Lady Gaga postpones Paris 'Monster Ball' shows due to strike

(AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK)

Pop superstar Lady Gaga has postponed her two concerts in Paris this week due to strikes and protests in and around the French capital, announced the singer via her website on October 21. Originally planned for October 22 and 23, the shows at Paris Bercy are re-scheduled for December 19 and 20.

A statement from Live Nation posted on the singer's website cited "the logistical difficulties due to the strikes in France" as the reason for the change.

"Unfortunately, as there is no certainty that the trucks can make it to the Bercy for this weekend's shows, the Lady Gaga performances are now postponed," said the statement.

Ticket-holders for the postponed shows can exchange tickets or claim refunds now through November 14.

Lady Gaga's concerts are the first major shows to be affected by the French strikes and protests, which are in response to proposed plans to raise the country's retirement age.

Gaga is currently in the midst of her Monster Ball tour, which the singer describes as "the first-ever pop-electro opera" and which includes performances of music from her two albums, The Fame and The Fame Monster, which have sold  well over 10 million copies worldwide. The international tour began in late 2009 and is scheduled to continue through 2011.

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