Megadeth frontman and guitarist Dave Mustaine has announced via the band’s Facebook page and website that Megadeth will be cancelling their Australian tour dates.
The message on Megadeth’s website and Facebook page reads as follows:
“Due to circumstances beyond its control, unfortunately Megadeth has to cancel their Australian dates. Megadeth’s decision is unrelated to the fact that Jason Newsted is performing at Soundwave. Jason and I spoke recently and continue to be friends. – Dave Mustaine, Megadeth”
The band also tweeted regarding the cancellation of the tour.
Due to circumstances beyond its control, unfortunately Megadeth has to cancel their Australian dates. https://t.co/4I4pIujHv1
— Megadeth (@Megadeth) February 9, 2014
Soundwave head honcho AJ Maddah also tweeted about some Soundwave issues not long before Megadeth’s announcement, but it’s uncertain whether they actually relate to Megadeth.
Sometimes you have to take one on the chin for the fans and for the sake of preserving the show…
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 9, 2014
@jamescardno Nope. SW artist making ridiculous demands “or I’ll cancel”.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 9, 2014
I don’t like being asked to lie. Nor do I like being extorted. But at the same time I don’t want to lose an act off the festival. #dilemma
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 9, 2014
The following tweets from Maddah, in response to Megadeth’s tour cancellation tweet, are clearly about Megadeth, but they don’t shed much light on the situation.
@ryantjansen @Megadeth This has beein the weirdest experience I have ever had. And I have had some weird ones.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 9, 2014
@tazz1973 Not sure. We have done everything they have asked except lie to the fans.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 9, 2014
When asked if there would be a replacement headline act this close to the festival, Maddah replied that some of the other bands would play longer set times.
@balrog0fmorgoth We’ll give Down, DD, Trivium, etc, longer sets.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 9, 2014
