My Chemical Romance are the latest group to postpone tour dates as a result of the COVID-19 virus.
The reunited emo rockers announced on Wednesday (March 11) that they were pushing back their planned tour of Japan out of an abundance of caution in the nation that had more than 600 cases as of press time.
“The promoter of our Japan shows suggested that we postpone the shows in Japan for the safety of the public, and we are heeding that advice,” the band said in a statement. “We had very much hoped to have alternate dates confirmed before we announced the postponement, to make sure our fans knew we had every intention of coming back. Somehow, word got out before we could do that. However, please know we are working on rescheduling shows and will try to announce those soon. We are terribly sad to postpone, and even more distressed about what is happening the world over. Take good care and we hope to see you all as soon as possible. Please be good to each other.”
The Japanese tour included an appearance a planned March 29 gig at Download Festival Japan, as well as a show at Intex Osaka on March 28. At press time the group’s tour page still included an upcoming March 20 show at the Download Festival Australia at Ascot Vale on the Melbourne Showgrounds and two other gigs that week in Sydney and Western Springs, New Zealand.
MCR become the latest in an increasingly lengthy list of acts who’ve postponed or canceled shows and tours in response to the coronavirus, which at press time had exploded into 129,185 confirmed cases and resulted in 4,749 deaths, 38 of which occurred in the United States.
For information on how to stay safe and to receive updates on the spread of the disease in the U.S., visit the CDC website.
