Sting cancels Phoenix show with Shaggy because of illness

PHOENIX – When Sting announced he’d be playing at an intimate downtown venue, it seemed too good to be true.

As it turns out, it was – although not because the tour date wasn’t legit.

On Tuesday, one day before the former Police front man was scheduled to play at The Van Buren along with Shaggy on their 44/876 Tour, the show was canceled.

Monday’s scheduled show in San Francisco and Tuesday’s gig in Santa Barbara, California, also were called off.

An urgent message for fans in Santa Barbara and Phoenix. #44876Tour pic.twitter.com/wyGWcG9pAJ

— Sting (@OfficialSting) October 9, 2018

The announcement said Sting, who played in arenas and stadiums when the Police was one of the biggest bands in the world in the early 1980s, was ill and was advised by doctors not to perform.

A note on Sting’s website posted Monday said the “Roxanne” singer could “barely speak.”

The tour was expected to resume Friday in Rancho Mirage, California.

If you have tickets for the sold-out Phoenix show, which sold for $94.50 plus fees, hang onto them.

In a tweet, the venue said it was hoping to reschedule the concert, with details to come.

Tomorrow’s concert at The Van Buren in Phoenix, AZ must be postponed as Sting is still under the weather and advised not to perform by his doctor. Fans are encouraged to hold onto their tickets as we are working to reschedule the concert and will provide updates as we can.

— The Van Buren (@thevanburenphx) October 9, 2018

The Van Buren opened last year with a capacity of 1,800 in a former car showroom. Most shows there are general admission, with no seating on the main floor.

Sting and Shaggy released a reggae album together, “44/876,” in April.

Their tour began in June in Europe before coming to the States in September.

The last scheduled U.S. date is Oct. 16 in Funner, California, but the tour was to continue in South America and Europe until Nov. 19.

Editor’s note: This show has been rescheduled for Oct. 28 at the Van Buren. 

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