Muse have cancelled a string of shows “due to unforeseen circumstances”.
The British rock band was due to play the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on February 4, Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 7, Cape Town, South Africa, on February 11, and Bengaluru, India, on February 14.
Matt Bellamy and co admitted it was a “very difficult decision” to make.
Fans have been offered refunds for the Abu Dhabi show.
A statement shared on behalf of the group by Live Nation read: “Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we will be unable to proceed with the upcoming scheduled shows in India, South Africa and UAE.
“This has been a very difficult decision and one we did not take lightly. We’re truly sorry to everyone who purchased tickets and appreciate your understanding.”
In 2025, Muse dropped their first track in three years, Unravelling.
Earlier in the year, bassist Chris Wolstenholme revealed they were planning to work on a new album “fairly soon”.
The Hysteria rockers’ last full-length record was 2022’s Will of the People, and he said they were keen to get started on a follow-up and ink a new record deal.
Speaking on an episode of The Leona Graham Podcast, he spilled: “We will [sign to a label], obviously. I think we’re gonna start work on the next record fairly soon.
“I think for the last few albums we’ve been with Warner and we’ve extended after each album. We may do the same again; we may go with a new label, who knows.”
The trio – which is completed by drummer Dominic Howard – needed the time to “reset” and Chris admits that there will be “bigger” gaps between records.
He said: “When you finish touring an album, and [when] the band has been around a bit longer, the gaps between albums get a little bit bigger. I don’t think we can be banging out new albums every two years like we used to.
“But it gives you that opportunity to reset a little bit and think about what’s gonna happen going forward.”
He had suggested that fans would have to wait until 2026 for their 10th studio album.
Chris continued: “I think we’ll start very, very soon, like in the next couple of months.
“We’ve got a few gigs in June. Only a handful – that’s the only gigs we’re doing this year.
“I don’t think the idea is to do anything really serious until next year, so I would imagine that 2026 will be a new album, barring any disasters.”
During Muse’s downtime, Chris has been busy with a side project called Chromes.