Legendary Rock Star Forced to Cancel Show Over ‘Zero Music Industry Support’ originally appeared on Parade.
Former Smiths frontman Morrissey has canceled his upcoming concert in Stockholm, citing severe exhaustion among his band and a lack of support from the music industry.
Morrissey, 66, is currently touring across the UK and Europe and was scheduled to perform at Stockholm’s Hovet Arena on Monday, June 23. However, he announced that the show would not go on.
“The pain at not reaching Stockholm this week is horrific for the band and crew,” he wrote on Morrissey Central. “We dream of Stockholm, Reykjavik, Trondheim, Helsinki, Aarhus … but there is no financial support from imaginary record labels to get us to such places.”
He explained that despite having visited six countries in the past week, the toll of constant travel has caught up with the group.
“We are travel-weary beyond belief,” he said. “We pray to God that someone, somewhere can help us reach Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Denmark … where we have thousands upon thousands of friends, yet absolutely zero music industry support.”
According to the tour schedule, no other Scandinavian dates are booked.
Fans who purchased tickets for the Stockholm show reportedly received a message reading, “Due to exhaustion among the band and crew, the Morrissey headline engagement at Hovet has been cancelled. Refunds will be available at the point of purchase.”
Morrissey also expressed ongoing frustrations with the state of the industry, pointing out the contrast between high ticket sales and a lack of backing from labels or radio. “No label will release our music, no radio will play our music … and yet our ticket sales are sensational,” he said. “What does this tell us about the state of Art in 2025?”
He added, “The wagon rolls on to Berlin, 27 June. With the grace of God we will all gather. I love all of you with whatever is left of my doomed heart.”
His comments come as tensions continue over his unreleased album Bonfire of Teenagers. The project, recorded between 2020 and 2021, was originally slated for a 2023 release on Capitol Records but remains shelved following his split from the label in 2022.
“There is no arts media anymore in England,” Morrissey said, blaming what he called an “idiot culture.” “Genuine artists in England are now being held hostage by people who object to any manner of alternative opinion.”
Morrissey has had a long, contentious relationship with record labels — even dating back to his days with The Smiths.
The band, made up of Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, was signed to independent label Rough Trade.
Morrissey frequently voiced frustration over the lack of star treatment and criticized what he called the label’s “defeatism” when it came to promoting their music, according to Magnet Magazine.
As The Smiths grew in popularity and attracted interest from major labels, they became increasingly frustrated with their Rough Trade contract, which bound them for at least two more albums after “Shakespeare’s Sister.”
Regardless, The Smiths officially disbanded in 1987 after internal tensions made it increasingly difficult for the group to continue.
Legendary Rock Star Forced to Cancel Show Over ‘Zero Music Industry Support’ first appeared on Parade on Jun 23, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
