Post Malone is choosing the studio over the stadium, at least for now.
The 30-year-old artist announced on May 1 via Instagram Stories that he is delaying the start of his Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2 by about three weeks so he can finish his next album, The Eternal Buzz. The move wipes out six U.S. dates that had been scheduled to open the run in May.
Why the tour is starting later
Post, born Austin Richard Post, said the decision came after looking at his schedule following Stagecoach.
“Looking at the upcoming schedule after stagecoach,” he wrote, “I came to the realization that what we were trying to do, and what's possible isn't really lining up.”
He continued: “Truth is, I promised y’all beautiful people new music, and I don't have the time to finish it before tour starts. We ain't ready for tour just yet, so I'm making the decision to push the tour back about 3 weeks to get this music done.”
That is unusually direct for a major touring artist. Stadium tours are not small machines. Moving dates means crews, venues, ticketing, travel and production all get pulled into the adjustment. In this case, the reason is not vague “scheduling conflicts,” but unfinished music.
Which dates are affected
The Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2 was originally set to begin May 13 in El Paso, Texas. It will now officially launch June 9 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In total, six U.S. shows have been canceled, including stops in:
- Texas
- Louisiana
- Alabama
- Florida
Post shared an updated list of tour dates, including festival appearances, but did not say whether replacement dates would be added for the canceled shows.
“I'm so sorry to the folks who were planning on coming to the few canceled shows,” he wrote. “I was looking forward to going nuts with y'all.”
The tour is also set to include select appearances from Jelly Roll.
The album at the center of the delay
Post said the extra time will go toward completing The Eternal Buzz, his seventh studio album. He previously revealed on Instagram that the project will be a 40-track double album, which helps explain why the calendar got tight. Forty songs is not exactly a light administrative task with a microphone nearby.
“We've been making some badass s--t for this double album,” he teased, “and I can't wait to perform for y'all again.”
He also offered a note for fans wondering whether his older sound has been left behind.
“To alot of little stinkers that think I've forgotten about ole Stoney,” he wrote, apparently referring to his 2016 debut album Stoney, “I haven't...”
Post closed by reiterating that he is still eager to get back in front of fans: “I love you, and can't wait to see you crazy motherf--kers soon.”
