Snoop Dogg has cancelled his Auckland concert just three days before the scheduled performance.
The American rapper was set to perform at Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau on September 20th as part of a one-off concert and DJ set.
The cancellation announcement came via Instagram from promoter 4ward Entertainment this morning. “Due to circumstances beyond our control, Snoop Dogg will no longer be performing in Auckland this weekend,” the statement read. The promoters expressed being “saddened” that the show was “no longer possible” and apologised to fans for the “disappointment and inconvenience caused.”
The decision follows last week’s revelation that local promoter Pato Alvarez was the previously unnamed ‘entertainment industry figure’ accused of sexual assaults against multiple women. Alvarez fought to keep his identity secret through New Zealand’s court system, but the Supreme Court rejected his request for permanent suppression in a judgment released last Tuesday.
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Following a 12-week trial in 2023, Alvarez was found guilty of two charges and not guilty of 23 others. He was sentenced 12 months’ home detention. Despite the conviction, Alvarez confirmed to Stuff last week that he remained the promoter for the Snoop Dogg event through his company NZ Touring & Events Limited, which lists his wife Monique Lee as sole director.
“Snoop Dogg’s team contacted us directly, wanting to stop in New Zealand for a special performance on his way to Australia,” Alvarez had stated, in regards to the rapper’s controversial planned appearance at the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne.
The cancellation adds to Alvarez’s troubled promotional history. He was previously involved with the cancelled Juicy Festival and Timeless Summer Tour, which left thousands of ticketholders waiting months for refunds. Both associated companies entered liquidation owing millions, with some customers still pursuing bank disputes to recover their money.
Prior to the cancellation, both Alvarez and venue operators had assured fans that ticket funds were held securely in trust accounts for consumer protection. Alvarez had stated that “every ticketholder will be fully refunded directly by the ticketing company” if the show didn’t proceed. According to the cancellation announcement, Eventfinda will process automatic refunds within two to five days.
