🎸❤️ Heartbreaking news for rock fans, butt! Legendary DEEP PURPLE frontman IAN GILLAN has confirmed that the band’s remaining UK and European concerts have been postponed following a medical problem that required urgent hospital treatment in Leipzig, Germany. The 81-year-old vocalist had hoped to finish the tour, but doctors have warned that continuing would involve serious risks to his health.
All six UK concerts, including shows in Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London, have been postponed until further notice. Ticket holders have been advised to keep their original tickets while the band works towards rescheduling the performances.
Well, this certainly isn’t the news we wanted to hear, Riff Report crew.
One of the greatest voices in the history of hard rock has been forced to take a break from performing.
And while thousands of fans will understandably be disappointed, there’s something considerably more important than another evening of thunderous guitar riffs and legendary rock anthems.
Ian Gillan’s health.
On Monday 2 November 2026, DEEP PURPLE released an official statement confirming that Gillan had experienced a medical problem while in Leipzig, Germany, which required urgent attention at a hospital.
The incident initially resulted in two German concerts being postponed over the weekend.
However, after further medical advice, the singer and his management team made the difficult decision to postpone the remainder of the band’s European and UK tour.
And judging by Gillan’s words, this wasn’t a decision taken lightly.
The legendary frontman had hoped to receive medical clearance to complete the remaining performances.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.
The medical advice was clear: continuing to tour would present potentially serious health risks.
Now, we all love a proper rock concert here at The Riff Report.
Give us a packed arena, a thunderous guitar riff and a singer capable of shaking the foundations, and we’re happy as a Welshman finding an extra tenner in his festival jacket!
But let’s get one thing straight.
No concert is worth putting somebody’s health in danger.
And after more than five decades of extraordinary music, Ian Gillan has absolutely nothing left to prove.
❤️ Ian Gillan Releases Personal Statement Following Hospital Treatment
The announcement was published on DEEP PURPLE’s official website and social media channels on Monday 2 November.
Gillan began by thanking fans for the messages of encouragement and support he had received since news of his medical emergency became public.
He then explained:
“I had a medical problem whilst in Leipzig which required urgent attention at the hospital.”
The singer revealed that he had hoped doctors would give him permission to continue until the end of the tour.
However, he acknowledged that doing so carried “very serious risks”.
Following discussions with his medical team and management, the decision was made to postpone the remaining European and UK concerts until further notice.
Gillan apologised for the inconvenience caused to ticket holders and thanked everyone for their understanding.
The message was signed simply:
IG
It was a short, sincere statement from a musician who has spent much of his life performing for audiences around the world.
And the reaction from fans has understandably been one of concern.
Because while DEEP PURPLE’s music has been an important part of rock history for generations, the person behind that unmistakable voice matters far more than any touring schedule.
🏥 What Is Wrong With Ian Gillan?
At the time of writing, the precise nature of Ian Gillan’s medical problem has not been disclosed.
The singer has confirmed that he needed urgent hospital attention while in Leipzig.
However, neither Gillan nor the band have publicly announced a specific diagnosis.
There has also been no confirmed date for his return to performing.
And that’s where we need to be sensible.
The internet is already full of enough rumours, speculation and people claiming to know things they haven’t got a clue about.
We won’t be adding to that noise.
Until Gillan or his representatives provide further information, his medical circumstances should remain private.
What has been confirmed is that medical professionals advised against continuing the tour.
And that’s more than enough reason to put the concerts on hold.
🇩🇪 The Problems Began In Leipzig, Germany
The situation first became public on Saturday 31 October 2026.
DEEP PURPLE were scheduled to perform at Leipzig’s QI Arena as part of their ongoing SPLAT! World Tour.
However, shortly before the performance, the band announced that Gillan had been hospitalised following a medical emergency.
The concert could not go ahead.
A second performance, scheduled for Sunday 1 November at Hamburg’s Sporthalle, was also postponed.
Initially, the band expressed its intention to find suitable replacement dates for both German concerts.
There was still hope that Gillan might be able to recover sufficiently to continue the tour.
But by Monday 2 November, that possibility had been ruled out.
Following further discussions with doctors and management, the decision was made to postpone the remaining European and UK performances.
For a touring operation as large as DEEP PURPLE, that creates enormous logistical challenges.
There are concert venues to rearrange.
Travel plans to change.
Production schedules to reorganise.
And thousands of ticket holders waiting for information.
But sometimes the right decision is also the difficult one.
And in this situation, the band’s priority has quite rightly been Gillan’s wellbeing.
🇬🇧 All Six DEEP PURPLE UK Concerts Postponed!
Right then, butt.
Here’s the important information for British fans who were planning to attend the band’s November concerts.
DEEP PURPLE had been scheduled to return to the United Kingdom for six performances across five cities.
The tour was due to open in Newcastle before visiting Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London.
Unfortunately, every UK performance has now been postponed.
🎟️ Affected UK Tour Dates
| Original date | City | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 18 November 2026 | Newcastle | Utilita Arena | Postponed |
| Thursday 19 November 2026 | Glasgow | OVO Hydro | Postponed |
| Saturday 21 November 2026 | Birmingham | bp pulse LIVE | Postponed |
| Sunday 22 November 2026 | Manchester | AO Arena | Postponed |
| Tuesday 24 November 2026 | London | Eventim Apollo | Postponed |
| Wednesday 25 November 2026 | London | Royal Albert Hall | Postponed |
No replacement dates have been confirmed as of Tuesday 3 November 2026.
For fans who had already purchased tickets, the announcement is understandably disappointing.
Some will have booked hotels.
Others will have arranged transport or time away from work.
And many will have been looking forward to hearing classics such as Smoke On The Water, Highway Star, Black Night and Perfect Strangers performed live.
For some concertgoers, it might even have been their first opportunity to see DEEP PURPLE.
But there’s an important distinction worth remembering.
These concerts have been postponed, not officially declared permanently cancelled.
The band and its representatives are working towards finding suitable replacement dates.
Whether every show can ultimately be rearranged remains to be confirmed.
🌍 European Concerts Also Affected
The UK isn’t the only part of the tour impacted by Gillan’s medical emergency.
The remaining European performances across Germany, the Netherlands and France have also been postponed.
🎸 Affected European Dates
| Original date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 31 October | Leipzig, Germany | QI Arena |
| 1 November | Hamburg, Germany | Sporthalle |
| 3 November | Dortmund, Germany | Westfalenhalle |
| 4 November | Berlin, Germany | Uber Arena |
| 6 November | Frankfurt, Germany | Festhalle |
| 7 November | Nuremberg, Germany | Arena |
| 9 November | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Ziggo Dome |
| 10 November | Strasbourg, France | Zénith |
| 12 November | Bordeaux, France | Arkéa Arena |
| 13 November | Nantes, France | Zénith |
| 15 November | Lyon, France | LDLC Arena |
Combined with the six British concerts, the disruption affects 17 scheduled performances, including the two original German postponements.
That’s a significant amount of touring to rearrange.
And when you consider the musicians, road crews, promoters, equipment suppliers and venues involved, it’s clear that this decision affects far more people than just those standing onstage.
But ultimately, there’s only one sensible priority.
Making sure Gillan receives the care and time he needs.
🎟️ Already Bought Tickets? Here’s What DEEP PURPLE Fans Need To Know
If you’ve already purchased tickets for one of the postponed concerts, don’t panic and start deleting booking confirmations, mun!
The band’s official announcement states that tickets already purchased will remain valid for rescheduled dates.
Individual UK venues, including Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, Glasgow’s OVO Hydro and Manchester’s AO Arena, have also confirmed the postponements.
What Should Ticket Holders Do?
🎟️ Keep Your Original Tickets
Do not discard physical tickets or delete digital booking confirmations.
📧 Check Your Emails
Your original ticket provider should communicate any confirmed changes, including rearranged dates and applicable refund information.
🏟️ Monitor Official Venue Announcements
Each venue may publish its own updates about ticketing and revised arrangements.
🚆 Check Travel And Accommodation Bookings
If you’ve booked trains, flights or hotels, review the relevant cancellation or amendment conditions.
💰 Don’t Assume Refund Arrangements Are Identical Everywhere
The availability and timing of refunds may depend on individual ticketing providers and the eventual rescheduling arrangements.
Most importantly, don’t rely on rumours circulating through social media.
Wait for official information.
🔗 Official Information
🎸 Read Ian Gillan’s Official Statement
🎟️ DEEP PURPLE – Official Tour Dates
🏟️ Ticketmaster UK – DEEP PURPLE Tickets And Updates
Those are the places worth keeping an eye on as the situation develops.
🌎 What About The December 2026 South American Concerts?
This is another question fans have understandably been asking.
DEEP PURPLE also have concerts scheduled in Latin America during December 2026.
Those dates include performances in Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Mexico.
However, Gillan’s official statement specifically announces the postponement of the remaining European and UK tour.
The band’s official touring calendar continues to list the December Latin American concerts separately, without the same confirmed postponement notices.
Some media reports have grouped those later concerts with the affected dates, so there is uncertainty about their eventual status.
For now, fans should not assume that the December performances are guaranteed to proceed or have all been officially postponed.
Further confirmation from the band and local promoters is needed.
And given the circumstances, it would be sensible for anyone planning international travel to monitor official updates carefully.
🎸 The SPLAT! World Tour Was Celebrating Another Major Chapter
The postponement comes during a particularly active period for DEEP PURPLE.
The band released their 24th studio album, SPLAT!, on 3 July 2026 through earMUSIC.
Produced by longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, the record continued the group’s remarkable commitment to creating new music.
Rather than relying entirely on the enormous catalogue of songs they’ve built since the 1960s, DEEP PURPLE have continued recording, experimenting and exploring new ideas.
The album features material including:
- Arrogant Boy
- Diablo
- Guilt Trippin’
- The Rider
- The Lunatic
- Sacred Land
- Splat!
The album’s concept explores transformation and the idea of humanity moving beyond its physical existence.
And musically, the band have described it as one of their heavier recordings in recent years.
For longtime fans, it represents another fascinating chapter in a career that has stretched across generations.
The accompanying world tour was intended to celebrate the new material while revisiting the songs that made DEEP PURPLE one of the most influential bands in rock history.
And let’s be honest.
There’s no shortage of classics to choose from.
🤘 DEEP PURPLE – One Of The Bands That Helped Create Heavy Rock!
It’s sometimes easy to forget just how influential DEEP PURPLE have been.
The band formed in 1968 and went on to become one of the defining names in the development of hard rock and heavy metal.
Alongside BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPPELIN, they helped establish the musical foundations that countless future bands would build upon.
Their combination of heavy guitar riffs, thunderous drums, powerful vocals and Hammond organ created a sound that was instantly recognisable.
And when Ian Gillan joined the group in 1969, the band’s musical identity entered an extraordinary new era.
🎤 Ian Gillan – One Of Rock’s Greatest Voices
Gillan’s arrival helped establish the classic Mark II line-up.
Together with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, bassist Roger Glover, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice, he recorded some of the most influential albums in hard rock history.
These included:
Deep Purple In Rock (1970)
An album that helped establish the band’s heavier musical direction.
Fireball (1971)
A record demonstrating the group’s musical versatility and extraordinary musicianship.
Machine Head (1972)
The legendary release featuring Smoke On The Water, Highway Star, Lazy and Space Truckin’.
And then there’s the live album Made In Japan.
Recorded in August 1972, it remains one of the most celebrated concert recordings in rock history.
Gillan’s vocal performances were an enormous part of that success.
His ability to move between powerful melodic singing and extraordinary high-register screams helped establish him as one of the genre’s most distinctive frontmen.
Just listen to Child In Time.
That song alone demonstrates why his voice became legendary.
The dramatic build-up.
The emotional intensity.
And those soaring vocal passages.
It’s the sort of performance that makes aspiring singers realise they’ve got a rather long road ahead of them!
Gillan’s career also includes his work as the original recording’s title character in Jesus Christ Superstar, his solo projects and a period fronting BLACK SABBATH.
Not a bad musical CV, is it, butt?
🎹 Who Are The Current Members Of DEEP PURPLE?
The current DEEP PURPLE line-up combines legendary members with more recent musicians who have helped carry the band into its latest era.
🎤 Ian Gillan – Lead Vocals
One of hard rock’s most distinctive singers and a central figure in the band’s history.
🎸 Simon McBride – Guitar
The Northern Irish guitarist joined DEEP PURPLE in 2022, replacing Steve Morse.
His blues-influenced guitar playing has brought fresh energy to the group’s live performances and recordings.
🎸 Roger Glover – Bass Guitar
The legendary bassist and producer has been an essential part of DEEP PURPLE’s musical history since joining in 1969.
🥁 Ian Paice – Drums
The band’s only remaining original member, Paice has provided the rhythmic foundation for DEEP PURPLE since their formation.
🎹 Don Airey – Keyboards
One of rock’s most respected keyboard players, whose extensive career includes work with OZZY OSBOURNE, RAINBOW and numerous other major artists.
Together, they’ve continued delivering DEEP PURPLE’s unmistakable combination of heavy riffs, extraordinary musicianship and classic rock songwriting.
And although the band’s line-up has changed several times throughout its history, that commitment to live performance has remained central to their identity.
🎸 MAMMOTH And JAYLER Were Set To Join The UK Concerts
The postponement also affects the bands originally announced as special guests.
🔥 MAMMOTH – Wolfgang Van Halen’s Hard Rock Powerhouse
Led by Wolfgang Van Halen, MAMMOTH have developed into one of modern hard rock’s most respected outfits.
Wolfgang, the son of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, has worked hard to establish his own musical identity through powerful songwriting and musicianship.
MAMMOTH were scheduled to support DEEP PURPLE on the non-London dates of the UK tour.
🤘 JAYLER – A Rising Force In British Rock
British rockers JAYLER were also announced as special guests.
The band have been building their reputation through energetic live performances and a sound influenced by classic hard rock.
And here at The Riff Report, we love seeing emerging bands sharing stages with established legends.
Those opportunities can introduce younger musicians to enormous new audiences.
Unfortunately, the postponements mean their planned November appearances alongside DEEP PURPLE are also affected.
Any revised support arrangements will need to be confirmed once replacement dates are announced.
🐉 A Message From Wales To Ian Gillan
Here in Wales, we’ve always had a special appreciation for proper hard rock.
From the mighty BUDGIE to the countless bands currently making noise in venues across Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and the Valleys, Cymru has never been short of musicians who know how to turn the amplifiers up.
And DEEP PURPLE’s influence can be heard throughout that musical world.
Just think about how many young guitarists have picked up an instrument and attempted to play the opening riff to Smoke On The Water.
It’s probably been played in more bedrooms, garages and rehearsal rooms than any other guitar riff in history.
And let’s be honest, butt.
Some of those attempts have probably sounded absolutely bloody dreadful!
But that’s the beauty of music.
One simple riff can inspire somebody to begin learning an instrument.
And before long, that person might be playing in a band, writing original songs or performing at their first local gig.
That’s the sort of influence DEEP PURPLE have had across generations.
Ian Gillan has played an enormous part in that legacy.
He’s spent decades touring the world, recording music and entertaining audiences.
And at 81, he’s still been doing something plenty of younger musicians would find demanding.
But everybody has limits.
And recognising when it’s necessary to stop is important.
For now, we sincerely hope Gillan is receiving the care and support he needs.
And we’d like to send our best wishes from Wales to Ian, his family, bandmates and everybody involved.
Get well soon, butt. Cymru’s rock community is rooting for you! 🐉💜
❤️ Rock Fans Rally Around Their Legendary Frontman
Following the announcement, rock fans have been sharing messages of support and well wishes.
That’s hardly surprising.
DEEP PURPLE have been part of people’s lives for decades.
Their songs have provided the soundtrack to countless memories.
First concerts.
Road trips.
Festival weekends.
Records borrowed from parents.
And those unforgettable moments when a particular song takes you straight back to another time in your life.
For some fans, Ian Gillan’s voice has been a familiar presence for more than half a century.
So hearing that he’s experienced a medical emergency is naturally concerning.
But it’s encouraging to see the emphasis on supporting him rather than demanding answers about when he’ll be back onstage.
Musicians give an enormous amount to their audiences.
Sometimes that means sacrificing time at home, travelling constantly and maintaining difficult schedules.
And when one of them needs to take a break for health reasons, the least fans can do is show some understanding.
There will always be another opportunity to listen to Machine Head.
You can still put on Made In Japan.
And those enormous DEEP PURPLE riffs aren’t disappearing anytime soon.
Right now, there are more important things to think about.
🔥 The Riff Report Verdict – The Concerts Can Wait, Ian!
Nobody enjoys hearing that a major rock tour has been postponed.
Especially when it involves a band as influential as DEEP PURPLE.
Thousands of people have been looking forward to these concerts.
Tickets have been purchased.
Hotels have been booked.
Travel arrangements have been made.
And fans have been counting down the days until they can hear those unmistakable songs performed live.
So yes, the disappointment is understandable.
But there’s something we should all remember.
Ian Gillan has already given the world an extraordinary musical legacy.
He helped define the sound of hard rock.
He’s recorded albums that continue to inspire generations.
He’s performed on stages across the globe.
And he’s been one of the defining voices of a band whose music helped change rock history.
At 81, he’s earned the right to put his wellbeing first.
If his medical team says continuing the tour presents serious risks, then postponing the concerts is the correct decision.
The band can rearrange dates.
Promoters can reorganise venues.
Fans can keep their tickets while waiting for further announcements.
But health isn’t something that should ever be taken for granted.
So from all of us here at The Riff Report, we’d like to send Ian our very best wishes.
Take the time you need.
Look after yourself.
And don’t feel any pressure to rush back.
You’ve already given us more than five decades of incredible rock music. You’ve got absolutely nothing left to prove.
As for the rest of us?
We’ll keep those legendary albums spinning.
We’ll keep those guitars loud.
And we’ll keep celebrating the music that made DEEP PURPLE one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time.
Get well soon, Ian Gillan. Sending love and best wishes from Wales! 💜🤘🐉
💬 Have Your Say, Riff Report Crew!
We’d love to hear from fellow DEEP PURPLE fans.
Have you ever been lucky enough to see Ian Gillan and DEEP PURPLE perform live?
Were you planning to attend one of the postponed November concerts?
And what’s your all-time favourite DEEP PURPLE song or album?
Are you a Machine Head fan?
Does Made In Japan remain your ultimate live album?
Or is Child In Time still one of the greatest vocal performances in rock history?
Share your memories and favourite moments in the comments.
And if you were planning to attend one of the affected concerts, let us know how your ticket provider has handled the postponement.
Please keep the conversation respectful and avoid speculation about Ian’s private medical circumstances.
Let’s celebrate the extraordinary music and send some positive wishes his way.
Because here in the rock and metal community, we look after our own.
Stay strong, Ian. The riffs will still be waiting whenever you’re ready. 🤘💜
