Fans Disappointed as Jelly Roll Cancels Auckland Show Hours Before Start

The highly anticipated performance by rapper and singer-songwriter Jelly Roll in Auckland on November 5, 2023, was abruptly cancelled just hours before it was set to begin. The news was shared by the artist himself through an emotional post on his Instagram account, where he expressed regret about his inability to perform due to illness.

In his message, Jelly Roll stated, “Dear Auckland I’ve done everything I can. I just can’t shake it. It breaks my heart, I’ve probably missed 3 shows in the last decade. I pride myself on showing up no matter what. Just couldn’t do it this time. Please forgive me.”

The cancellation was confirmed by Live Nation in a statement released around 18:20 local time. The company announced that the event at The Outer Fields at Western Springs would no longer proceed and assured fans that “all ticket holders will receive an automatic full refund.” They also expressed appreciation for the understanding of fans, indicating a desire to welcome Jelly Roll back in the future.

The abrupt cancellation left many fans feeling frustrated and disappointed. Angie Smith, a 44-year-old fan who drove from the Waikato region with friends, expressed her anger over the timing of the announcement. “I’m f…ed off, it’s annoying. They could have told us hours ago,” she told RNZ. Smith had been looking forward to singing along to Jelly Roll’s popular song “Save Me.”

Flying in from Dunedin, Peter Wilson, aged 63, was similarly disheartened. He had just attended a Metallica concert in Adelaide and made a stop in Auckland to see Jelly Roll on his way back home. “We’d been gearing up for this all day. I’m in a bit of shock,” he said, reflecting the sentiments of many fans who had traveled significant distances for the show.

The last-minute cancellation was particularly disappointing for Cindy Ramsey and her son, Shane Thomas. They had planned to attend the concert as a special Father’s Day celebration, with Thomas explaining, “She raised me as a single mum so she gets Father’s Day and Mother’s Day.” Ramsey expressed her dismay over the cancellation, stating, “I was gutted it had been cancelled at the last minute,” emphasizing her anticipation to sing “I am not OK,” a song that resonates deeply with their family experiences.

Both mother and son shared a connection to Jelly Roll’s narrative of redemption, which has inspired many fans facing similar struggles. Thomas recounted, “I was on a bender when I heard the song ‘Sober.’ When I heard that, I actually started to get sober.”

The abrupt cancellation of Jelly Roll’s Auckland show has left fans with a mixture of disappointment and concern for the artist’s health. With hopes for future performances, they look forward to the possibility of seeing him on stage once again.