“Out There!” Japan / Korea dates cancelled

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Paul McCartney arrived in Japan for his new leg of the “Out There” tour, on May 15. Unfortunately, a few days after his arrival, it was reported that McCartney had been bedridden by an unspecified virus on doctor’s orders. At first, concerts were postponed; but in the end, the entire Asian leg of the tour had to be cancelled, as well as some US dates scheduled in June. McCartney would return to Japan and Korea, in April 2015.

From paulmccartney.com, May 17, 2014:

Thank you for such a beautiful and warm welcome to your country.

I’ve unfortunately had to postpone tonight’s show in Tokyo.

I came down with a virus on Friday and following a visit from doctors, I’ve been told not to perform tonight.

I am very sorry to all my fans as I was greatly looking forward to the concert, but the situation is out of my hands.

Along with the doctors, I’m doing all I can to ensure I will be better for tomorrow night’s show and the rest of my time in Japan.

We are planning to replay this show on Monday.  I really hope you can make it.

Love,

Paul McCartney

From paulmccartney.com, May 18, 2014:

Tokyo National Stadium shows to be postponed 18th & 19th May

Doctors have ordered Paul complete rest and he has been doing all he can to get better. Paul has only ever had to reschedule a handful of shows in his entire career and is so upset about this situation, he hates to let people down. This morning he told his staff he was going to try and perform tonight against doctors orders, but his team, along with the doctors, wouldn’t allow it. He has been very moved by the fan’s reactions and messages of love and support he has received in Japan.

Paul has instructed his team to look at rescheduling options.

Message from Paul:

“Thank you so much for your kind messages of support. I’m so very touched. Unfortunately my condition has not improved overnight. I was really hoping that I’d be feeling better today. I’m so disappointed and sorry to be letting my fans down.

Love,

Paul”

thanks tokyo – you have been very understanding. we all just want paul to relax and get completely better. time for patience.

Rusty Anderson – from Twitter, May 18, 2014

Thank you Tokyo for your kind messages and for your understanding. We will do our very best to make it up to you somehow.

Brian Ray – from Twitter

From a spokesperson for Paul McCartney, May 20, 2014:

Paul McCartney will regrettably have to cancel the remaining Japanese shows. Paul is still not feeling better and this cancelation is unavoidable. He was hoping to be better but the doctors have ordered him complete rest. Paul has been extremely moved by the messages from his fans and is upset to be letting them down. All possibilities to find a solution to reschedule these shows as soon as possible are being explored.

The following statement was also issued:

I was really looking forward to playing in Japan again after we had such an amazing time here in November. So to cancel these shows as well as the National Stadium shows is hugely disappointing for me as well. I’d like to thank my Japanese fans for their love, messages of support and understanding. I hope to see you all again soon.
Love,

Paul

The cancellation of the concert in Seoul was confirmed on May 21, through a press release from Hyundai Car Ltd:

A spokesperson for Paul McCartney said:

Paul McCartney will regrettably have to postpone his forthcoming Concert in Seoul, South Korea. After coming down with a virus in Japan, Paul’s doctors have ordered complete rest. Paul is not feeling better and this cancellation is unavoidable. All possibilities are being explored to reschedule this show.

From Paul:

I was really looking forward to visiting and playing in South Korea for the first time and I’m sorry to be letting fans down. I’m very disappointed by this and hope to be able to visit soon.

Love,

Paul

From paulmccartney.com, May 22, 2014:

Since contracting a virus last week that led to the postponement of tour dates, Paul received successful medical treatment at a hospital in Tokyo.

He will make a complete recovery and has been ordered to take a few days rest.

Paul has been extremely moved by all the messages and well wishes he has received from fans all over the world.

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Paul McCartney was last in Japan, in November 2013. During this leg of the tour, he was supposed to visit the Budokan (a first since the Beatles concert there in 1966), and also visit Korean for very first time.

From paulmccartney.com, March 26, 2014:

Paul McCartney is getting back ‘Out There’

Music icon to return to Japan for 2014 stadium shows!

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th May: National Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday 24th May: Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka

Following an incredible 2013 which saw Paul’s critically acclaimed ‘Out There’ tour launch in Brazil and visit 23 cities across South America, Europe, North America and end here in Japan, today Paul confirms he’ll be coming back to Japan this May.

From paulmccartney.com, April 3, 2014:

Paul McCartney Getting Back ‘Out There’

First time in South Korea

‘Paul McCartney Hyundai Card Super Concert 20’
Wednesday 28th May – Seoul, South Korea
Jamsil Sports Complex Main Stadium

Following an incredible 2013 which saw Paul’s critically acclaimed ‘Out There’ tour launch in Brazil and visit 23 cities across South America, Europe, North America and Japan, today Paul confirms he’ll be getting back out there by announcing his first ever concert in South Korea, taking place at Seoul’s Jamsil Sports Complex Main Stadium this May 28th, 2014.

From paulmccartney.com, May 9, 2014:

Paul McCartney to get back to the Budokan
Very special additional Japanese ‘Out There’ tour date added

Paul McCartney – Nippon Budokan – Wednesday 21st May

On the eve of the new leg of Paul’s massive worldwide ‘Out There’ tour, due to commence in Tokyo on 17th May with two massive sold out shows at Tokyo’s National Stadium, Paul has announced a special one off show at the Nippon Budokan on Wednesday May 21st.

Almost 48 years since The Beatles began the Asian leg of their 1966 tour at the Budokan, Paul will return to the legendary venue with his current tour.

Speaking about his return Paul said: “It’s very exciting to be returning to the Budokan because it is a very special place and was the first place we played in Japan. There was a lot of controversy at the time but I now know that it is a regular venue for a lot of people. But for me it has a very special place in my memory.” […]

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In an interview with RollingStone, in June 2014, Paul McCartney has this to say about this experience:

People say to me, ‘Aw, that must have been terrible for you.’ Well, no, actually. No one ever tells me to rest! It was like summer holidays in school or something. I thought, ‘Yeah, I can get into that.’ I just took it really easy at home in England. My son-in-law had a film script – plenty of time to read that. I started jogging a bit. The weather was great, so that was cool. And then I went into my recording studio and did some music that I didn’t have to do, some experimental stuff. That was a really nice musical awakening, and it made me feel better.

Paul McCartney – from RollingStone, July 17, 2014

Last updated on March 11, 2021