Deep Purple have announced that their frontman Ian Gillan has been hospitalized following a medical emergency, forcing the band to postpone two shows in Germany. In a statement issued on October 31, 2026, the legendary rock outfit said they were pulling tonight's concert at the QI Arena in Leipzig and tomorrow night's date at the Sporthalle in Hamburg, while pledging to reschedule both performances.
The band has not disclosed the nature of the emergency, and fans have been asked for patience as updates arrive. The 81-year-old singer remains one of rock's most beloved voices, and the news has drawn an outpouring of support from around the world. Our thoughts go out to Ian Gillan and the band as they navigate this difficult moment.
What the Band Said
In the statement released on October 31, Deep Purple said the postponements come "with great disappointment," noting they are "unable to perform as scheduled." The band continued: "this comes as a result of a medical emergency involving Ian Gillan, which has resulted in his current hospitalisation." The group added that they "share the disappointment of all our wonderful fans," and said they are "focused on finding a suitable time to reschedule both these shows." Closing the message, the band confirmed that "all tickets purchased will be valid for the rescheduled dates."
The Postponed Shows
The affected dates are Friday, October 31 at the QI Arena in Leipzig and Saturday, November 1 at the Sporthalle in Hamburg. Both concerts were part of the European arena leg of the band's ongoing tour. Tickets remain valid for the new dates, which have yet to be announced. The postponement is the latest high-profile tour disruption of the season — see also our Cheap Trick touring break news for another band stepping back from the road.
The SPLAT! World Tour
The run supports SPLAT!, the band's 24th studio album, released July 3, 2026 on earMUSIC and produced by Bob Ezrin. The title-track single and its official video premiered October 22–23, 2026, building momentum for the European arena dates, with UK shows in London, Manchester and Glasgow still to come. For another heavyweight anthem, see our Enter Sandman lyrics breakdown of the Metallica classic.
Ian Gillan — The Voice of Deep Purple
Gillan first joined Deep Purple in 1969, fronting the classic Mk II lineup that produced "Smoke on the Water" and "Child in Time" — songs that helped define heavy metal. Today's lineup features Gillan alongside Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey and Simon McBride. Gillan remains one of rock's most enduring frontmen, in the company of the legends profiled in our AC/DC biography and Iron Maiden biography. In a 2025 interview, the singer spoke candidly about his eyesight and the possibility of retirement; that background is noted here as reported only, with no bearing on the current situation.
Watch the Official Video
Watch the official video for the new single below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the shows postponed?
Deep Purple postponed the concerts because frontman Ian Gillan, 81, was hospitalized after a medical emergency. The band said they were "unable to perform as scheduled" and expressed their "great disappointment."
Which shows are affected?
The October 31 concert at the QI Arena in Leipzig and the November 1 concert at the Sporthalle in Hamburg, both in Germany.
Will tickets be refunded or stay valid?
According to the band's statement, all tickets purchased will be valid for the rescheduled dates, which have yet to be announced.
What is Deep Purple touring for?
The band is on the SPLAT! World Tour, supporting their 24th studio album SPLAT!, released July 3, 2026 on earMUSIC and produced by Bob Ezrin.
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