Cancer diagnoses feel like they’ve been coming left, right, and centre as of late – At The Gates‘ Tomas Lindberg, 3 Doors Down‘s Brad Arnold, Centinex’s Henrik “Henka” Andersson, Carnal Forge‘s Lars Lindén, Junkyard‘s David Roch, Saga‘s Michael Sadler (whose cancer is terminal) New York Dolls‘ David Johanssen… the list quite literally goes on. And, the newest addition to that list, is Saxon‘s Biff Byford.
Saxon made headlines at the end of June when they cancelled their summer shows, announcing that Biff Byford needed an emergency procedure. In a statement from Saxon‘s spokesperson, they said:
“”Saxon were so looking forward to performing at all the below summer festivals and events, but the health and well-being of the band obviously has to come first.”
“It goes without saying that all in Saxon are gutted that they will be unable to perform but look forward to hopefully being back on stage in time to play both Trutnoff Open Air Festival in Czech Republic on August 23 and Neuborn Open Air on August 29. The band are also very much looking forward to their upcoming tours of both Spain, France and the U.K. later this year too. Saxon will still be performing as planned at Rockharz Festival in Ballenstedt in Germany on July 2.”
They cancelled 10 dates within Austria, Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Finland, and hope to return for two more festival dates at the end of August.
The reason for the cancellation later came to light when Byford posted a video to the band’s social media, stating that he had been receiving treatment for a cancer diagnosis. He explains that after suffering from problems with his heart, he was sent for an MRI in which doctors found a small tumour. He has since been operated on, but will be undergoing chemotherapy to ensure the cancer does not spread or return.
Byford details his cancer treatment further, and then apologises for cancelling shows, to which fans in the comments reassure Bifford that he has no need to apologise. The caption alongside the video on Facebook further details the adjustments that need to be made in order to accommodate Bifford’s cancer diagnosis:
“Following Saxon’s June announcement with regards to [Byford]’s emergency procedure we would like to share with you a special message from [Byford] for fans as to his ongoing recovery from cancer and all he has been going through since his recent diagnosis following the band’s Japanese tour in late April.
[Byford] also discusses the postponement of Saxon’s imminent French and Spanish shows until April and May of next year while he undergoes a short period of chemotherapy but has been told by doctors that his prognosis going forward is positive. All tickets will remain valid for the new rescheduled dates which will be announced on Saxon’s socials imminently.
Sadly, [Byford]’s treatment also impacts on the band’s forthcoming festival performances at both Trutnoff Open Air, with the band’s appearance later this month having to be cancelled, and Neuborn Open Air, also later this month, now postponed until the festival’s 2026 edition.
[Byford] would like to reassure fans that both the band’s special Hell, Fire and Steel UK & Ireland Tour this November will be going ahead as planned along with Saxon’s headline performance at Metal Hammer Paradise in Lübeck, Germany. The band’s Hell Fire and Steel UK Tour is currently close to being SOLD OUT, so fans are advised to grab the last few tickets quickly to avoid disappointment, as this will be the last opportunity to see Saxon this year in UK and Ireland and to hear the band’s classic Wheels of Steel album played in full for the last time from start to finish.
For more information and tickets go to saxon747.com”
While reading quite a lot like an AI-summary of the video, the caption elaborates that while Saxon were hoping to be able to perform at the end of the month, it is no longer going to be happening.
You can find tour dates for the UK and Ireland below, and tickets here.
November 4 – Belfast, Northern Ireland @ Ulster Hall
November 5 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Olympia Theatre
November 7 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ O2 Apollo Manchester
November 8 – Sheffield, United Kingdom @ Octagon Centre
November 9 – Glasgow, Scotland @ O2 Academy Glasgow
November 11 – Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom @ O2 City Hall Newcastle
November 13 – Bristol, United Kingdom @ Bristol Beacon
November 14 – Wolverhampton, United Kingdom @ Wolverhamptom Civic Hall
November 15 – London, United Kingdom @ Eventim Apollo
November 16 – Cardiff, United Kingdom @ The Great Hall, Cardiff Uni Students Union
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