Rock legends Metallica canceled their stadium tour in Australia and New Zealand a few weeks before the scheduled start of his tour.
In an emotional note to their Australian fans, the remaining members of the group revealed that the group’s leader, James Hetfield, had entered rehab for his persistent addiction issues, forcing the cancellation of the tour that was to begin on 17 October.
Live Nation, the promoter of the band’s Australian tour, said that although all tickets are being returned, they are collaborating with Metallica to get new tour dates.
The cancellation was accompanied by a personal note from three of the four members of Metallica, explaining the reason for this abrupt decision:
“A note from Lars, Kirk and Rob:
We are really sorry to inform our fans and friends that we have to postpone our next tour to Australia and New Zealand.
A Note from Lars, Kirk, and Rob
— Metallica (@Metallica) September 28, 2019
We are truly sorry to inform our fans and friends that we must postpone our upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand.
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As most of you probably know, our brother James suffers from addiction from time to time. Unfortunately, he has now had to go into a treatment program to resume recovery.
We intend to visit your area of the world as soon as your health and your schedule allow. We will let you know as soon as possible.
Once again, we are devastated by the fact that we have disturbed so many of you, especially our most loyal fans, who often travel long distances to watch our shows. We appreciate your understanding and support for James and, as always, we thank you for being part of our Metallica family. “
Hetfield’s past addiction issues were well documented in the 2004 documentary A Kind of Monster . In an Interview 2017 , the rocker explained that he was sober for 15 years and that the “fear” had greatly motivated the abandonment of drugs and alcohol.
“Losing my family is what scared me so much, it’s the goal I touched, that my family will leave because of the behaviors I brought home from home” did he declare.
In the same interview, Hetfield, who has three children, and his 22-year-old wife, Francesca Tomasi, said he found it extremely beneficial to go to a treatment facility.
“What worked for me was 7 weeks somewhere, like tearing you apart, tearing up your life, everything you thought about yourself or anything, everything you thought you had, your family , your career, anything, gone. You just strip, you’re born. This is how you were when you were born, you were well, you were a good person, come back to that again, then they rebuild you slowly. “
The Australian WorldWired Tour of Metallica was announced in March of this year. The group was scheduled to perform the first concert of the tour at Optus Stadium in Perth on October 17th. This will be the first of eight stadium dates in Australia and New Zealand, including one night at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium and two appointments at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
All dates are now listed as “postponed” on the Metallica Official Website, Live Nation displays the same dates as “canceled”.
All tickets purchased for shows in Australia and New Zealand will be fully refunded – you will find information on the refund. here (Aus) and here (NZ).
More details on how to obtain your refund are below.
— Metallica (@Metallica) September 28, 2019
AUS – https://t.co/IYnOmWBul6
NZ – https://t.co/hUpUolbNfj
Enhanced Experience & Black Tickets –https://t.co/xUyPNK0j8y
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The tour would have been Metallica’s first in Australia since 2013 and the first shows in New Zealand since 2010.