Opeth were forced to pull the plug on a concert in Colombia just hours before showtime after Mikael Åkerfeldt became so ill that he couldn’t make it through a single song at soundcheck.
The Swedish progressive metal band was due to perform November 8 at Royal Center in Bogotá as part of its ongoing Latin American tour. The trek began November 1 in Santiago, Chile, and is scheduled to wrap up November 11 in Mexico City.
The cancellation was announced on social media just hours before Sunday’s scheduled performance.
“Colombian brothers and sisters, it is with great regret that we must announce the cancellation of today’s show in Bogotá,” Opeth bass guitarist Martín Méndez said in a video shared on Facebook. “Our frontman, Mikael, has come down with a virus; he is suffering from a fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
“We even attempted a soundcheck, but it proved impossible to get through even a single song. A doctor has also examined him and confirmed that it is indeed a virus.
“We are truly sorry that we cannot perform this concert, but we are only human. Our hope now is for Mikael to recover quickly so that we can go on to play the final show of the tour in Mexico.
“Thank you for your understanding and for your unwavering support.”
The setback comes as Opeth approach the end of a touring run that will be followed by an extended break. Earlier this month, bassist Martin Mendez told Brazil’s 89 A Rádio Rock that he and his bandmates plan to “take a pretty long break” once the Latin American dates are complete.
Åkerfeldt has previously spoken about the toll touring can take on him. In a February interview with Blabbermouth, he admitted that he doesn’t “particularly enjoy touring that much,” despite considering the performances themselves the high point.
“The shows in themselves are the highlight of the day, I would say,” he explained. “But if you’re not feeling it, they can also be a bit of a curse. I’ve been battling insomnia connected to touring, like nervousness. I put a lot of pressure on myself for some reason — more now than before.
“The insomnia has made me feel quite wobbly and insecure when we play shows. Once I’m up there, it’s kind of business as usual. After a couple of songs, I don’t feel as wobbly, and after a while, I might be able to enjoy it.”
