Cat Stevens Tour Postponed: Peace Train Derailed By Visa Delays

Why was the Cat Stevens tour postponed in 2025? That’s the question thousands of heartbroken fans are asking today after legendary singer-songwriter Yusuf/Cat Stevens pulled the plug on his highly anticipated North American book tour. The iconic musician announced the Cat Stevens tour postponed indefinitely due to ongoing visa approval delays that made production logistics impossible to arrange in time.

Cat Stevens tour performer Yusuf Islam playing acoustic guitar at the National Remembrance Ceremony in Christchurch, New Zealand, 2019. — Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Yusuf/Cat Stevens performing at the National Remembrance Ceremony, Christchurch, 2019. Photo via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Man, this one really stings for classic rock fans who’ve been waiting months to catch this classic rock artist live!

What Happened With The Cat Stevens Tour Postponement?

The Cat Stevens tour postponed announcement came on September 29, 2025, after the singer had been waiting months for visa approvals. The “Cat On The Road To Findout” tour was designed as an intimate evening combining stories from his new memoir with acoustic performances of his beloved songs.

The tour was scheduled to kick off October 2 in Philadelphia and conclude October 22 in Los Angeles, with stops in major cities including Boston, Toronto, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

“I am really upset! Not least for my fans who have bought tickets and made travel plans to see me perform,” the 76-year-old artist shared in an emotional statement on Instagram. Can you imagine the disappointment?

Will Cat Stevens Reschedule His North American Tour?

There’s a glimmer of hope for fans wondering if the Cat Stevens tour postponed situation is permanent. The legendary performer indicated that North American audiences may still get a chance to see the tour if visa approvals eventually come through, though those dates would be “some time away” due to other travel tour plans.

“Hopefully, fans will be able to hop on the Peace Train route at some time in the future,” he added with characteristic optimism.

The Silver Lining: Cat Stevens’ New Memoir Still Arrives On Schedule

While the Cat Stevens tour postponed news is disappointing, fans can still enjoy his memoir “Cat on the Road to Findout,” which is set to be published October 7 in North America. As Yusuf himself quipped: “Books don’t need visas!”

The autobiography chronicles his incredible evolution from chart-topping pop star to spiritual seeker, exploring his journey through Buddhism, Zen, Hinduism, and ultimately his conversion to Islam in 1977. If you’re looking to dive deeper into his remarkable career, check out On the Road to Find Out: Cat Stevens’ Greatest Hits & Memoir Now Available.

Why The Visa Issues For Cat Stevens?

This isn’t the first time Yusuf/Cat Stevens has faced visa complications with U.S. immigration — in 2004, his flight to Washington D.C. was diverted to Bangor, Maine, where he was detained and denied entry to the United States by the Department of Homeland Security.

The current situation reflects a broader trend, as more international artists face hurdles booking U.S. dates due to increasing challenges in the visa process. FKA Twigs and entire festivals like Michelada Fest have also faced similar issues in 2025.

When Did Cat Stevens Release His Latest Music?

Earlier in September 2025, Yusuf marked a milestone with the release of “On The Road To Findout: Greatest Hits,” described as the definitive career-spanning collection of his profoundly emotive songs from his nearly 60-year recording career. This classic rock news demonstrates that while touring may be on hold, the music lives on!

What Makes This Tour So Special?

The “Cat On The Road To Findout – An Evening Of Tales, Tunes, And Other Mysteries” was designed as an intimate night where stories, songs, and truths intertwine, with Stevens hosting in-depth conversations about his memoir alongside select acoustic performances.

For classic rock enthusiasts, this would have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of his transformation from Steven Demetre Georgiou to Cat Stevens to Yusuf Islam — a journey that’s shaped music history.

The Waiting Game Continues

Despite exhaustive efforts by his team to secure performance visas for Yusuf and his band, the bureaucratic delays proved insurmountable. The production requirements for a tour of this magnitude simply couldn’t be arranged in the compressed time frame remaining.

For now, fans will have to content themselves with streaming his timeless classics like “Wild World,” “Morning Has Broken,” and “Peace Train” while they wait for news about rescheduled dates. And hey, at least we’ve got that incredible memoir to dig into!

The Cat Stevens tour postponed situation is a reminder of how complex international touring has become in today’s political climate. But if anyone knows about patience and spiritual journeys, it’s the man who gave us “The Wind” and “Father and Son.” We’ll be watching for any updates on those future Peace Train dates!

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Charlie Gillingham

🎶 Retired, recharged, and rocking harder than ever — I’m Charlie Gillingham. Founder of Classic Rock Artists, I live for legendary riffs, timeless tracks, and the stories that keep them alive. Let’s turn it up and keep the classics rolling!

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