Muse Withdrawal Forces Calabash South Africa Cancellation

The highly anticipated Calabash South Africa 2026 festival has been called off after headline act Muse withdrew from their international tour dates.

The British rock band was scheduled to perform at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on 7 February and Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on 11 February.

Organisers cited the band’s unavailability in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and India as the primary cause. Due to the logistical complexity of stadium events, a replacement headliner could not be secured on short notice.

Muse expressed regret in a press release on Wednesday, 14 January, stating: “This has been a very difficult decision and one we did not take lightly.”

The cancellation also affects supporting acts Simple Plan, A Day To Remember, and Nothing But Thieves. Simple Plan shared their disappointment, admitting: “We were so excited to finally return to South Africa and play for all our fans there.”

Confusion initially arose when some fans noticed refunds appearing in their accounts before the official announcement. However, organisers have now confirmed that automatic full refunds for tickets and parking are being processed and should reflect within 5-10 business days.

While the festival’s future remains uncertain, organisers hope to bring the event back to South African venues soon.

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