Blink-182 Cancels 3 Mexico City Shows ‘Due to Illness’
Blink-182 fans in Mexico held on to hope that the rock band’s bassist, Mark Hoppus, could overcome his health problems and perform the concerts scheduled for this weekend in the capital city. However, the medical diagnosis said otherwise and the cancellation was inevitable: Out of a total of four performances, they were only able to offer one.
“Dear fans, sadly, Blink-182 shows on April 5 and 6 at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City have been cancelled due to illness,” said promoter Ocesa in a statement on Friday (April 5), two days after the trio also comprised by Tom DeLonge (vocals and guitar) and Travis Barker (drums), had already canceled one performance after offering an energetic show the previous night (April 2) at the same venue, which represented their long-awaited return to the country after a 20-year absence.
“We don’t take canceling lightly. We know people booked flights, hotels, made plans, got babysitters… We had multiple lengthy discussions all morning within the band, with promoters, managers. We tried moving the date, tried every possible solution, but this is the reality. We appreciate your understanding and support,” Hoppus wrote on his Discord account on Wednesday.
“For me and my illness, I have seen a doctor here and talked to my doctor back home. I am on multiple medications and have been in bed the past three days except to go to the show, and yesterday I was hoping it was just allergies… Saw docs, was told I had an acute infection in my throat and severe bronchitis. Got on meds immediately with the kind help of the local promoters and have been on treatment,” added the bassist, who fought a battle with cancer in 2021.
Promoter Ocesa said in a statement on Friday that refunds will be issued to ticket-holders of the cancelled shows. They said that for users who bought tickets online the refund will automatically be refunded on the card with which the purchase was made. If the purchase was made at the box office or Ticketmaster centers, refunds can be requested starting Monday (April 8) at the place of purchase.
In mid-2021, Hoppus revealed that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma. Months later, he declared on Instagram that he was “cancer free”. Last weekend, Blink-182 performed at the 2024 Pa’l Norte Festival held in Monterrey, Mexico, in front of an audience of 85,000 in a moment that Hoppus shared on the same social network.
Sigal Ratner-Arias
Billboard
