It hasn’t been a good week for Pink, or her fans, who were both left devastated last night, when the superstar was forced to postpone her Sydney show for the second time.
After counting down 10 months since tickets went on sale last year, the pop princess cancelled her Monday night show after she was admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital, where she spent the night after being diagnosed with a gastric virus.
The 38-year-old international sensation has been battling illness throughout the Australian leg of her Beautiful Trauma world tour, which kicked off in Perth on July 3.
UPDATE: Pink was admitted to hospital in Sydney on Sunday night, suffering from dehydration. She was treated and discharged. She was readmitted to hospital today and diagnosed with a gastric virus. Pink will remain in hospital overnight, continuing her treatment and recovery. pic.twitter.com/YDzt6Aheiy
— Live Nation AUS & NZ (@LiveNationOzNz) August 6, 2018
Pink had already postponed the opening night last Friday of her nine Sydney shows, but went ahead with the Saturday show after receiving criticism from fans and the media, which she responded to in a statement on Instagram, slamming back suggestions that she was taking advantage of fans.
Many fans were already on their way to Qudos Bank Arena in Homebush, western Sydney, yesterday when the announcement came through, just hours before Pink was set to take the stage to a sold-out crowd. Some had travelled from interstate or even overseas for the show.
@Pink we’re so disappointed! We came all the way from Mexico just for today’s show and we learnt in the arena that it had been postponed! My mom, my French friend and I, all the money and efforts for nothing!!! So sad!! We’re leaving Sydney on Thursday
— Hugo Olvera-Vargas (@chemhugh) August 6, 2018
Fans took to Twitter to express their frustration, with many left wondering why they weren’t given more notice, given the Friday show was cancelled more than 24 hours beforehand.
I’m all for her getting better considering she is sick but it’s ridiculous that you can cancel a concert with the door scheduled to open right now! Surely you knew she wasn’t well. Already on the train on the way out there.
— Jie Mapps (@jmapps81) August 6, 2018
2 hours notice and several hundred dollars out of pocket and at 9am u where well.? Not likely! I know your sick but how about cancelling gig sooner and we could get hotel room costs back or flights pic.twitter.com/R0K2EtM3FM
— Donna Jamieson (@DonnaJam28) August 6, 2018
However, many fans quickly jumped to Pink’s defence, with social media flooding with get-well wishes for the pop sensation.
If Pink is having to postpone it’s for a good reason. Aussies know she comes and gives 100%. Nothing but love,respect and wishing her a speedy recovery (for our unofficial Aussie) .
— Leanne Graham (@aliboo05) August 6, 2018
Y’all need to stop with the complaining. She is only human and I’m sure we have all been there before. All states are different humidities and temps which can play the body in the way we feel. When she does the concert, she’ll be at her best! Take it easy and rest up @Pink ! xx
— Nicole Rich-Pedrina (@nickerz_2011) August 6, 2018
Phoenix Entertainment, an Australian events agency, said that while such cancellations were always disappointing for fans, it was important for performers to make these short-term sacrifices, to avoid potentially being out of action for several months.
A spokesperson for the agency said that while performers take endless precautions to avoid being sick, life on the road is incredibly tough and these things do happen.
“Pink is a human being – how would you feel exercising for 90 minutes without a break? Her performances are intense.”
It was important for performers and their promoters to have insurance policies and media strategies in place to deal with these issues when they occurred, Phoenix added.
Hatch asked US singer/songwriter Colton Avery for his perspective on the drama. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: As a musician yourself, what do you think would be going through Pink’s head at this time?
A: I think Pink’s crushed. As a musician, the last thing you want is to cancel a show. And she’s not the type to cancel shows too often, so I’m sure she’s crushed.
Q: How hard is it to balance putting on a great show for your fans and taking care of your health?
A: I think the only thing that gets hard is keeping yourself healthy with all the traveling. As far as putting on a good show, that gets routine, and adrenaline can usually push you through. But the travel is what can catch up with you. We’re on planes, trains and all that 24/7, so it can be easy to get sick.
Q: During the planning process of a tour, are there any contingencies put in place for when these things happen? With tickets going on sale so far in advance nowadays, do you think this makes it harder or puts more pressure on musicians?
A: No one really plans for someone to get sick, so it’s always just a matter of how soon can there be a reschedule for the gig. I don’t think it makes it harder; it just is what it is.
Q: What would you say to her fans who are making negative comments about the cancellations?
A: I think it’s all out of misunderstanding. I’m sure Pink wouldn’t cancel unless she really had to. It’ll all be good, though – you know how social media gets.
Q: Have you ever had a similar experience and how did you handle it?
A: Yeah, I’ve been sick for a couple of shows, but I haven’t had to cancel, luckily, I just pushed through. I was dying during the shows I played sick, but luckily I have not been in that situation just yet.
Tour promoter Live Nation has yet to announce a date for the rescheduled shows, and fans have been told they can request a refund if they are unable to attend on the new dates.
Pink is expected to be released from hospital today, but has already cancelled tonight’s show. It’s unclear when the tour will resume, with fans urged to keep an eye out for updates – @taylaobrien13