Aerosmith recently announced that they have cancelled their upcoming concert in Detroit, Michigan, disappointing many fans who were looking forward to seeing the legendary rock band perform live. This cancellation has left Aerosmith fans wondering why the show was called off and if it will be rescheduled.
Background on Aerosmith
Formed in Boston in 1970, Aerosmith is considered one of the most successful and enduring rock bands of all time. Often referred to as “The Bad Boys from Boston,” Aerosmith rose to fame in the 1970s with major hits like “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” and “Sweet Emotion.” They went on to become one of the best-selling American rock bands in history, having sold over 150 million records worldwide and winning four Grammy Awards. Even after almost 50 years together, Aerosmith continues to tour and record new music. Their extensive catalog includes 15 studio albums with classic songs that remain in heavy rotation on rock radio today.
The Detroit Concert
Aerosmith was scheduled to perform at Comerica Park in Detroit on July 13, 2023 as part of their 2023 tour. It would have been their first time playing Detroit since 2015. Many fans already had tickets to the show, which was expected to attract large crowds as one of the biggest rock concerts of the summer. The band had not indicated there were any issues with the show or given any prior warning about the cancellation.
Reasons for the Cancellation
While an official reason was not provided, there is speculation around several possible factors that may have led to the last minute cancellation:
Steven Tyler’s Health Issues
In the past few years, lead singer Steven Tyler has had some health problems that led to postponed shows. In 2016, he suffered an undisclosed “medical emergency” that caused the band to cancel some Las Vegas concerts. And in 2019, he relapsed and entered rehab, forcing the group to cancel all their remaining shows that year. It’s possible any new health concerns could have played a role here.
Logistical/Scheduling Challenges
Organizing a major stadium concert involves coordinating many moving parts like production, equipment, staffing, and venue availability. If certain essential elements were not able to come together properly ahead of time, it may have forced the band to make the difficult call to cancel.
Poor Ticket Sales
There is also speculation that sluggish ticket sales and lack of sell outs in some of the cities on the tour so far may have led Aerosmith to re-evaluate the financial viability of doing the Detroit show at this massive venue. Scaling back the concert to a smaller arena could have been an option.
Band Infighting
Rumors have swirled of friction among Aerosmith band members around the direction of the band and disputes over business management. This internal band tension could potentially have boiled over to lead to the cancellation. However, there is no solid evidence to confirm this.
Impact on Fans
The cancellation no doubt left many Aerosmith fans disappointed and inconvenienced. Key impacts include:
Wasted Money and Time
Fans likely spent significant money on travel arrangements like flights and hotels. They also took time off work and made other plans around the concert date. All of that is now wasted with nothing to show for it.
Unfilled Vacation Days
Some fans may have used up vacation days from work allocated for this concert that they can no longer get back. They now lose out on precious vacation time they could have used for something else.
Non-Refundable Expenses
Large portions of the money fans spent on items like airfare and hotel rooms may be non-refundable at this late stage. So most fans are out a lot of cash with no concert to show for it.
No Alternative Show
Since this was the only Michigan concert scheduled on the tour, fans don’t even have the option of seeing the band perform in a nearby city instead. Their only choice is getting a refund on the tickets.
Category | Financial Loss |
---|---|
Concert Tickets | $150 per ticket |
Non-refundable Airfare | $300 roundtrip flight |
Hotel | $200 for 2 nights |
Transportation | $50 rental car |
Food & Entertainment | $100 |
Total | $800 |
This table estimates a sample breakdown of the major expenses a fan might incur for the Detroit concert, totalling around $800. Most of those costs cannot be recovered.
Will the Concert be Rescheduled?
Currently, there is no word from the band on whether they plan to reschedule the Detroit show for a future date. There are a few key factors that may determine if a make-up concert happens:
Remaining Tour Schedule
The band may not have availability to add in a new Detroit concert within the timeline of their ongoing tour. They have over 40 shows still scheduled through early December. Fitting in an additional stadium concert amidst all that could be logistically challenging.
Venue Availability
Comerica Park or another suitable Detroit venue big enough for Aerosmith may not have an opening to host a rescheduled concert for many months out. The venue’s schedule could be booked up with other events.
Band’s Willingness
Ultimately, even if a new date can be arranged, it is up to the band to decide if they want to commit to making up the show. Health problems or internal issues could still derail plans for a return to Detroit.
Fan Demand
If a future concert is arranged, there’s no guarantee all the original ticket buyers will be available or willing to attend on a new date, especially if much delayed. Weak demand could impact Aerosmith’s enthusiasm for returning.
Precedents from Other Artists
Looking at other major concert cancellations suggests that swift rescheduling is not a given:
Guns N’ Roses
Cancelled Philadelphia show in 2016 due to illness. Took 2 years to finally reschedule in 2018.
Elton John
Multiple cancellations on farewell tour for health reasons. Postponed dates rescheduled 6-18 months out.
Ozzy Osbourne
Frequently cancels shows for health issues. Many never get rescheduled at all.
Conclusion
While disappointing for Detroit fans, Aerosmith’s show cancellation remains somewhat mysterious. Health issues or logistical challenges could have played a role, but there is no definitive cause known yet. There is still hope they may reschedule, but the band has not made any announcement to that effect. Based on precedents, fans could be waiting many months or longer for a make-up concert, if one happens at all. Unfortunately this leaves ticket holders in limbo, having lost money and time they cannot recoup. All that can be done for now is monitoring for any updates from the band on if and when they might return to Detroit.