While the likes of Taylor Swift can make billions from touring despite the high cost of tickets, the same can't be said for other music acts.
Several big-name artists have canceled performances or their entire tours in recent weeks, including the Pussycat Dolls, Meghan Trainor, and Post Malone.
While some cite family or work commitments, many fans are speculating that poor ticket sales are the cause.
"4th cancelled tour I've seen in the last week," one person wrote on X in response to the Pussycat Dolls' announcement. "Tickets are too expensive and artists are overestimating their demand."
"Another cancelled tour… how many is that this year??? artists really need to start realising the high prices and residencies don't work anymore. Make concert tickets affordable for everyone again please," another posted.
Blue Dot Fever
© Getty ImagesIn response to the cancellations, the term 'blue dot fever' has emerged. The phrase is a reference to the blue dots used to signify empty seats (unsold tickets) on ticket-sale websites.
Fans have long complained about the rising cost of concert tickets, and they aren't wrong.
According to Pollstar, the live music industry trade publication, average primary-market ticket prices jumped from $96.17 to $135.92 between 2019 and 2024.
Canceled tours in 2026
© Getty ImagesBlue dot fever hit Kid Cudi, as he canceled his Birmingham, Alabama show on May 5, telling fans that ticket sales "just weren't strong enough."
The Pussycat Dolls also hinted that low ticket sales were why they pulled the plug on all but one date on the North American leg of their reunion tour.
"When we announced the PCD Forever Tour, we hoped to bring the show to fans across the world," a statement shared on social media reads. "After taking an honest look at the North American run, we've made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to cancel all but one of the North America dates."
© Getty ImagesPost Malone was due to kick off his Big Ass Stadium Tour with Jelly Roll on May 13, but he has now canceled six dates, including El Paso, Waco, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Tampa, and Oxford, and will now begin the tour on June 13.
He claimed he needed more time to work on his new music, telling fans on social media: "Truth is, I promised ya'll beautiful people new music, and I don't have time to finish it before tour starts."
© Getty ImagesHowever, blue dot fever claims soon struck as screenshots of several blue blocks at one of his shows began circulating online.
Meghan Trainor canceled her entire The Get In Girl Tour in mid-April, citing the release of her album, Toy with Me, and the arrival of her third child with husband Daryl Sabara.
© Getty Images"Balancing the release of a new album, preparing for a nationwide tour, and welcoming our new baby girl to our growing family of five has just been more than I can take on right now, and I need to be home and present for each and all of them at this time," she wrote on Instagram.
While her reasons are completely valid, reports claimed that sales for the tour were lower than anticipated, with resale listings reportedly falling as low as $10 before the tour was scrapped.
