The Foo Fighters have cancelled all upcoming tour dates in the wake of the death of Taylor Hawkins at just 50 years old.
The band’s long-time drummer was found dead in his hotel room over the weekend while on tour with the band in South America.
The rock legends were due to perform at Emirates Old Trafford this June, alongside shows in Birmingham and London.
But a statement posted earlier today has confirmed that all tour dates have been cancelled in the light of the ‘staggering loss’, including the planned Manchester gig on 25 June.
Foo Fighters have cancelled all gigs after the death of Taylor Hawkins. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Foo Fighters wrote: “It is with great sadness that Foo Fighters confirm the cancellation of all upcoming tour dates in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins.
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“We’re sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won’t be seeing one another as planned.
“Instead, let’s take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we’ve made together. With Love, Foo Fighters.”
Hawkins had been a member of Foo Fighters since 1997 and has been described by frontman Dave Grohl as ‘my brother from another mother, my best friend, a man for whom I would take a bullet’.
Following his death, tributes poured in from across the rock music world, including from Liam Gallagher, Travis Barker, Slash and Ozzy Osbourne.
The news was initially announced on the band’s social media channels early on Saturday morning, with a statement that read: “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins.
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“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.
“Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”
A toxicology report has now found that there were 10 substances in Hawkins’ body when he died, including marijuana, antidepressants and opioids.
Ticket-holders will be contacted by their point of purchase for updates on refunds.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
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Deep Purple announce huge Manchester show at the iconic AO Arena
Daisy Jackson
Rock royalty Deep Purple have just announced a huge Manchester gig at the AO Arena.
These pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock will be heading out on a tour next year that includes shows in Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
And Deep Purple will be performing on the most iconic stage in Manchester, with a gig at the AO Arena next winter.
Even five decades on, the group remain one of the world’s most revered live acts, with 50 years’ worth of chart-topping albums, sold-out tours, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Perhaps best known for their legendary hit Smoke On The Water, along with songs like Highway Star and Child In Time, the group are listed as one of the genre’s most influential bands of all time.
Child In Time was reworked to soundtrack Netflix’s smash-hit series Stranger Things, capturing Deep Purple’s timeless and lasting influence.
The British rockers show no sign of slowing down, releasing a critically-acclaimed album in 2024.
They’ll be supported by Mammoth, fronted by Grammy Award-winning ssongwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Wolfgang Van Halen.
Also joining Deep Purple for their AO Arena gig in Manchester will be Jayler, fast-rising UK rockers.
Deep Purple will play at the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday 22 November, 2026 – tickets go on sale from 10am on Friday 21 November and you can get yours HERE.
Deep Purple 2026 UK tour dates
Wednesday 18 November – Newcastle Utilita Arena
Thursday 19 November – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Saturday 21 November – BP Pulse Arena, Birmingham
Sunday 22 November – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday 24 November – Eventim Apollo, London
Featured image: Jim Rakete
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Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates
Daisy Jackson
Kings of Leon have just announced a short run of UK shows for next year, which includes an arena gig here in Manchester.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning rock band will be performing at the Co-op Live arena, along with two other British dates in Leeds and Glasgow.
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest alternative rock bands in the world, and never fail to sell out arenas in Manchester when they perform here.
The group of brothers (plus one cousin) have headlined some of the world’s most iconic festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, as well as reclaiming an all-time attendance record with a fifth night at Hyde Park in London last year.
Kings of Leon have been dominating charts for more than 20 years, ever since the release of their debut album Youth & Young Manhood in 2003.
They now have nine studio albums, including last year’s Can We Please Have Fun, which (as with all their albums so far) comfortably reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
The band is made up of Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, and just last week they dropped an EP with four new songs.
Now, it’s another brief run of live shows for the UK, with Kings of Leon performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Tickets for Kings of Leon in Manchester will go on sale from 9am on Friday 21 November, and you can get yours HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
30th March 2022 
