Barry Manilow Postpones Las Vegas Shows Amid Lung Cancer Recovery

Musician Barry Manilow has postponed his scheduled May 2026 residency shows in Las Vegas as he continues his recovery from lung cancer.

The singer announced the decision via an Instagram Story posted on May 2, 2026, where he shared a health update following a recent medical consultation. While Manilow reported positive news regarding his overall physical condition, he noted that he is not yet physically prepared to return to the stage in Nevada.

Good news! I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I’m making great progress and look great! Well of course I do! Thank you very much! All the training and exercising I’ve put in is paying off. He did say, however, that I’m not quite ready for Vegas. So I won’t be able to return for our May shows at Westgate Las Vegas.

Barry Manilow, via Instagram

Despite the postponement of the May dates, Manilow expressed confidence in his upcoming schedule. He stated that he expects to return to the Westgate Las Vegas stage in July 2026, describing the venue as his home away from home.

Recovery Timeline and Diagnosis

The singer’s health challenges began in December 2025, when he revealed he would undergo surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his lung. According to Manilow, the discovery was a result of pure luck, occurring during a precautionary MRI scan while he was being treated for bronchitis that had lasted several weeks.

At the time of the diagnosis, Manilow confirmed that the cancer had been detected early enough that he would not require radiation or chemotherapy.

The path to recovery has seen various fluctuations. In January 2026, Manilow issued an update stating he felt better following the surgery, though he subsequently cancelled his planned concerts for the Valentine’s Day weekend.

By February 2026, the recovery process faced a setback. Manilow postponed his planned 2026 farewell arena tour following what he described as a very depressing visit to his surgeon. During that period, he informed fans that despite training on a treadmill three times a day, his stamina was severely limited, leaving him unable to sing more than three songs in succession without needing to stop.

Upcoming UK Tour Dates

While the Las Vegas residency is on hold for May, Manilow indicated that he will be ready for his June 2026 arena shows in the United Kingdom. The tour is scheduled to begin in Glasgow on June 9, 2026, and will conclude with a performance at London’s O2 Arena on June 17, 2026.

The confirmed UK itinerary is as follows:

• June 9: OVO Hydro, Glasgow
• June 11: First Direct Arena, Leeds
• June 13: M&amp. S Bank Arena, Liverpool
• June 14: Utilita Arena, Cardiff
• June 16: bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
• June 17: The O2, London

Career Context and Final Tours

These upcoming performances follow a period of significant farewell activity for the artist. Manilow had previously been performing his final North American arena tour.

In 2025, he played a series of dates in the UK that were billed as his final performances in the region, which included a residency at the London Palladium. Manilow noted the emotional significance of that venue, stating that the London Palladium was where he began his love affair with the British public in 1978.

He had expressed a desire to end his full concerts in Britain at the same location where those performances began.