As of Sunday, Sept. 27, Bruce Springsteen formally announced that the remainder of his North American Tour “Springsteen and E Street Band 2023 Tour” will have to continue at a later date as he deals with his ongoing battle with peptic ulcer disease.
Shortly after his earth-shattering third and final performance at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 3, a formal announcement was posted by Springsteen across his social media platforms and website. It explained that tour dates beginning with his September 7th’s show at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY to September 29th’s show at Nationals Park in Washington, DC would be postponed. This statement came at the recommendation of his medical advisors. While there were some comments from disgruntled fans, the majority of Springsteen’s fans sent the singer their well wishes and prayers.
After his last show in DC, Springsteen and the E Streeters were meant to have a month’s break before heading to Rogers Arena in Vancouver on November 3. But now after the most recent statement released by Springsteen, all tour dates in 2023 have been postponed.
For those who hold tickets for any of the postponed shows, the rescheduled 2024 dates are said to have been announced the week of October 3. In the case that ticket holders cannot attend the rescheduled dates, those “who purchased their tickets through official ticketing companies have 30 days to request a refund. All tickets for postponed performances will remain valid for the newly announced dates,” according to LocalSYR.com.
Springsteen commented on the matter, “Thanks to all my friends and fans for your good wishes, encouragement, and support. I’m on the mend and can’t wait to see you all next year.” So, with that optimistic outlook toward the coming year, many Springsteen fans wait to see what will come next after Springsteen’s recovery. On the bright side, E Street Band members are taking a much-needed break from touring. Jake Clemons, current saxophonist and the nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, was able to schedule a show at the Stone Pony where his band will be headlining the evening along with Eddie Testa Band and Jarod Clemons. Clemons’s show is on Thursday, Oct. 21. Tickets are $28 in advance (plus applicable surcharges) and $32 at the door.
Rescheduling tour dates is no easy matter, especially for venues that also serve as sports arenas, meaning that they already have scheduled games. Back in August, two Philly tour dates that were meant to take place at Citizens Bank Park were rescheduled. By the end of the month, it was announced that the rescheduled tour dates would take place a year ahead of the original dates. Springsteen also fell ill to COVID-19 back in April after his show at Prudential Center in Newark, causing him to miss the inaugural American Music Honors hosted here at Monmouth by the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. In the end, it all comes down to the health and safety of Springsteen and his fans.
While it is disheartening to hear that Springsteen had to postpone his tour due to his health, one can only imagine how he must feel knowing he let his fans down. Springsteen is the kind of guy who never seems to put the pencil down, no matter the circumstances. Even during the pandemic, he released his 20th studio album “Letter to You” with a corresponding documentary on Apple TV, hosted radio shows on the E Street Sirius XM channel, and then co-hosted the podcast “Renegades: Born in the USA” with former president Barack Obama.
It is clear that Springsteen loves touring as he has spent over fifty years of his life on the stage performing for thousands of fans. Therefore, this could not have been something easy for him to hear, but being that it is for the greater good of his health and the pursuit of future touring, it was the right call.
