On Tuesday, headliner Miley Cyrus pulled out of the World Tour Bushfire Relief benefit concert scheduled for March 13th at Melbourne, Australia’s Lakeside Stadium, citing concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. This decision has prompted concert organizers to scrap the Friday show, adding it to a long list of events either canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, including Santana‘s tour, SXSW, Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland Winter, and Coachella. Saturday night’s show, which features headliner Robbie Williams will continue as scheduled.
Organized in part by Jada Pickett Smith and Will Smith‘s Westbrook Inc., Friday’s show boasted a lineup of Cyrus, Lil Nas X, The Veronicas, and DJ Seb Fontaine, with proceeds benefitting Australian charities that support local communities hit hardest by the bushfires earlier this year. Cyrus explained her decision in a statement posted to Twitter,
Australia: Due to the recommendations of local, state, federal and international government authorities, including the Center for Disease Control, to reduce potential health risks in response to the current global health crisis, we are no longer traveling to Aus for the show. I am so disappointed to not be there, but I have to do what is right to protect the health and safety of my band and crew. I will still be making a donation to help the victims of the Australian bush fire. I’m sorry to miss everyone in Australia, but I will be back soon.
Event promoters TEG Dainty posted a statement to Facebook, informing fans of the cancellation and assuring them that refunds are available. “Tickets purchased by credit or debit card will be refunded in full,” they said. Read the entire post below:
While Miley Cyrus is not able to perform at the Bushfire Relief benefit concert on Friday, tickets for Saturday’s show, featuring Robbie Williams, Pete Murray, and Seb Fontaine are on sale now and available here.