5 Times A Rock Star Walked Off Stage Mid-Show Out of Anger

Rock concerts are known for their energy and unpredictability. Sometimes, tensions escalate, leading artists to leave the stage abruptly. Here are five notable instances:

5. Nickelback

In 2002, Canadian rock band Nickelback performed at the Ilha do Ermal festival in Portugal. Mid-show, some attendees expressed their displeasure by throwing rocks at the stage. Lead singer Chad Kroeger addressed the crowd, questioning their desire to hear rock music or go home. When the rock-throwing persisted, the band decided to end the performance early, walking off stage to ensure their safety.

4. Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher, known for his role as the lead singer of Oasis, began a solo career in 2017. In February 2020, during a concert in Hamburg, Germany, Gallagher experienced vocal issues. After struggling through several songs, he apologized to the audience, expressing frustration over his inability to perform at his best. He then left the stage, cutting the performance short.

3. Elton John

Legendary musician Elton John has had a career spanning decade. In February 2020, during a performance at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, he struggled with voice problems. Mid-show, he was diagnosed with walking pneumonia, which affected his singing ability. Despite his efforts to continue, he became visibly upset and had to leave the stage, ending the concert prematurely.

2. Willie Nelson

Country music icon Willie Nelson faced a challenging moment in 2018 at the Outlaw Music Festival in Charlotte, North Carolina. After attempting to start his performance twice, Nelson became frustrated due to health issues. He threw his cowboy hat into the crowd and walked off stage, unable to continue the show. The incident was attributed to an illness that prevented him from performing.

1. Axl Rose

On July 2, 1991, during a Guns N’ Roses concert at the Riverport Amphitheatre near St. Louis, lead singer Axl Rose noticed a fan recording the show with a video camera. After requesting security to confiscate the camera without success, Rose took matters into his own hands. He jumped into the audience to confront the fan, leading to a scuffle. Upon returning to the stage, Rose expressed his frustration over the lack of security support and announced he was leaving, saying, “Well, thanks to the lame-ass security, I’m going home!” He then slammed his microphone down and walked off, prompting a riot among the audience that resulted in numerous injuries and significant property damage.