Morrissey Abruptly Cancels Stockholm Concert, Citing Band Fatigue and “Zero Music Industry Support”
Veteran British musician Morrissey, the iconic former frontman of The Smiths, has called off his scheduled performance in Stockholm, Sweden. The abrupt cancellation stems from what he describes as severe weariness among his touring ensemble and a critical lack of financial backing from the music industry.
Morrissey, aged 66, is currently undertaking a tour across the UK and Europe. He was slated to appear at Stockholm’s Hovet Arena on the evening of Monday, June 23rd. However, the engagement will not proceed as planned.
In a statement posted on his official website, Morrissey Central, the artist conveyed his profound disappointment at being unable to reach the Swedish capital. **”The pain at not reaching Stockholm this week is horrific for the band and crew,”** he wrote, adding that visiting cities like Stockholm, Reykjavik, Trondheim, Helsinki, and Aarhus is a dream.
He explicitly linked the cancellation to financial constraints exacerbated by the absence of label support. **”There is no financial support from imaginary record labels to get us to such places,”** he asserted.
Morrissey detailed the grueling pace of their recent schedule, explaining that visiting six countries in the preceding week had taken a significant physical toll on the group. **”We are travel-weary beyond belief,”** he stated. He reiterated his plea for assistance to reach the Nordic nations, noting that despite having “thousands upon thousands of friends” in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark, they receive **”absolutely zero music industry support.”**
While the tour itinerary listed the Stockholm date, no other Scandinavian stops were included in the immediate schedule.
Fans who had purchased tickets for the now-canceled Stockholm event reportedly received notifications stating the show was canceled **”Due to exhaustion among the band and crew.”** Refunds are being made available at the original point of purchase.
Beyond the immediate travel woes, Morrissey used the announcement to voice his ongoing discontent with the contemporary state of the music business. He drew a stark contrast between the strong public demand reflected in ticket sales and the apparent lack of backing from traditional industry gatekeepers. **”No label will release our music, no radio will play our music … and yet our ticket sales are sensational,”** he highlighted. He then questioned what this paradox reveals about **”the state of Art in 2025.”**
Looking ahead, Morrissey confirmed that the tour is expected to continue, stating, “The wagon rolls on to Berlin, 27 June.” He expressed hope for the upcoming performance, adding, “With the grace of God we will all gather. I love all of you with whatever is left of my doomed heart.”
These comments arrive amid lingering tension surrounding his unreleased album, *Bonfire of Teenagers*. The project was recorded between 2020 and 2021 and was initially slated for a 2023 launch via Capitol Records. However, it remains shelved following Morrissey’s split from the label in 2022.
Morrissey also directed criticism towards the arts media landscape in England, lamenting what he termed an **”idiot culture.”** He contended that **”Genuine artists in England are now being held hostage by people who object to any manner of alternative opinion.”**
It’s worth noting that Morrissey has a well-documented history of contentious relationships with record labels, a pattern that dates back even to his tenure with The Smiths, who were signed to the independent label Rough Trade.
