Rod Stewart cancels San Diego show, then posts recovery

Rod Stewart’s San Diego concert at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre was canceled 45 minutes before the 7:30 p.m. start after an acute upper respiratory infection that resulted in laryngitis. Hours later, the 81-year-old posted on Instagram from a private

For 10,000-plus fans at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in San Diego, Friday night ended with a delay that never came. The 7:30 p.m. start time still sat on the schedule—but the concert itself was canceled just 45 minutes before it.

The reason was blunt and last-minute. Live Nation, the show’s promoter, announced that a sinus infection was behind the cancellation.

On his social media platforms later Friday, the 81-year-old vocal legend gave a fuller medical framing. He said Stewart, “on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis… is unable to take to the stage this evening.”

Still later Friday, Stewart posted an apology and said he hoped to reschedule his San Diego show. The concert was part of his “One Last Time” farewell tour. In that post, he shared a photo of himself on stage in the empty amphitheater.

What happened next is what turned the cancellation into a bigger story than a simple illness.

Saturday morning, Stewart posted a new video clip on Instagram. In it, he speaks enthusiastically—and briefly sings—without any hint of laryngitis. He also spoke with two of his adult sons, Aidan and Alastair, standing beside him on a private jet. “Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in the World Cup,” he said.

Stewart’s message carried a personal note. Although he was born in London, his father was Scottish, and Stewart has long embraced his family’s Scottish heritage.

As the clip ends, Stewart and his sons sing—to the tune of White Stripes “Seven Nation Army”—the words “No Scotland, no party!” several times.

A medical timeline sat uncomfortably beside the performance-like video. The ailment he described typically takes at least one week to recover from and can last up to three weeks.

A Stewart representative pushed back on the idea that the reason for the cancellation was anything but what had been described. Speaking on background Saturday. the representative told the San Diego Union-Tribune that they had spoken Friday night with Stewart’s physician. adding that “what we posted was accurate” about why the concert was canceled.

The representative explained that Stewart was administered “a few rounds of steroids and treatment in the hopes of being able to perform.” Stewart. the representative said. “was there (at the venue) but we had to text because he had no voice.” The timing. they said. was the difference: “Evidently. (the steroids) kicked in but too late for the show.”.

What time Stewart was treated on Friday remained unclear. His Saturday morning Instagram post did not reference him being unable to speak the night before because of his laryngitis, and it also did not mention having laryngitis at all.

That gap is what many commenters seized on.

Some responses cheered Stewart on, praising his enthusiasm and directing attention toward tonight’s game. Others went directly at the timing.

In one Instagram comment, @rhinorunsandwines wrote: “Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer? Also your story lighting is all wrong; it’s dark on your photo from the venue but the cancellation was in full daylight…”

Another response. from @grampbearkimlee. questioned Stewart’s Saturday post and timing: “Why does he post this after disappointing 10-15K fans?. … Almost seems to be intentional. Surely does not care that his fans were truly disappointed and just 45 minutes before start time last night. I guess only the King of England cancelling on him would be equivalent?”.

The tour moves on even as the debate swirls. Stewart’s next scheduled concert is June 15 at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Colorado. His “One Last Time” tour is set to conclude Aug. 15 in Kansas City.

He also left open the possibility that San Diego could see a make-up date—unless it doesn’t, and the story becomes something fans talk about long after the stage is cleared.

Rod Stewart San Diego concert canceled laryngitis acute upper respiratory infection One Last Time tour Live Nation North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre Instagram post private jet Aidan Stewart Alastair Stewart Scotland World Cup steroids treatment Red Rocks June 15 Kansas City Aug. 15