There has been a lot of speculation and questions surrounding the recent cancellation of Judas Priest’s upcoming show. The legendary heavy metal band was scheduled to perform on October 20th, but the show was abruptly called off just a few weeks prior. As expected, this news left many fans confused and disappointed. In this article, we will explore some of the key questions around why Judas Priest decided to cancel their highly anticipated gig.
When and where was the Judas Priest show supposed to take place?
Judas Priest was slated to perform on October 20th, 2023 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The show was part of the band’s 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour, which they launched earlier this year to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The tour had already hit major cities across North America and Europe, and the Brooklyn show was going to be one of the last stops on the U.S. leg before the tour headed to Australia and New Zealand.
The band had been promoting the Brooklyn gig for months. Pre-sales started back in May when the tour was first announced. Judas Priest even did several interviews with New York-based publications to hype up the show leading up to the cancellation announcement.
When did Judas Priest announce that the show was cancelled?
Judas Priest notified fans on September 27th, 2023 that the October 20th show in Brooklyn was being cancelled. The announcement came via the band’s official social media channels. It simply stated that due to “scheduling conflicts,” the show “will no longer be taking place.” Tickets would be fully refunded at the point of purchase.
The news came as a shock, since the show was just a few weeks away and tickets had been on sale for months. It was also one of only a handful of U.S. shows left on Judas Priest’s tour schedule. The timing of the abrupt cancellation left fans scratching their heads.
Did the band give any other reasons for the cancellation?
In the original cancellation announcement, Judas Priest did not provide any details beyond “scheduling conflicts.” This vague explanation frustrated fans who had been looking forward to the concert. Speculation began swirling about what the actual reasons could be.
A couple weeks later, frontman Rob Halford acknowledged the cancellation in an interview, stating that it came down to the band’s health. He explained that touring consistently year after year can be both grueling and exhausting, especially for a veteran act like Judas Priest who have been doing it for half a century. The Brooklyn show ultimately got cut so the band could take some time off to rest and recharge.
While this provided helpful context, Halford did not share specifics about what health issues individual members may have been experiencing or what recovery plans they had in place. But it seemed to confirm that the cancellation was health-related and the “scheduling conflict” was finding time for self-care.
Did Rob Halford or other band members have any health problems publicly known at the time?
None of the Judas Priest members had any major health issues that were publicly known around the time of the cancellation. However, it’s likely that the general wear and tear of touring was starting to catch up with the rockers, several of whom are in their 70s.
In an interview a couple years prior, Halford had opened up about dealing with effects of aging, such as muscle loss, that require more recovery time. Guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner have also talked about the challenges of keeping up their high-intensity touring schedules as older musicians.
While no specific ailments were announced, it seems age and exhaustion were major factors. The band may have also collectively agreed they needed a break for maintenance even if they didn’t have acute health issues.
Were there any signs leading up to the cancellation that suggested health concerns?
There were no obvious public signs that the Judas Priest members were struggling with health problems in the lead-up to the cancellation. They maintained a busy touring schedule over the summer playing festivals and headlining shows.
That said, careful Judas Priest fans may have noticed the band had been leaving more days open between tour dates than normal. This potentially provided more recovery time as they navigated the demands of life on the road.
In hindsight, it seems the band was strategic in spreading out its schedule to conserve energy for the long haul. But this adjustment was a subtle change not directly attributed to health reasons at the time.
Is it known if any other shows besides Brooklyn were affected?
As of now, the Brooklyn show appears to be the only date from Judas Priest’s 50th anniversary tour that was impacted. The band canceled that one gig, but the remainder of their tour schedule moved forward as planned.
After wrapping up the U.S. leg in early October, Judas Priest headed down to Australia and New Zealand for a string of shows. They then did a few dates in Japan before finishing the tour in late October.
The fact that these other international concerts happened without issue implies the band canceled for recovery time rather than acute medical concerns. If a health problem had occurred, it likely would have disrupted more of the tour plans.
Could the cancellation have anything to do with Richie Faulkner’s health incident in 2021?
When speculating about potential health issues, some fans have wondered if guitarist Richie Faulkner’s major medical emergency in 2021 could be related. During a show that year, Faulkner suffered an acute aortic aneurysm on stage and had to undergo open heart surgery.
However, Faulkner made a full recovery after his surgery and was back touring with no restrictions in 2022. By all accounts his health has been good since then with no recurring issues from the aneurysm incident. As one of the younger members, he seems less likely to be the one needing recovery time.
So while Faulkner’s prior health scare was alarming at the time, it does not appear to be linked to the recent cancellation. His health has been stable since his surgery with no signs of lingering problems.
How did fans react to the cancellation news?
As expected, fans expressed disappointment when news broke that the Brooklyn show was canceled. This would have been one of Judas Priest’s only area appearances on their current tour, so local metalheads were hugely let down.
Initial reactions included anger and frustration on social media and forums. Many fans had booked travel and accommodations for the October date, so canceling last minute created logistical headaches for those who had already made plans.
There was also sadness and concern stemming from both the lack of an initial explanation and general worry about what health issues could be plaguing the legendary band.
However, once Rob Halford clarified that the band just needed rest, fan sentiment shifted to being understanding and supportive. Followers agreed older musicians need to listen to their bodies and avoid burnout.
Have tickets been refunded?
Yes, tickets for the cancelled Brooklyn show have been fully refunded. The refunds were processed automatically through Ticketmaster for fans who purchased tickets online or by phone.
For those who bought tickets directly at the Barclays Center box office, refunds were made available at the point of purchase upon presentation of the original tickets.
Fans who booked travel and accommodations separately from tickets had to handle those cancellations and refunds on their own based on individual policies.
After the frustration of the abrupt cancellation, smooth ticket refunds helped ease the disappointment for fans.
When will Judas Priest tour again?
No official details on future touring plans have been shared yet. The band finished up their 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour in October 2023, marking the end of their current worldwide run.
It’s likely Judas Priest will take most if not all of 2024 off from extensive road work. This will allow the veteran rockers time to rest and handle any medical care needed after completing a massive tour during their 50th anniversary year.
Fans can probably expect occasional one-off shows or festival appearances in 2024 vs. a full-blown tour. A more robust outing may happen in 2025 or beyond, but has not been confirmed.
The main message is Judas Priest is stepping back from major touring commitments in the near future to prioritize health and recovery after celebrating five decades of metal mastery.
Will they ever reschedule the Brooklyn show?
Unfortunately for New York area fans, it appears unlikely that Judas Priest will reschedule the canceled Barclays Center date on this current tour cycle. Since the show was called off due to band health concerns, there is no plan to rebook it later.
Of course, the possibility exists that they could schedule a new Brooklyn gig on a future tour once they are ready to hit the road again. But the October 2023 date is permanently canceled with no replacement show on the schedule.
Fans will have to wait and see if Judas Priest comes back through the New York region on their next rounds of touring in 2024 or beyond. For now, the band is focused on rest and recovery rather than makeup shows.
Could Rob Halford or others still perform the Brooklyn show solo?
It’s not very likely that Rob Halford or other Judas Priest members will carry out the Brooklyn gig as solo acts. While they have done individual projects outside the band, canceling a major tour date seems to signal needed downtime.
Halford’s priority appears to be resting his body and voice after a rigorous year of touring. Attempting a makeup show alone would somewhat defeat the purpose of the cancellation.
Furthermore, fans don’t want a piecemeal solo show. They want to see the full Judas Priest band back at full power once health concerns are addressed. A partial appearance wouldn’t have the same thrill.
Will this cancellation affect Rob Halford’s voice long term?
While Rob Halford’s voice understandably can’t match his soaring range from Judas Priest’s early years, he still delivers solid vocal performances. Fans attending shows in 2022 and 2023 heard Halford’s signature screaming vocals throughout the set lists.
However,Rigorous year-after-year touring can strain any singer’s voice, especially someone in their 70s. This likely played a role in the band’s decision to take extended rest.
Fortunately, Halford’s voice will benefit from an extended break off the road. With proper vocal rest, there is no reason to expect permanent impacts or accelerated decline of his singing skills. This respite is likely to do wonders protecting his instrument long-term.
Have other bands canceled shows or tours for health reasons?
Unfortunately, musicians canceling concerts for health reasons is not uncommon, especially with veteran acts. The demands of touring can truly take a toll.
Some examples of other major artists who have cut shows short include:
- Elton John postponed several 2022 dates after testing positive for Covid-19, needing time to fully recover.
- The Rolling Stones had to curtail their 2021 tour when Mick Jagger tested positive for Covid.
- Eric Clapton has cancelled shows sporadically since the 1990s due to health issues like peripheral neuropathy.
- Ozzy Osbourne recently called off his 2023 tour to seek ongoing treatment for injuries sustained in an accident.
Judas Priest joins an unfortunately long list of bands that have had to prioritize health over touring over the years. Their decision shows the wisdom that comes with experience – knowing when to step back and listen to your body as a musician.
Conclusion
While Judas Priest’s canceled Brooklyn gig came as a disappointment, the decision appears to stem from a responsible place of preserving the band’s health and longevity. The vagueness of “scheduling conflicts” frustrated fans initially, but greater context around physical exhaustion shows why the break is necessary.
Now that the dust has settled, most supporters agree it’s better for an aging band to take the rest they need. Pushing forward at the expense of health risks burnout or even the end of an incredible decades-long career. A delayed show is a small price to pay for keeping these metal gods shredding as long as possible.
Here’s hoping some rest and recovery allows Judas Priest to get back on the road in full force soon. When they do return, expect vocal cords to be rested, guitars fully amped, and fans’ horns held high as the classics roar to life once more.
| Date | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 20th, 2023 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center |
| September 27th, 2023 | Cancellation Announcement via Social Media | |
| May 2023 | Pre-sales Begin for Tour | |
| October 2022 | North America | Tour Leg |
| September 2022 | Europe | Tour Leg |
| 2021 | Richie Faulkner Aortic Aneurysm | |
| 2024 | Expected Hiatus From Touring |
