Jelly Roll fans shocked as Auckland concert cancelled

Thousands of people were gathered at The Outer Oval in Auckland's Western Springs on Saturday afternoon when, at 6 p.m., an announcement came over the loudspeaker that headliner Jelly Roll would not be performing.

 The rapper, singer, and songwriter announced the decision on his Instagram.

“Dear Auckland I’ve done everything I can,” he wrote, “I just can’t shake it.

“It breaks my heart, I’ve probably missed 3 shows in the last decade.

 “I pride myself on showing up no matter what.

 “Just couldn’t do it this time. Please forgive me.”

Saturday's show would have been Jelly Roll's first performance in New Zealand and the only stop in Aotearoa on their Down Under tour.

 Live Nation confirmed the news in a statement at approximately 6:20 p.m. Saturday.

 "We regret to announce the Jelly Roll Down Under 2025 Tour tonight at The Outer Fields at Western Springs in Auckland will no longer go ahead due to illness," a statement from Live Nation read.

 "All ticket holders will receive an automatic full refund. For any further refund enquiries please contact your point of purchase.

"We thank the fans for their understanding, and we look forward to welcoming Jelly Roll in future."

Angie Smith, a fan of the rapper, traveled from Waikato with four other friends in their Holden car, spending $188 on petrol.

 The 44-year-old told RNZ, "I'm so upset, it's very upsetting. They could have told us hours ago."

 She said she was looking forward to singing "Save Me."

 Peter Wilson, 63, from Dunedin, flew in after seeing Metallica in Adelaide on November 5 and stopped in Auckland to see Jelly Roll on his way back to the South Island.

 He saw Jelly Roll in Las Vegas last year.

 "We've been preparing for this all day. I'm a bit shocked."

 Cindy Ramsay from Orewa attended Jelly Roll with her son. She said it was a Father's Day gift from her 32-year-old son.

 "She raised me as a single mom, so she gets Father's Day and Mother's Day," son Shane Thomas said.

 Ramsey said she was "sad" that it was canceled at the last minute. She was most looking forward to singing "I'm Not Okay."

 "It's my song right now," she said.

 "It's our family song right now," her son said.

 Both mother and son are drawn to Jelly Roll's story of recovery from crime and drugs.

 "I was drunk when I heard the song 'Sober.' When I heard it, I really started to get sober," Thomas told RNZ.