HEART forced to cancel full European and UK tour - including Manchester show at AO Arena

An iconic rock band has been forced to cancel its entire European and UK tour, which was set to include a show at Manchester’s AO Arena.

HEART, known for 1987 mega-hit Alone as well as songs including These Dreams, Barracuda and All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You, were due to perform in Manchester alongside legendary British new wave group Squeeze on July 6.

The Royal Flush tour, which would have marked the first time the band has performed in the UK in eight years, has now been cancelled. In a statement, the band said they ‘deeply regretted’ the decision and apologised for ‘any inconvenience’.

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Frontwoman Ann Wilson, 73, is to undergo a ‘time-sensitive but routine’ medical procedure and will require six weeks to recover. The UK tour dates, which also included a big gig at London's The O2, as well as shows in Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds and Glasgow, would have coincided with this timeframe.

Representatives for HEART said ticket goers will now be contacted by their ticket providers, with full refunds issued over the show. No new dates have been added, but the band added they hoped ‘to return to Europe soon’. Dates in Antwerp, Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Oslo have also been cancelled.

The statement, which was issued on behalf of the band, said: “We regret to inform you that the upcoming Heart UK tour is cancelled. In late May, Ann Wilson will undergo a time-sensitive but routine medical procedure for which the minimum recovery time is six weeks.

“Heart deeply regrets this unfortunate circumstance and hopes to return to Europe soon. Tickets will be refunded from your point of purchase. Really sorry for any inconvenience.”

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