String of concert cancellations hits Portland’s still-busy Rose Quarter

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A trend of concert cancellations nationwide has also impacted some of Portland’s top live music venues.

Since August, artists including Sexyy Red, Childish Gambino, Niki, Jane’s Addiction, Don Toliver and Maverick City Music have canceled their shows at the Rose Quarter.

Some artists, like rapper Childish Gambino and rock band Jane’s Addiction, canceled a string of shows or remaining tour dates due to health concerns or on-stage scuffles . Others who have nixed their Portland concerts went on to headline shows in front of large audiences.

Multiple stops on Sexyy Red’s current tour were canceled, including late August shows at Seattle’s WAMU Theater and the Moda Center. The St. Louis-raised rapper denied rumors that concerts were axed due to low ticket sales, and has since been seen at jam-packed shows in Atlanta and Brooklyn, N.Y.

Singer-songwriter Niki was set to perform at Theater Of the Clouds on Oct. 17, but announced the show’s cancellation in late September.

In an Instagram story that has since expired , the singer-songwriter explained that she and her team “could not sell enough tickets to justify the expenses” of her Portland and Minneapolis shows. She also said she reduced ticket prices, upped local promotions and considered different spaces for the concerts.

However, this string of cancellations cannot be accredited to the venue alone. The Rose Quarter — and Moda Center in particular — has recently hosted popular pop, rock and country acts like Olivia Rodrigo, Jelly Roll and Weezer. It will also host Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish in the coming months.

According to Rose Quarter spokesperson Walt Scher, the entertainment district is “in the midst of one of its busiest stretches in campus history” — with 50 events scheduled in a 90-day period.

“We’ve been incredibly pleased with the success of that stretch thus far,” Scher said in an email. “Our 15 concerts in August saw an average capacity sold of 94%, while our September shows saw an 83% average capacity sold with six sellouts, and we have already hosted multiple sold-out shows in October.”

He noted that concert cancellations are “almost always” determined by the event promoter, artist or their management, rather than the venue itself.

MusicPortland Executive Director Meara McLaughlin added that financial pressures have also contributed to the ebb and flow of the concert industry.

“It does seem like there’s been a surprising number of show cancellations lately,” MusicPortland Executive Director Meara McLaughlin told KOIN 6 in an email. “But the reality is that post-COVID, concert logistics are more complicated than ever, with rising costs and lower attendance putting a real strain on things. These are incredibly expensive shows to produce and when ticket sales do not pencil, promoters will cancel.”

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