British heavy metal legends SAXON have been forced to cancel a string of summer appearances as frontman Biff Byford prepares to undergo an emergency medical procedure.
In an official statement, the band announced that Byford’s health condition requires immediate attention, and the subsequent recovery period will unfortunately impact SAXON’s ability to perform live over the next six weeks. As a result, ten scheduled shows, including several major festival appearances, have been canceled or postponed.
The affected performances include high-profile sets at Wacken Open Air (Germany), Pol’And’Rock Festival (Poland), Summer Breeze (Germany), E Town Rock (Estonia), Area 53 Festival (Austria), and Öland Rock (Sweden), among others. These shows were part of SAXON‘s highly anticipated summer touring plans in support of their ongoing celebration of British heavy metal heritage.
A spokesperson for Saxon’s management company said: “SAXON were so looking forward to performing at all the below Summer festivals and events, but the health and wellbeing of the band obviously has to come first. It goes without saying that all in SAXON are gutted that they will be unable to perform but look forward to hopefully being back on stage in time to play both Trutnoff Open Air Festival in Czech Republic on August 23rd and Neuborn Open Air on August 29th. The band are also very much looking forward to their upcoming tours of both Spain, France and the UK later this year too.”
SAXON will still be performing as planned at Rockharz Festival in Ballenstedt in Germany this week on July 2nd.
Affected shows are as follows:
JUL 12 – Area 53 Festival, Leoben (Austria)
JUL 24 – Lokomotivat, Ekilstuna (Sweden)
JUL 25 – Öland Rock Festival, Borgholm (Sweden)
JUL 26 – Garden, Linköping (Sweden)
JUL 27 – Furuvik, Gävle (Sweden)
JUL 29 – Turbinenhalle 2, Oberhausen (Germany)
JUL 31 – Pol’And’Rock Festival, Czaplinek (Poland)
AUG 1 – Wacken Open Air, Wacken (Germany)
AUG 9 – E Town Rock, Ekenäs (Finland)
AUG 16 – Summer Breeze Festival, Dinkelsbühl (Germany)
SAXON are sorry for any inconvenience caused to fans and ask for everyone’s patience and understanding at this time. The band are currently working with all the promoters of the above events to see as to whether any of these shows and appearances can be rescheduled.
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