Massive Attack cancel string of US shows due to “unforeseen circumstances”

Massive Attack have announced that they will no longer perform at five scheduled shows across North America this month.

In a statement posted to Instagram on Friday, October 11, the group explained that they’ve pulled the plug on several forthcoming shows "due to unforeseen circumstances”.

“Massive Attack must regrettably cancel their upcoming performance at III Points Festival in Miami FL on October 19th, as well as their shows in Atlanta GA, Washington DC, Boston MA, and Forest Hills NY,” they explained.

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No other reason for the series of cancellations was provided. They added: “We appreciate your understanding at this time."

The group’s US tour - set to be their first in some five years - was due to kick off at Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Roxy venue on October 17, just less than a week after their last-minute cancellation.

The forthcoming shows were set to feature a special collaboration with the Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser in a rare guest appearance, with shows concluding on October 24 at Forest Hills Stadium in New York.

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In August, Massive Attack performed in Bristol’s Clifton Downs at what was promised to be their “greenest ever gig”, acting as a "trial for new standards of decarbonisation of live music."

Their ACT 1.5 show was described as a "large-scale climate action accelerator", marking 25 years of the group’s staunch climate activism. They also announced that the show may be “the last” they play in Bristol, their home city.

“The show production is pioneering in all aspects of decarbonisation and will create a blueprint for the way live shows can be produced," said Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja. “The scale of innovations and emissions reductions will speak for themselves.”

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter