The Weeknd drops out of Rihanna’s ‘Anti’ world tour due to scheduling problems

TORONTO – Canadian R&B superstar the Weeknd is bowing out of Rihanna’s “Anti” concert tour due to scheduling conflicts.

Promoter Live Nation issued a statement on Wednesday saying the “Can’t Feel My Face” hitmaker wouldn’t perform at a number of summer European tour dates in support of the singer.

“Due to some unforeseen changes with upcoming projects, the Weeknd will no longer be joining Rihanna on her upcoming international Anti World Tour,” the concert organizer said in an email.

Rihanna’s tour is already underway in North America with rapper Travis Scott as the opening act.

But the Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, was supposed to play about 24 shows overseas, starting with Amsterdam on June 17.

His exit marks the latest in a number of fumbles for Rihanna’s “Anti,” which rebounded to the top the Billboard album chart this week.

“Anti” faced numerous delays last year before it was seemingly leaked online in January by the Tidal streaming music service.

The “Work” singer was also forced to postpone the launch of her tour by about two weeks — from Feb. 26 to March 12 — due to problems with the production.

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