6/30/25 Page 2
Heavy metal legends and very longtime HardRadio friends SAXON announce the immediate cancellation of 10 summer shows and festival appearances while singer BIFF BYFORD undergoes an emergency procedure. The band will regretfully now not be performing at scheduled shows including their upcoming performances at Wacken Open Air, Pol'And' Rock, Summer Breeze, Ekenas, Area 53 and Oland Rock Festivals. A spokesperson for Saxon's management company said: "It goes without saying that all in Saxon are gutted that they will be unable to perform but look forward to hopefully being back on stage in time to play both Trutnoff Open Air Festival in Czech Republic on August 23rd and Neuborn Open Air on August 29th. The band are also very much looking forward to their upcoming tours of both Spain, France and the UK later this year too." Saxon will still be performing as planned at Rockharz Festival in Ballenstedt in Germany on July 2.
ESX Entertainment's new biopic about the SCORPIONS - the German band whose music defined an end to the Cold War and a bridge to peace at the time, has set its cast with Dominic West (The Crown), Alexander Dreymon (The Last Kingdom), Ludwig Trepte (Generation War), Ed Speleers (You), David Kross (The Reader) and Luke Brandon Field (Interview with the Vampire, Jojo Rabbit). Cameras are rolling at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in London for a theatrical release this year. "It's been an unbelievable journey developing this film and bringing it to life feels surreal" says Ali Afshar, Founder and President of ESX Entertainment. "This cast is an amazing ensemble of truly great talent. I can't thank Fox Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment enough for their support and especially the band — Rudolf, Klaus and Matthias — for believing in us and trusting us to tell their life story."
The founding members of Black Sabbath were awarded the FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM at a ceremony in the Council House on Saturday. At the ceremony, the original band members Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward were presented with their Freedom Of The City scrolls and medals by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal. The Freedom Of The City honor recognises exceptional service to the city. This honor recognizes Black Sabbath's significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham, their strong association with the city and continued influence as pioneers of heavy metal in both Birmingham and beyond.
