Justin Bieber promoter says no change to Dubai tour dates but fans should await updates

Canadian singer has suspended his world tour for health reasons

On May 4, 2013, Canadian singer Justin Bieber beat the sweltering heat to perform for fans at Sevens Stadium in Dubai. Sarah Dea/The National

In May 2013, fans of Justin Bieber at Sevens Stadium in Dubai gave the Canadian star a huge UAE welcome. Sarah Dea/The National

Justin Bieber takes the stage in Dubai in May 2013. Sarah Dea/The National

After a two-hour wait for their hero, fans in Dubai quickly forgave Justin Bieber's tardiness and turned up the volume to welcome him to the UAE. Sarah Dea/The National

Fans of Canadian singer Justin Bieber mask up at Sevens Stadium in Dubai in May 2013. Sarah Dea/The National

In May 2017, Justin Bieber was back in Dubai, starting his gig with 'Mark My Words' from his 2015 album 'Purpose'. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Canadian star Justin Bieber appeared at the Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai during his 2017 tour. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Justin Bieber performed before a forgiving crowd in Dubai in 2013 when he was two hours late onstage. In May 2017, he stuck to his schedule and the music began on time. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Fans sang along to their favourite Justin Bieber songs at the Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai in May 2017. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Justin Bieber performs in concert on Saturday, May. 06, 2017, at the Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Bright lights and big screens as Justin Bieber performs at the Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai in May 2017. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Justin Bieber performs at the Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai in May 2017. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Dubai was the only Middle East stop for Canadian star Justin Bieber on his 2017 tour. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Justin Bieber performs at the Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai in May 2017, when his 2015 album 'Purpose' and the singles from it had charted in more than 100 countries. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Bieber cancelled his Coca-Cola Arena concert in Dubai in October 2022 owing to ill health. Chris Whiteoak for The National

Dubai concert promoter Thomas Ovesen, of Top Entertainment, confirmed to The National that tickets for Justin Bieber's two Dubai concerts next month were still on sale, despite the singer announcing on Tuesday he was postponing his world tour for health reasons.

Ovesen says he is awaiting information from Bieber's camp regarding the resumption of the tour and whether the October 8 and 9 shows at Coca-Cola Arena would need to be pushed back.

“We all wish Justin a speedy recovery and admire his decision to put his health first,” he said.

“We can’t wait to see him back on the road and we’re standing by for further updates, which we will share with you as the Dubai show dates approaches.”

Bieber's last performance was in Brazil's Rock in Rio festival on Sunday and the postponement immediately affects the remainder of the South American leg of the tour, including Wednesday's scheduled concert in Chile.

In a statement released on social media, the pop star said he was only "taking a break from touring for the time being” after experiencing health struggles on the road.

In an Instagram post uploaded after the Rock in Rio event, Bieber said he “gave everything I have to the people in Brazil”.

“After getting offstage, the exhaustion overtook me and I realised that I need to make my health the priority right now.”

Bieber also referred to his experience with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a condition which left half of his face paralysed and forced him to cancel a number of North American concerts.

Bieber said overcoming the condition affected his physical health when returning to the stage in July.

“After resting and consulting with my doctors, family and team, I went to Europe in an effort to continue the tour. I performed six live shows, but it really took a real toll on me,” the statement reads.

“So I’m going to take a break from touring for the time being … I’m going to be OK, but I need time to rest and get better.”

Bieber is not the only young pop star to be affected by the rigours of the road.

In July, singer Shawn Mendes, 23, cancelled the rest of his world tour to look after his mental health.

The Treat You Better singer said he will return to live performance "as soon as I have taken the time to heal."

Ovesen, who brought Bieber and One Direction to Dubai on previous tours, says he sympathises with young artists taking on the commitment to go on a world tour.

"They are significant undertakings and some tours can take multiple years to complete, during which artists and crew might only get home occasionally and for very short stints, and the rest of the time they move from show stop to show stop, time zone to time zone, winter to summer,” he says.

“I think it’s hard to imagine what that means for those involved and for sure it affects people differently too. It can be exciting, no doubt, but really gruelling at the same time."

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