Deep Purple postpones 2026 European tour due to Ian Gillan health issue

Deep Purple has postponed the remainder of its 2026 European and UK tour following a medical emergency involving lead singer Ian Gillan.

Tour Postponement

The band announced the decision to postpone the tour after Gillan required "urgent medical attention" following a medical problem in Leipzig. The announcement follows the postponement of two scheduled performances in Leipzig and Hamburg over the weekend.

In a statement, the 81-year-old singer said, "I had a medical problem whilst in Leipzig, which required urgent attention at the hospital. I was hoping that I would get the all-clear to hang on until the end of the tour, but there are very serious risks involved in me doing so."

Gillan stated that the decision to postpone the tour "on the advice of my medical team and management" was made because continuing would present "very serious risks."

Schedule and Ticketing

The postponement affects the remainder of the Splat! World Tour through Europe and the UK. The band was originally scheduled to perform in several locations this November, including:

• Newcastle
• Glasgow
• Birmingham
• Manchester
• London

Deep Purple stated that "all tickets purchased will be valid for the rescheduled dates." The band expressed "deep disappointment" regarding the cancellation of the Leipzig and Hamburg shows and noted they are focused on finding a suitable time to reschedule.

While the European and UK dates are postponed until further notice, the band has scheduled shows for December in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, though it has not been confirmed if those will proceed as planned.

Why it matters

Ian Gillan has been the lead singer for Deep Purple since 1992, having previously joined the group in 1969. The current band lineup includes Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey, and Simon McBride.

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Sources

• rte.ie: Deep Purple postpone tour after Ian Gillan's health issue
• oxfordmail.co.uk: Heavy rock legends postpone shows after singer 'hospitalised' | Oxford Mail
• ultimateclassicrock.com: Deep Purple Postpones Remaining 2026 European Concerts

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.