"This is a bummer for everyone in the band and crew, to say nothing of the question hanging over everyone’s head - mine included - as to how I tested positive on PCR twice in two months," Mayer said.
Michael Kovac/Getty ImagesJohn Mayer was forced to postpone a slate of shows on his Sob Rock tour after he and several members of his band tested positive for Covid-19. For Mayer, this was his second positive Covid test in nearly as many months; a positive test at the beginning of January forced him to pull out of Dead and Company’s Playing the Sand concerts in Mexico.
“Whelp. More members of the band tested positive for Covid today, and I was one of them,” Mayer wrote on Instagram. “I’m so sorry to make you change your plans. This is a bummer for everyone in the band and crew, to say nothing of the question hanging over everyone’s head – mine included – as to how I tested positive on PCR twice in two months. (The first was extremely mild, but this one’s got the better of me.)”
Mayer has already rescheduled the four shows for May. He’ll be at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on May 5; the UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York on May 7; and then he’ll play two nights at the TD Garden in Boston on May 9 and 10. As it stands, Mayer is set to return to the road March 11 at the Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“We’ll give you everything we’ve got at these upcoming shows, just as soon as we rest up and regroup,” Mayer added on Instagram.
Even before his surprise second positive test, Mayer’s Sob Rock tour was battling Covid issues. On Feb. 21, right before he was set to play Madison Square Garden in New York City, Mayer announced that his touring drummer had tested positive. The show did go ahead as planned, and Questlove actually stepped in for part of the show.
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
