The renowned British heavy metal group Saxon has had to call off several summer performances due to their lead vocalist, Biff Byford, needing urgent surgical intervention.
On Monday, the band disclosed that they would be cancelling or postponing 10 summer concerts and festival appearances. This includes their eagerly awaited shows at such high-profile festivals as Wacken Open Air, Pol’And’Rock, Summer Breeze, E Town Rock, Area 53, and Öland Rock.
A representative for the band expressed their disappointment, stating, “Saxon was excited about their scheduled appearances at these summer festivals; however, the health and safety of our members must always be our top priority.” The spokesperson continued, “Everyone in the band is deeply upset over these cancellations but remains hopeful that they will return to perform at the Trutnoff Open Air Festival in the Czech Republic on August 23 and at Neuborn Open Air on August 29. They are also looking forward to upcoming tours in Spain, France, and the U.K. later this year. Saxon is still set to play at the Rockharz Festival in Ballenstedt, Germany on July 2 as planned.”
While the exact nature of Byford’s medical issue was not detailed, the statement noted that he is expected to need several weeks to recover. The canceled events span over six weeks, starting with the Area 53 Festival in Austria on July 12 and concluding with the Summer Breeze Festival in Dinkelsbühl, Germany on August 16. Below is the complete list of shows that have been canceled.
Since its founding by Byford in 1977, the group has cultivated a dedicated fan base. They apologized for any inconvenience caused by these changes and asked for patience and understanding during this challenging time. They also mentioned that they are in talks with promoters about potentially rescheduling the shows.
Although the specific surgical procedure Byford is undergoing this time was not disclosed, he has had surgery in the past. In August 2024, he underwent treatment for atrial flutter, a cardiac arrhythmia, according to Mayo Clinic. Byford described his recovery from that procedure as feeling as though he’d been struck by a train, but noted that he was recovering at home.
List of Saxon’s 2025 Show Cancellations
- Jul 12: Leoben Area 53 Festival, Austria
- Jul 24: Ekilstuna Lokomotivat, Sweden
- Jul 25: Borgholm Öland Rock Festival, Sweden
- Jul 26: Linköping Garden, Sweden
- Jul 27: Gävle Furuvik, Sweden
- Jul 29: Oberhausen Turbinenhalle 2, Germany
- Jul 31: Czaplinek Pol’And’Rock Festival, Poland
- Aug 01: Wacken Open Air, Germany
- Aug 09: Finland Stallörsparken, Ekenäs
- Aug 16: Dinkelsbühl Summer Breeze Festival, Germany
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