ROCK star Van McCann recently battled through technical issues to deliver a rip-roaring headline set at Reading Festival.
That prestigious billing looked set to propel his band Catfish and the Bottlemen to the next level, as evidenced by their first headline stadium shows being booked in for next summer.
3
3
However, the weeks since have seen nothing but disappointment.
The band cancelled its first Ireland show in five years just 15 minutes before doors were due to open because of illness.
A statement said: “We regret to inform you that tonight’s show is cancelled due to artist illness .
“Refunds are available from point of purchase.
“Apologies to all the fans who have travelled to the show today and for any inconvenience caused.”
The group then cancelled its Australian tour for the same reason, before axing US tour dates too.
While refunds were offered, no rescheduled dates have been forthcoming, leaving fans worried next summer’s stadium shows will suffer a similar fate.
However, the band have now confirmed that the following shows scheduled will go ahead.
Tickets are currently on sale for dates at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, next August.
Insiders confirmed to The Sun that the scheduled UK shows are definitely still going ahead.
Catfish and the Bottlemen announce concert at Tottenham Stadium
They told us that the cancellations were purely down to illness at the time and they still intend to perform for fans.
The band is yet to post publicly on its social media pages following the Dublin disaster last month.
Fans were previously left in despair at the lack of communication from the band.
One commented on the band’s most recent upload: “The way there’s not a single announcement about cancelling your entire tour…insane.”
Another joked: “man I really never thought I’d have the chance to see you guys live….. and I was right.”
A third wrote: “Cancelling the US shows with no explanation after we waited YEARS for this comeback? seems like nothing has changed lmaooo.”
A fourth asked: “Are ye gonna show up to these ones?”
The Welsh band has released three albums to date, with their second LP, The Ride, reaching number one in the UK chart, and their third album, The Balance, making it to number two.
Drummer Bob Hall left the group in 2021 and the following year guitarist Johnny Bond also departed.
Catfish released its first new music in five years earlier this year with single, Showtime.
3
