Elvis Costello Forced To Cancel Remaining European Dates
Despite this setback, Costello has also revealed his long-awaited new album is set for release in October.
Elvis Costello has been forced to cancel the remaining 6 dates of his current European tour on medical grounds. The influential singer-songwriter’s doctor has strongly advised him to take a break from his current tour itinerary and rest. Ticket holders should go to point of purchase for refunds. Costello apologises to his fans and has released the following statement:
“Six weeks ago my specialist called me and said, “You should start playing the Lotto”. He had rarely, if ever, seen such a small but very aggressive cancerous malignancy that could be defeated by a single surgery. I was elated and relieved that our European summer tour could go ahead.
“Post-surgical guidelines for such surgery, recommend three weeks to four weeks recovery depending on whether you are returning to a desk job or an occupation that involves physical work or travel. It was impossible to judge how this advisory would line up with the demands on a traveling musician, playing 90-minute to 2-hour plus performances on a nightly basis but by the time we reached the Edinburgh Playhouse, I was almost fooled into thinking that normal service had been resumed.”
I have to thank our friends attending last night’s show in Amsterdam and those in Antwerp, Glynde and at Newcastle City Hall for bearing me up,” Costello continued. “The spirit has been more than willing but I have to now accept that it is going to take longer than I would have wished for me to recover my full strength. Therefore, I must reluctantly cancel all the remaining engagements of this tour.
“My apologies go to our ticket holders in Manchester, Pula, Graz, Vienna, Tysnes and Rattvik but I would rather disappoint our friends there by not appearing than in pressing on with a show that is compromised and eventually puts my health at risk.
“My deep thanks go to Pete Thomas, Steve Nieve and Davey Faragher of The Imposters for all their deep friendship, love and support during this upsetting time. Thanks also to Kitten Kuroi and Briana Lee whose beautiful voices have spurred me on to do the singing that I’ve managed, whatever the cost. It goes without saying that there are many others who have worked to get us to the stage and from town to town to whom I am also deeply grateful.
“To leave you with some more optimistic news, The Imposters and I – together with several of our other friends – have made a magnificent new record of which we are truly proud. It will be issued in October, I believe. We will return at the soonest opportunity to play that music and your favourite songs that still make sense to us all.”
The following Elvis Costello & The Imposters dates are affected by the cancellation:
Friday 6 July: Manchester, Castlefield Bowl
Sun 8 July: Croatia, Pula, Pula Arena
Mon 9 July: Austria, Graz, Kasematten – Schlossberguhne
Weds 11 July: Austria, Vienna, Konzerthaus
Sat 14 July: Norway, Tysnes, Tysnesfest Gjesrstad Arena
Mon 16 July: Sweden, Rattvik, Dalhalla.
UK English
