to deliver the caliber of performance his supporters deserve. Looking ahead, he will likely take a more cautious approach to touring that accounts for his health needs and prevents last-minute show cancellations whenever possible. Bieber remains devoted to his fans, but has matured in knowing when self-care has to come first, even it means breaking promises. His choice underscores the challenges of being a touring artist and maintaining mental and physical wellness simultaneously.