Usher can’t Get Wit It: why his tour cancellation won’t rock Australia’s boat

• Fading R&B star Usher has cancelled his tour of Australia.
• Dates were added “due to demand”.
• We don’t know why the “You make me Wanna” star was so disrespectful to Aussie fans.

The Australian music scene is never dull, and this November and December will see an extraordinary parade of global superstars.

Our very own rock titans, AC/DC, are not just selling tickets; they’re obliterating records, moving over 320,000 tickets in a single day for their “POWER UP” tour, marking Ticketek’s largest tour on-sale day in its 40-plus year history.

Lewis Capaldi is bringing his much-anticipated tour Down Under, and Sydney alone is bracing for a deluge of major acts including Tyler, The Creator, Paul Kelly, James Blunt, Oasis, Metallica, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and even legendary acts like Justice and Franz Ferdinand. The sheer volume of talent heading our way is undeniable.  

But there will be one name absent. R&B superstar Usher abruptly cancelled his entire 2025 Australian tour, including multiple shows in Melbourne and Sydney that had even seen additional dates added due to what was claimed as “overwhelming demand”.

This cancellation, while undoubtedly a disappointment for legions of fans and a ripple through the industry, should not, for a moment, diminish the vibrant, resilient, and increasingly robust state of Australia’s music scene.

Usher’s defection is a blip, not a blackout, in what promises to be a landmark year for Australian music.  Does anybody care?

Usher – You Make Me Wanna say your day is done.

The Global Stage is Set, and Australia is Rocking

Beyond AC/DC’s earth-shattering ticket sales, the latter half of 2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster. Lewis Capaldi’s tour spans major cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. The sheer breadth of international and local talent confirmed for our shores is staggering.

Sydney’s major venues like Accor Stadium, Qudos Bank Arena, the Sydney Opera House, and the ICC Sydney Theatre are booked solid with a diverse array of artists.

The raw energy of Metallica, the eclectic sounds of Tyler, The Creator, and the enduring appeal of Paul Kelly and James Blunt, there’s a concert for every taste. This influx of high-calibre acts underscores Australia’s undeniable appeal as a global touring destination.  

Four-time Grammy Award winner Lenny Kravitz is set to ignite stages across the country with his praised Blue Electric Light Tour 2025.

Usher a minor dischord

The news of Usher’s cancellation, particularly after additional shows were added due to high demand, certainly “shook the music industry”. It left fans scrambling for refunds and promoters facing logistical headaches.

While the exact reason for the cancellation remains unconfirmed, it’s not the first time the artist has postponed or cancelled performances.

However, it’s crucial to view this as an isolated incident. The strength of Australia’s music scene isn’t predicated on any single international act. It’s built on a far more diverse and deeply rooted foundation.  

Local venues and festivals thrive

While stadium tours grab headlines, the true pulse of Australia’s music scene beats strongly in its thriving secondary circuit and independent festivals.

Sydney, in particular, boasts an impressive array of venues that consistently host both local and international acts, nurturing talent and providing essential platforms for live music. Iconic spots like the Metro Theatre, Roundhouse, Manning Bar, Oxford Art Factory, Enmore Theatre, The Bank Hotel, Crowbar, The Vanguard, and The Factory Theatre are alive with performances almost every night of the week. These venues are the lifeblood of the scene, offering intimate experiences and a chance to discover the next big thing.  

And the festival circuit is booming.

This weekend in Newtown, the King Street Crawl,a free live music festival, is happening on Sunday.  It will transform King Street and surrounding areas into a celebration of Newtown’s music, culture, and community. The festival aims to link various businesses and venues for a day of live music.  These events provide crucial platforms for artists and bring communities together through the power of music.  

State government rocks…

A significant factor fueling this optimism is the proactive and substantial investment from the NSW State Government. Under the leadership of Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, NSW is making a concerted effort to support and grow the music industry.

In a landmark move, the NSW Government has launched Australia’s largest cash music prize, the NSW Music Prize, with an $80,000 award for the most impactful NSW artist, alongside a $40,000 NSW First Nations Music Prize and a $40,000 NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year award. These prizes, to be awarded in November 2025 during Ausmusic Month, are designed to “celebrate our artists, boost their careers and inspire the next generation to shoot for the stars”.  

This is part of a broader 10-year Contemporary Music Strategy. Since coming into office in 2023, the government has:  

• Introduced “Michael’s Rule” incentives for international touring artists to book local supports.  
• Established the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund, allocating $2.25 million in emergency funding to five festivals.  
• Delivered recording, touring, and promotion grants to help artists create new work and build careers.  
• Initiated Venue Upgrade grants for soundproofing and making venues “gig ready”.  
• Offered extended trading hours and an 80% discount on licensing fees for live music venues, tripling participation.  
• Reformed the noise complaints system to prevent single serial complainants from shutting down venues.  
• Rolled out Special Entertainment Precincts to future-proof entertainment districts.  

Furthermore, Australia boasts the world’s first Night Time Economy Commissioner, with Michael Rodrigues leading the charge in NSW. This dedicated government focus on the night-time economy, of which live music is a cornerstone, signifies a deep commitment to fostering a thriving cultural landscape.  

While the cancellation of a major international act like Usher is a momentary setback, it pales in comparison to the overall momentum building in the Australian music scene. With a packed calendar of global headliners, a robust and diverse local circuit, a thriving festival landscape, and an unprecedented level of strategic government investment, 2025 is not just looking good – it’s poised to be Australia’s best music year yet. The stage is set, the talent is abundant, and the support structures are stronger than ever. The beat, unequivocally, goes on.