The Deep Purple European tour is on hold after singer Ian Gillan’s hospitalization, according to Billboard, which reports that the band has postponed the rest of its 2026 U.K. and European dates. The announcement came Monday, Nov. 2, only days after the group had already called off two German concerts.

Those earlier cancellations were announced Saturday, Oct. 31. Shows at the QI Arena in Leipzig and the Sporthalle in Hamburg, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1, were called off because of a health issue the band did not describe at the time. The new postponement covers far more dates than those two shows.

Here is how the week unfolded. The first announcement cited an unspecified health issue, and the Monday update gave only a short account of what happened in Leipzig. By the end of that update, the band had pulled the rest of its U.K. and European run.

The band’s Monday update came from Gillan himself. In an Instagram post, he thanked fans for their good wishes and explained what had happened.

“I had a medical problem whilst in Leipzig which required urgent attention at the hospital,” Ian Gillan wrote on Instagram.

Gillan said he had hoped to get the all clear to finish the tour. He then described the risks of carrying on and said the band had decided, on the advice of his medical team and management, to postpone the rest of the European and U.K. dates until further notice. He also apologized for any inconvenience the change might cause.

“There are very serious risks involved in me doing so,” Ian Gillan wrote on Instagram.

Which shows are affected?

The list includes four more stops in Germany, gigs in the Netherlands, four shows in France and five U.K. dates. The most notable loss is the Nov. 25 concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, which had been set as the final stop of the European leg.

A short South American run also remains on the calendar. At press time, the band still had dates slated to begin Dec. 5 in São Paulo, Brazil.

Gillan, 81, has fronted Deep Purple during several stints since first joining the band in 1969. He is the voice behind some of the British rock group’s biggest hits, including its signature 1973 single “Smoke on the Water,” which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band has not revealed what is affecting him. At press time, no further information about his condition had been shared, and the band had described only a health problem.

The timing also follows health news from a former member. Gillan’s hospitalization came just weeks after former Deep Purple bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes underwent 10-hour open-heart surgery. Hughes had announced his retirement from touring earlier this year, and in mid-October he shared an update saying he was recovering at home after the procedure.

For now, the postponement stands until further notice. The band has not said when the postponed shows might return to the calendar.

Quick answers

Why did Deep Purple postpone its European tour?
Ian Gillan said he had a medical problem in Leipzig that required urgent hospital attention. The band postponed the remaining dates on the advice of his medical team and management.

Which Deep Purple shows were postponed?
The list includes four more German stops, Netherlands gigs, four French shows and five U.K. dates, including the Nov. 25 Royal Albert Hall show in London.

Is Deep Purple still playing South America?
At press time, the band still had a short South American tour listed, slated to begin Dec. 5 in São Paulo, Brazil.

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Source: Billboard