# Foreign Entertainers canceling US Tours **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 16, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945 "2025-07-16T23:42:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/1 "2025-07-16T23:42:38Z")
I could put this in Cafe Society, but who are we kidding. I just got this message from the organizers of a music festival I am attending next month: _At this uncertain time, it has been extra difficult for foreign artists to travel to and perform in the US and unfortunately, two great bands we were very much looking forward to having at the festival this year — L.H.D. from Croatia and I. Jeziak & The Surfers from Poland — have determined it’s better and safer not to play at this time._ Two months ago I was at another festival (a cruise, actually) where a band from Sweden also dropped out for the same purported reason. Getting the third degree from the goons at customs is no picnic, even for Americans, but I have no doubt that these bands (with good reason) want to punish American voters for their bad decisions. Remember back in the 1980s when artists refused to book shows in South Africa due to apartheid policies? Guess what. We are now (1980s) South Africa. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/2 "2025-07-17T00:40:06Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > but I have no doubt that these bands (with good reason) want to punish American voters for their bad decisions That’s not what this music agent is saying: > [@](#): > > “I think the artists are starting to get a little bit fearful of their worst-case scenario,” Alper said in an interview with CTV’s Todd Battis. “I think in some cases, in some aspects of it, it’s actually coming true.” > > Alper said political instability and unrest during the election year and now the Trump presidency are frightening musicians who have always had to work hard to break into the lucrative American market. > > “Some of the musicians are fearful of getting stopped at the border and having the border guards go through their phones or social media.” > > Alper said many musicians “lean Liberal” and might be scared something they wrote could be used against them. He said artists, including one who was stopped in Ohio for a traffic violation, are facing questions about their voting practices and political beliefs that could have repercussions. > … > “They fear for their families as well on social media,” he said. “Getting doxed and having their information spread.” You’re not just South Africa. There’s a dose of the Soviet Union in there as well. > **[Canadian musicians change tour plans in response to changing relations with U.S.](https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/article/canadian-musicians-change-tour-plans-in-response-changing-relations-with-us/)** > > Canadian musicians rely on access to on an American audience which has defined generations of popular music with its size and influence. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/3 "2025-07-17T03:33:16Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > We are now (1980s) South Africa. Worse…[Republic of Gilead](https://the-handmaids-tale.fandom.com/wiki/Republic_of_Gilead). Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/4 "2025-07-17T03:44:08Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I have no doubt that these bands (with good reason) want to punish American voters for their bad decisions. I don’t think that even crossed their minds. Their stated reasons are the most likely ones to be true. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/5 "2025-07-17T04:06:07Z")
Especially as many countries are even officially placing the USA under travel advisory. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/6 "2025-07-17T12:33:24Z")
I saw Matthew Good cancelled his US tour. I know or follow a few people in small bands and they are doing longer than usual European tours this summer, and either avoiding or delaying booking in the States. One band had to cancel a few shows because the USA blocked a work visa with no explanation (or, at least, none I have heard about; I don’t think they’ve gone to the states since I saw that post). Yes, there’s a lot of money to be made, but at what cost? A significant number of Canadians are choosing to avoid the USA entirely, why would musicians be any different? I know I’m not going back any time soon, not without significant social and political change. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/7 "2025-07-17T14:18:24Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > Yes, there’s a lot of money to be made, but at what cost? A significant number of Canadians are choosing to avoid the USA entirely, why would musicians be any different? I know I’m not going back any time soon, not without significant social and political change. Fortress America, the hermit kingdom where the only permissible music is the stylings of Lee Greenwood. Ugh. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/8 "2025-07-17T14:24:05Z")
Even Lee Hazelwood would’ve been better. Only permissible art - Jon McNaughton ( and any NFT flunkies) ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/9 "2025-07-17T15:00:59Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Fortress America, the hermit kingdom where the only permissible music is the stylings of Lee Greenwood. Ugh. Presenting Lee Screamwood: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bltiRI1Uars/hqdefault.jpg "Metallica Refuses To Let Trump Use Their Music") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bltiRI1Uars) ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/10 "2025-07-17T15:19:02Z")
I don’t think most bands can trivially turn away touring money; so I doubt it would merely be a protest. They must genuinely feel unsafe. It will be interesting to see how this admin approaches the football world cup next year, but I won’t hijack. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/11 "2025-07-17T19:12:14Z")
Yet another article about non-US musicians cancelling US tours. This one details Amir Amiri’s case. He originally applied for a visa in December, 2024 to perform at a July festival. His agents tried many things, including contacting Colorado Senator Bennet’s office, but in the end cancelled because they simply never received a visa. Other artists are mentioned who have canceled for similar visa problems, as well as human rights concerns, such as fear of prolonged detainment or being forced to travel under their birth gender. > **[International musicians are canceling shows in America. Amir Amiri, a...](https://coloradosun.com/2025/07/16/amir-amiri-green-box-arts-show-canceled/)** > > Already burdensome red tape has only grown more complicated in Trump’s second term. Meet one artist who had to cancel four Colorado shows. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/12 "2025-07-22T07:48:19Z")
Another report of visa problems forcing cancellation of tour dates [TwoSet Violin Forced To Cancel US Tour Dates Due To Visa Complications - Musicalinstrumenthub.com](https://www.musicalinstrumenthub.com/archives/22658) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/13 "2025-07-22T11:33:22Z")
Trump doesn’t want “America First” he wants “My Version of America Only”. For the anti-immigration crowd foreigners cancelling their tours is a feature, not a bug. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/14 "2025-07-22T16:40:51Z")
I’m surprised he hasn’t tried imposing tariffs on all foreign entertainers performing in the US. Not just musicians, but foreign actors working in movies, plays, and TV shows. After all, they’re taking jobs away from Amurricans. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/15 "2025-07-22T16:46:04Z")
MANK! (Make America North Korea) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/16 "2025-07-22T16:50:57Z")
Trump is looking and sounding more like “Dear Leader” every day. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/17 "2025-07-22T17:18:34Z")
Bob Vylan, an English rap duo, simply can’t get a visa at all for being very pro-Palestinian and very outspoken about it. Their US tour was cancelled for them. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/18 "2025-07-22T17:40:45Z")
I go to a LOT of concerts by foreign artists. (Last year I went to 21 concerts by non-Americans.) Fortunately very few of the ones I go to have been affected. However, I have definitely heard of many American tours or (more commonly) festival appearances which had to be cancelled because of visa problems. I haven’t heard of many situations where a tour was canceled because of the artist’s decision. It remains to be seen if foreign artists stop booking American tours. If so, that would definitely affect me. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/19 "2025-07-23T20:45:36Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Getting the third degree from the goons at customs is no picnic, even for Americans, but I have no doubt that these bands (with good reason) want to punish American voters for their bad decisions. I highly doubt it. It’s hard enough being a working musician without turning paying customers away unnecessarily. Especially in the biggest, richest market on Earth. But avoiding the gestapo is worth a _lot_. People are getting disappeared or sitting incommunicado, with substandard food and no medication, in concentration camps for weeks or months on end. It’s just a cold, hard economic decision at that point. No amount of ticket sales can make up for your life and career being ruined by violent, power-drunk Trumpist goons. Even if the overall chances of that happening to you are low, as long as they’re above zero it’s not a reasonable risk to take for most people, if you can help it. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945/20 "2025-07-23T22:57:19Z")
They’re still coming, at least plenty of them are. I have tickets to see 13 non-American musical artists until the end of the year. British, Japanese, and Korean, mostly. Some Canadian. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-entertainers-canceling-us-tours/1020945.md?page=2)