Kiss postpone Australian tour: Dates pushed back due to WA’s border

Stadium rock icons Kiss have been forced to postpone their Australian tour.

Announcing the rescheduled dates on Tuesday, the American glam rock band placed the blame squarely on Western Australia’s closed border.

WA Premier Mark McGowan last month announced the state’s borders would remain closed indefinitely due to rising Omicron cases across the country, after previously vowing to restart quarantine-free travel on February 5.

Kiss were scheduled to bring their End of the Road farewell tour to Australia in March, but have postponed the entire tour until August/September.

Tickets purchased for the original dates will be valid for the rescheduled shows.

‘With the recent announcement that Western Australia’s borders will remain closed for an indefinite period of time, One World Entertainment and TEG Live have been forced to postpone the Kiss “End of the Road” tour until August/September 2022,’ a spokesperson said.

‘The band is passionate and determined to perform for all their Australian fans. They do not want to leave Perth out of the equation.’ 

Blame: Announcing the rescheduled dates on Tuesday, the American glam rock band placed the blame squarely on Western Australia’s closed border. Pictured: Kiss bassist Gene Simmons

Kiss fans were left disappointed by the news, with many saying the band should have just continued with the tour but cancelled the WA shows.

‘You really should have just got rid of the Perth show. Literally one date deciding the fate of the other eight is ridiculous,’ one said.

‘Just cancel the Perth leg of the tour. They are no longer part of Australia anyway,’ another added. 

Western Australians have gone almost two years without international touring acts. 

Covid-zero zealot: WA Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) last month announced the state’s borders would remain closed indefinitely due to rising Omicron cases across the country, after previously vowing to restart quarantine-free travel on February 5

Mr McGowan announced on January 20 that WA’s borders would remain closed indefinitely because opening up would be ‘reckless’.

The February 5 reopening date was scrapped because of surging Omicron cases and low booster rates in WA, and no alternative date was given. 

‘It would be reckless and irresponsible to open up now. I can’t do it,’ he said at an emergency press conference, adding he knew the decision would be unpopular with many. 

Change of plans: Kiss were scheduled to bring their End of the Road farewell tour to Australia in March, but have postponed the entire tour until August/September (new dates pictured)

The state leader said he wanted to see more children vaccinated and more of the population eligible before he ‘introduces Omicron deliberately’ to Western Australia. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced this week Australia’s international border will reopen for fully-vaccinated travellers on February 21.

Despite this Mr McGowan stubbornly refuses to open his state to the rest of the country, let alone the world, as he tries in vain to keep Covid out. 

Screw Perth: Kiss fans were left disappointed by the news, with many saying the band should have just continued with the tour but cancelled the WA shows