Japan's Earthquake, Tsunami Wreaks Havoc With Concerts, Bands

The horrific earthquake which struck Japan on March 11 has resulted in several cancellations and postponements from artists touring the region.

The National announced that their current itinerary had changed due to the devastation. "So sad we have to cancel our shows in Singapore & Tokyo," the band wrote on their Twitter page March 12. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Japan. We hope to reschedule soon."

Meanwhile heavy metal band Iron Maiden cancelled two scheduled shows at Tokyo's Saitama Super Arena on March 12 and 13 due to "obvious safety concerns towards the audience, the artist and the venue" caused by the natural disaster. The band's official site stated that the group was flying into Tokyo's Narita Airport from Seoul, South Korea, when they were "advised to reroute to Nagoya as the earthquake/tsunami had just become apparent."

"We are extremely saddened by the calamitous events of the last day or so which led to the cancellation of our two shows in Tokyo," said Steve Harris in the statement. "We have had a long relationship with this wonderful country and have always been made to feel most welcome -- this would have been something like our 16th tour. Our sincerest condolences to all those who have suffered and to the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives."

Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson announced on his site March 13 that his planned four-date Japanese tour will be "postponed to a later date." Johnson was slated to play two dates in Tokyo, Fukuoka as well as Sendai which was one of the regions hit hardest by the natural disaster. "Jack would like to extend his heartfelt sympathy to the people of Japan and the victims of the Tohoku Earthquake," the statement said.

Cyndi Lauper is currently in Tokyo and continuously posting updates on her Twitter page. Lauper arrived at her hotel in Tokyo where "the hotel took out cots and blankets and blankets just for [people]," she wrote before adding she had "just felt the wall shake." The 'True Colors' singer is scheduled to perform at Tokyo's Orchard Hall on March 16.

New Jersey rock band Gaslight Anthem arrived in Tokyo for their scheduled concert but cancelled the gig with the hopes of rescheduling the show at a later date "in an effort to conserve power in Tokyo" and for the safety of fans. "Over 4 million people are without power and it is obviously in very bad taste to use amplifiers and lights in a time like this," wrote drummer Benny Horowitz on the band's site, adding that "in reality, we got extremely lucky and dodged a bullet."

Watch Images of Japan After the Earthquake, Tsunami
"It's an absolutely brutal situation and nothing like we've ever experienced," he added. "The Japanese people have handled this situation with the kind of respect and grace I don't think many places in the world can match."

Travis singer-guitarist Fran Healy was also forced to cancel dates in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan due to the situation, with the hope of rescheduling the shows in the near future. "I'm very sorry to hear the terrible news from Japan today," wrote Healy on the band's site after the quake. "Our thoughts are with the Japanese people at this time."

Danish rockers HorrorPops remained in Tokyo but their show was also cancelled. "We love playing in Japan and we hope to make it up to the people who missed out," the band wrote on their site Saturday. "Our hearts go out to the good people of Japan and their families that have been affected by this terrible tragedy."

Guitarist Slash is still planning to travel to Japan with a tour of the country slated to begin in Osaka today. "We'll see if anything changes," he tweeted over the weekend. "In the meantime, kicking ass in Singapore tonight!"

This, of course, has to feel like déjà vu to Oakland rock band High On Fire. According to a press release, the band were slated to perform in Tokyo on March 11 when the earthquake struck. Just 16 days ago, the band were supposed to play Christchurch, New Zealand, when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck that city as well.

"Our thoughts go out to all the people of the world who have already been through such agony during these tragedies and are now going through much worse," said the band in a statement.

As for Japanese bands themselves, pop group Puffy Yumi Ami posted a short Twitter message in Japanese stating that they are safe, and thanking fans for their concern. Noise rock outfit Mono also took to their Facebook page to echo similar sentiments.

The members of longtime hard rock band X-Japan, who toured North America last year, are all safe. "I talked to Toshi, Pata, Sugizo, Heath ... They Are all OK!" bandmember Yoshiki wrote on his Twitter site. "Still trying to reach some of my friends."

Punk trio Shonen Knife also announced they too are okay but cancelled shows set for Tokyo as they were on the verge of leaving for the city. "We felt the earthquake in Osaka just at the time of our departure to Tokyo," said the band on their site. "We judged that we had better to stay in Tokyo."

Countless other artists, including Justin Bieber, Wycleff Jean, 50 Cent and Estelle have also taken to their Twittter feeds in the days since the disaster occured to voice their concern and share messages of hope for Japan.