Cat Stevens cancels New York show

Yusuf, the singer better known as Cat Stevens, has blamed scalpers for cancelling his concert in New York.

Yusuf, also known as Cat Stevens, has blamed scalpers for cancelling his concert in New York. (AAP)

Yusuf, better known as Cat Stevens, is cancelling his New York performance just weeks after announcing a six-city tour.

Yusuf said on his Facebook page on Wednesday he would not keep the New York engagement because its requirement for paper tickets has led to exorbitant resale prices.

Stevens, also known as Yusuf, the name he claimed after converting to Islam, announced earlier this month he planned a concert tour behind the blues album he's releasing on October 27. The concerts are his first series of shows in North America since 1976.

Stevens says he is a longtime supporter of paperless tickets "and avoiding scalpers," and hopes to return to New York City in the future.