Justin Bieber fans in Vancouver in disbelief over apparent tour snub

TORONTO - Vancouver-based Justin Bieber fans were in disbelief on Thursday after the 18-year-old pop star announced an extensive North American tour that didn't include a local stop.

In support of his upcoming third disc "Believe," Bieber will kick off a nearly four-month trek on Sept. 29 in Glendale, Ariz., with stops planned in Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto's cavernous Rogers Centre.

Fans online were even more disappointed given that Bieber's opening act on the tour is Carly Rae Jepsen from nearby Mission, B.C., the breakout pop star behind the No. 1 single "Call Me Maybe."

Bieber and Jepsen's manager, Scooter Braun, took to Twitter Wednesday to try to calm outraged fans.

"U really think we would put (Jepsen) on the tour and not hit Vancouver?? Sit tight :)," he wrote to his 1.5 million-plus followers.

Afterwards, unconfirmed rumours circulated that Bieber would indeed visit Vancouver on Oct. 10 between gigs in Tacoma, Wash., and Calgary.

Still, many fans weren't satisfied.

A day after Braun issued his message, "#vancouverwantsBELIEVETOUR" was still the top trending topic locally in Vancouver as fans pooled their Bieber-related angst.

"Even if you aren't from Vancouver, PLEASE HELP," pleaded a poster with the handle @bieberhumble who urged other fans to spread the word. "Beliebers help Beliebers right?"

The presale for fan club members kicked off Wednesday while general ticket sales open June 1 in Canada.

"Believe" will hit stores June 19, featuring collaborations with Drake, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj and Big Sean.

Each of the Stratford, Ont., native's previous two releases debut "My World 2.0" and holiday collection "Under the Mistletoe" were certified triple platinum in Canada, and first single "Boyfriend" has already topped the Canadian charts and spawned an official video with nearly 48 million views on YouTube.