Anxiety about the spread of COVID-19 has forced promoters, venues and bands to cancel or postpone numerous shows in March and beyond. But Thursday’s Lauren Daigle show went on as scheduled.
Postponing Shows: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, which played Founders Fest in 2018, is among many bands whose tours are being affected by coronavirus fears. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERY FROM THURSDAY’S LAUREN DAIGLE CONCERT
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With shows falling like a house of cards, anxiety about the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has jolted the music and concert industry, with promoters Live Nation and AEG today canceling major tours for the rest of the month and numerous bands pulling the plug on upcoming shows.
Even the Grand Rapids Symphony announced this afternoon that it would be “canceling its concerts for the next 30 days in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of our patrons, musicians and staff.”
The symphony cancellations (which you can find online here) include Friday’s performances of “Clara’s Circle of Friends” at St. Cecilia Music Center.
After the mammoth Irish on Ionia outdoor street party announced Wednesday that it would postpone Saturday’s event until August – following Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recommendation that residents avoid gatherings of 100 or more people – many other concert organizers and performers have followed suit, including a sold-out show Friday night starring Dermot Kennedy at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids.
On Stage Thursday: Lauren Daigle at Van Andel Arena. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
Rolling Stone magazine reported that North America’s biggest concert promoters had decided to halt “all large-scale tours in the United States and abroad until April, and asking artists to come home amid coronavirus fears.” Billboard reported that “some select shows will play out over the next few days” but the remainder of March concerts would be postponed.
Earlier in the day, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead announced it was postponing tonight’s concert at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live as well as upcoming shows in Madison and St. Louis due to coronavirus concerns.
Singer Michael Buble revealed he was postponing tour dates from March 17 through April 5, including a March 31 concert at Van Andel Arena.
The Lauren Daigle concert at Van Andel Arena went on as scheduled Thursday night with opener Johnnyswim. Scroll down for a photo gallery.
By early evening on Thursday, a flood of cancellations was added to the roster: Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo has canceled almost all of its shows through April; The Ark in Ann Arbor canceled all shows through April 1 (including Friday’s Trout Steak Revival show); Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer’s Saturday night show at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up will now be rescheduled; Friday night’s “Music at the Museum” show in Grand Haven starring Joshua Davis and Channing & Quinn will now take place on May 1; and all five shows at Holland’s Park Theatre through March 21, including Friday’s “Refuel the Schools” fundraiser, have been scrapped.
Sign of the Times: Fans at Van Andel Arena on Thursday. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
By Friday morning, Dermot Kennedy — scheduled to play a sold-out show at 20 Monroe Live on Friday night — had canceled the remaining shows on his U.S. tour. “Due to circumstances outside of our control, we regret to inform you that Dermot Kennedy has been postponed until further notice,” the venue posted on its website. “Hang on to your tickets, we’ll email you (and post updates here) as soon as a new date is announced.”
In addition, West Ottawa High School’s annual, two-day WO-Stock festival — featuring 19 bands — scheduled for March 20-21 has been canceled.
Numerous other shows – including concerts at several area colleges – also have been canceled. More postponements are expected as the NBA, NHL, NCAA and MLB also have canceled or suspended events across the country.
Read more about Grand Rapids’ venues response to coronavirus concerns in this Local Spins story.
PHOTO GALLERY: Lauren Daigle, Johnnyswim at Van Andel Arena (Thursday)
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek
