The Chicks Forced to Postpone Tour Dates Amid Mysterious Health Crisis

(L-R) Emily Strayer, Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire of The Chicks Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/Shutterstock

The Chicks have made further adjustments to their tour itinerary due to an undisclosed illness.

The Chicks, consisting of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer, were scheduled to perform in Bethel, New York on Thursday, August 3, immediately following their show in Columbia, Maryland. However, their Bethel concert has been rescheduled for September 20 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion.

According to a social media announcement, tickets for the original Maryland concert will still be valid for the new date. Conversely, those who had purchased tickets for the Bethel concert will receive automatic refunds.

The statement did not provide details about the illness or identify which member of the band was affected. Shows in Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee, and Greensboro, North Carolina, were postponed last week.

"We have made the tough choice to reschedule our shows in Knoxville and Greensboro due to illness. We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but our main focus is to give you all the show you deserve," stated a tweet on Friday, July 28. The tweet also mentioned the new dates for the three concerts.

The Chicks World Tour commenced in Norway in June, followed by scheduled U.S. dates running through September. Later, the trio will be performing in Australia and New Zealand during the fall season.

In June 2020, the band, previously known as the Dixie Chicks, made an announcement regarding their name change. This decision came in light of the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests across the nation. A statement on The Chicks' website expressed their aim to align with the current movement.

Coinciding with the introduction of their new name, The Chicks released a music video for their song "March March," featured on their 2020 album Gaslighter. Through this visual, they inspired their fans to "Use your VOICE" and "Use your VOTE" amidst the ongoing fight for racial justice.

Despite temporarily halting their current tour, The Chicks have observed fellow country artists bravely taking the stage across the nation. Unfortunately, these performers have unexpectedly faced safety hazards. In June, during Kelsea Ballerini's performance in Idaho, a fan threw an object onto the stage, accidentally striking Ballerini in the face. Concerned for her well-being, Ballerini's band members immediately checked on her before she briefly stepped off the stage.

"Hello. I'm doing well," she updated her Instagram followers post-show. "A bracelet was unexpectedly thrown, and it struck my eye. It startled me more than causing actual harm. Behind the scenes, we all have various triggers and fears that run deeper, not always apparent. That's precisely why I took a moment offstage to restore calm and ensure the safety and comfort of myself, the band, crew, and the crowd."

Ballerini emphasized her desire for her concerts to be a sanctuary where both the performers and attendees can feel secure.

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The act of objects being thrown has occurred multiple times at different shows during the summer. As Tim McGraw gets ready to embark on his Standing Room Only Tour next year, he is anticipating the unexpected.

When asked about whether he intends to take additional safety measures, he responded to Entertainment Tonight by saying, "Hopefully I still have agility and can evade and avoid any potential hazards. It's truly mind-boggling, and it ruins the experience for everyone else."