British heavy metal veterans SAXON have announced the immediate cancellation of 10 summer shows and festival appearances while singer Biff Byford undergoes an emergency procedure.
The recovery period for the operation will sadly mean the immediate cancellation/postponement of 10 shows across a six-week period. As a result, the band will regretfully now not be performing at the below scheduled shows including their much-anticipated performances at Wacken Open Air, Pol’And’Rock, Summer Breeze, E Town Rock, Area 53 and Öland Rock festivals.
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 well-being 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 23 and Neuborn Open Air on August 29. The band are also very much looking forward to their upcoming tours of both Spain, France and the U.K. later this year too. SAXON will still be performing as planned at Rockharz Festival in Ballenstedt in Germany on July 2.”
Affected shows:
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. 01 – Wacken Open Air, Wacken (Germany)
Aug. 09 – E Town Rock, Ekenäs (Finland)
Aug. 16 – Summer Breeze Festival, Dinkelsbühl (Germany)
SAXON is sorry for any inconvenience caused to fans and ask for everyone’s patience and understanding at this time. The band is currently working with all the promoters of the above events to see as to whether any of these shows and appearances can be rescheduled. Area 53 festival in Leoben (Austria) has already confirmed that the band will now be appearing at their 2026 edition instead. More details to follow. The three club shows in Sweden on July 24 (Ekilstuna),July 26 (Linköping) and July 27 (Gävle) have all sadly been cancelled with immediate effect. Tickets buyers should contact their point of purchase for a full refund. Details of any other rescheduled shows will be announced on SAXON‘s web site in due course.
Last August, Biff underwent a “procedure” to treat atrial flutter, a type of heart rhythm abnormality, or arrhythmia, that causes the heart’s upper chambers (atria) to beat too quickly. The singer is 74 years old.
