Why Is Rihanna Postponing Her Anti Tour? Fans Are Not Happy

Rihanna fans around the world will be very saddened to hear this news: Rihanna just announced that she will postpone her much-anticipated world tour. This is coming fast on the heels of the cancellation of her Grammy performance, which was also very disappointing for fans. So, why is Rihanna postponing her Anti Tour?

When Rihanna cancelled her Grammys performance, she chalked it up to a bad case of bronchitis. But, apparently, that is not what's behind this new rash of show cancellations. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the second show on the tour was having major production issues, which meant that it would not be ready in time for the big night. That show, scheduled for Feb. 28 at the SAP Center, was moved to May 8, pushing back a whole line of scheduled shows, many of which were nearly sold out. Rihanna's representative confirmed that the cause of the postponed shows was indeed "production delays," as vague as that sounds. It raises the question of what sort of production is going into this show? Rihanna is known for her stage presence and great live performances, but this may be a signal that the Anti Tour is upping the ante in terms of crew, sets, choreography, pyrotechnics, electronics, video components, or who knows what else. Without the Grammy performance to give fans a sneak peak at what's being planned for the tour performances, it's all a mystery.

An astounding eight dates have been rescheduled on the North American leg of Rihanna's global tour, including shows in San Diego, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, New Orleans and Oakland and San Jose, California. Some on the European part of the tour have been flat-out cancelled. Now, with this new schedule, the tour will begin March 12 in Jacksonville, Florida. If you've got tickets for this first part of the tour, one thing that is known is who will be her special guest. Rapper Travis Scott will be joining her on that leg, if all goes according to plan. Euroean fans are in for a treat, too. Big Sean and The Weeknd will be joining her onstage for that part of the trip.

Given the length of her tour and the importance it has for rolling out Anti, it makes sense that she's taken so many precautions with her health. Singing night after night is not only exhausting, but it can be dangerous if you're not in top form. Rihanna is no delicate flower, so if she's postponing any shows, it's surely for a good reason.

Here are the new show dates:

March 12 – Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Arena

March 13 – Tampa, FL, Amalie Arena

March 15 – Miami, FL, American Airlines Arena

March 18 – Nashville, TN, Bridgestone Arena

March 19 – Cincinnati, OH, U.S. Bank Arena

March 20 – Charlotte, NC, The Time Warner Cable Arena

March 22 – Washington, DC, Verizon Center

March 23 – Buffalo, NY, First Niagara Center

March 24 – Auburn Hills, MI, Palace of Auburn Hills

March 26 – Hartford, CT, XL Center

March 27 – Brooklyn, NY, Barclays Center

March 30 – Brooklyn, NY, Barclays Center

April 2 – Newark, NJ, Prudential Center

April 3 – Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo

April 5 – Quebec City, QC, Centre Videotron

April 6 – Montreal, QC, Bell Centre

April 7 – Montreal, QC, Bell Centre

April 9 – Baltimore, MD, Royal Farms Arena

April 10 – Boston, MA, TD Garden

April 13 – Toronto, ON, Air Canada Centre

April 14 – Toronto, ON, Air Canada Centre

April 15 – Chicago, IL, United Center

April 18 – Winnipeg, MS, MTS Centre

April 20 – Edmonton, AB, Rexall Place

April 21 – Calgary, AB, Scotiabank Saddledome

April 23 – Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena

April 24 – Seattle, WA, KeyArena

April 27 – Salt Lake City, UT, Vivint Smart Home Arena

April 29 – Las Vegas, NV, Mandalay Bay

April 30 – Las Vegas, NV, Mandalay Bay

May 1* – Phoenix, AZ, Talking Stick Resort Arena

May 3 – Los Angeles, CA, Forum

May 4 – Los Angeles, CA, Forum

May 6* – San Jose, CA, SAP Center

May 7* – Oakland, CA, Oracle Arena

May 9* – San Diego, CA, Viejas Arena

May 13* – Dallas, TX, American Airlines Center

May 14* – Austin, TX, Frank Erwin Center

May 15* – Houston, TX, Toyota Center

May 17* – New Orleans, LA, Smoothie King Center

May 18* – Atlanta, GA, Philips Arena