More than eight years after her last world tour, Rihanna’s highly anticipated return to the stage appears to be on hold once again. Reports had surfaced suggesting that the pop icon was set to perform up to six concerts in London this July. However, according to The Sun, these unconfirmed dates have now been scrapped due to the singer’s ongoing work on new music.
Tour Plans in Development for Years
Rihanna, now 37, last embarked on a global tour in 2016. According to The Telegraph, she was allegedly scheduled to perform at London Stadium on July 4 and 5, with additional dates on July 8, 9, 11, and 12. There was also speculation that she might headline the Glastonbury Festival, but when the festival organizers recently announced their lineup, her name was notably absent.
An industry insider cited by The Sun revealed that Rihanna had been planning her stage comeback for at least three years. “She is eager to return to performing live, but the timing does not seem right,” the source stated.
Focus on New Music
While fans eagerly await her live return, Rihanna appears to be prioritizing her long-awaited ninth studio album. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she confirmed that she is actively working on new material. “I just figured out what I really want to do for my next album. I feel really, really good about it,” she shared. The singer also hinted at an evolving musical style, stating, “There’s no genre anymore.”
Reflecting on her extended break from music, the Umbrella hitmaker explained, “I told myself that the time I wasn’t spending on music was important for what’s coming next. It had to be meaningful. It had to be worth the wait. I can’t put out something mediocre. If fans have waited eight years, they might as well wait a little longer.”
Rihanna’s last album, Anti, was released in 2016. Since then, she has made only a handful of live appearances, including her widely acclaimed Super Bowl halftime show in February 2023. As anticipation builds, fans remain hopeful that her next musical chapter—and eventual tour—will be worth the prolonged wait.
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