American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold has canceled their appearance just one day before the opening of the 2026 Busan International Rock Festival. Disappointment is growing among fans as their first concert in South Korea in 11 years fell through the day before the performance.
On the afternoon of October 1, the Busan International Rock Festival organizers made an urgent announcement on their official social media, stating, "Today, just one day ahead of the opening of the 2026 Busan International Rock Festival, we received the unfortunate news from AVENGED SEVENFOLD that their performance scheduled for Friday, October 2, cannot take place due to health reasons of a member."
They continued, "Both we and the artist have poured our efforts into concert preparations, including production, since last year up until right before the performance to present the best stage. However, it is currently difficult for the member to board a flight to South Korea due to health reasons." They added, "Both the artist and our team feel deep regret that we cannot share the stage we worked so long and diligently to prepare with the audience. We sincerely apologize to the audience who has been waiting for the show and ask for your generous understanding regarding this unavoidable situation."
The organizers also shared that the band "expressed deep regret over not being able to meet the audience on this stage and conveyed their wish to visit South Korea again in the near future."
However, questions are being raised among fans regarding the circumstances of the cancellation. Avenged Sevenfold had just performed at SGC Hall Ariake in Tokyo, Japan, on September 30 as part of their "ASIA TOUR 2026 JAPAN," and the band's official Instagram shared a thank-you post from the Japanese band EMNW, who served as the opening act that day. With the cancellation notice for the South Korea show delivered the very next day after wrapping up the Tokyo gig citing "health reasons," and with no specific details provided about the member's condition, reactions showing difficulty accepting the explanation have emerged.
Formed in California, United States, in 1999, Avenged Sevenfold previously performed in South Korea for the first time in January 2015 as part of the Hyundai Card Super Series. This appearance at the Busan International Rock Festival was set to mark their first visit to the country in 11 years, where they were slated to headline Day 1.
Hosted by the Busan Metropolitan City and organized by the Busan Culture & Tourism Festival Organizing Committee, the 2026 Busan International Rock Festival runs for three days from October 2 to October 4. On October 2, the lineup includes Broccoli, you too, Lee Seung-yoon, Jang Beom-june, N.Flying, and Xdinary Heroes. On October 3, MEGADETH headlines the stage alongside JANNABI, TOUCHED, WOODZ, and KWON JINAH. On the final day, October 4, The Libertines, Songolmae, CNBLUE, HANRORO, and others are scheduled to meet the festivalgoers.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)
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