Madonna Cancels Tour Because of Bacterial Infection Health Scare, But Ticket Sales Were Soft and Sam Smith Single Was a Bust

Madonna has cancelled her upcoming tour.

According to a statement, she has a bacterial infection. Her manager, Guy Oseary. says everything is paused until a new start date is set and shows are rescheduled.

It’s a serious condition: according to the NY Post she was intubated and in ICU at first. Daughter Lordes was with her in the hospital overnight with her mom. But now she’s better and it is hoped will have a speedy recovery.

Let’s hope she gets better soon!

But the other reality is that Madonna was plagued by health issues on her
Madame X tour a few years ago. She’s turning 65 soon, and these tours are brutal even on young acts.

And then there’s the fact that ticket sales have been soft, to say the least. Her upper tier seats can be found for less than $100. For $300, there are plenty of good seats in every city. The only real crush is on the floor, as with every artist.

On top of that, Madonna’s new single with Sam Smith, called “Vulgar,” was an utter disaster. Total sales including streaming were just 22.193. No one played it, no one bought it. So Madonna has no record to tour behind, no hits other than her classic stuff, which still isn’t anything to sneeze at. But she’s not in the news for anything except her odd looking social media photos.

So maybe it’s time to downsize and reconsider a tour to large theaters where sales will be healthier. An opening act — younger, contemporary draw — might be something to consider as well. Even the Rolling Stones have opening acts.

Anyway the main thing is just get home and get better.

Here’s a partial look at ticket sales at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in December. it’s not great.