Foo Fighters cancel F1 gig due to “unforeseen medical circumstances”

Virgin Radio

14 Dec 2021, 12:13

The band was supposed to perform at the main race of the Championship in Abu Dhabi this week (12 December) but had to cancel.

The gig was set to take place at the Yas Marina Circuit to mark the end of the F1 season and celebrate the final race, which saw Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen overtake Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to win the Championship.

According to event organisers, the Foo Fighters were “unable to travel” due to medical circumstances.

In a statement on behalf of the band, the organisers said: “The band apologises for any inconvenience or disappointment caused by the unexpected turn of events.”

There was some speculation from Emirati state-linked newspaper, The National, who quoted promoter John Lickrish as saying a Foo Fighters member was rushed to hospital from an airport in Chicago, where the band had stopped over on the way to Abu Dhabi.

He told the paper: “It was the band’s management telling me that once the plane landed, a member of the band had to be rushed to a hospital in Chicago.

“My immediate reaction was to see if the person and the band were OK. Then the situation really hit me because the advance team from the Foo Fighters were already here in Abu Dhabi. The show was being set up, even the band’s gear had arrived.”

This has not been confirmed by the Foos or the event organisers. The band’s last gig was last Thursday (9 December) in Fresno, California.

Taking their place at the Yas Marina Circuit were Martin Garrix and DJ Snake.