Metallica cancel Louder Than Life and Sonic Temple festival dates
Due to James Hetfield’s ongoing fight against addiction.
James Hetfield of Metallica performs on stage at BC Place on August 14, 2017 in Vancouver, Canada. Image: Andrew Chin / Getty Images
Metallica have cancelled their appearances at the Louder Than Life and Sonic Temple festivals.
In a statement released on the band’s website, frontman James Hetfield explained that while the decision to cancel the two tour dates wasn’t easy, his ongoing battle with addiction is of utmost importance now. “As part of my continuing effort to get and stay healthy, I have critical recovery events on those weekends that cannot be moved. I apologize to all of our fans who have bought tickets for these festivals,” the singer said.
Hetfield, however, reassured fans that “therapy is going well”, and emphasised that “the band will play all other announced 2020 shows”.
Read the full statement here:
The frontman performed for the first time post-rehab last Thursday (20 February) at the Eddie Money tribute show where he played an acoustic rendition of Money’s smash hit, Baby Hold On. The event was held to raise funds in support of the USC Eddie Money Cancer Research Fund.
Following Hetfield’s admission into rehab on 27 September last year, Metallica have since cancelled their Australian and New Zealand tour, and postponed their second annual All Within My Hands charity concert. The latter is now set to take place on 12 September.
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