Morrissey Cancels Valencia Concert Amid Las Fallas Festival Noise

British singer Morrissey cancelled a scheduled concert in Valencia, Spain, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, citing debilitating noise levels stemming from the city’s annual Las Fallas festival. The 66-year-old former Smiths frontman described being left in a “catatonic state” due to the relentless sounds.

Las Fallas and the Cancellation

Morrissey arrived in Valencia after a two-day journey by tour bus from Milan. According to a statement on his official website, he was unable to sleep due to the “festival noise, loud techno singing, and megaphone announcements.” He characterized his hotel as an “indescribable hell” and stated it would capture “one year to recover,” adding, “and that is an understatement.”

While organizers initially offered no formal cancellation notice, Morrissey clarified that the show wasn’t cancelled but rendered “impossible” due to the circumstances. He reportedly provided recordings of the disruptive noise to support his decision. The concert was set to take place at Valencia’s Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, with tickets starting at €103.

A History of Cancellations

This cancellation is not an isolated incident in Morrissey’s career. He has a documented history of postponing or cancelling shows for various reasons, including exhaustion and health concerns. According to Morrissey-Solo, a fan site, he has cancelled 111 shows and postponed 100 more since 2012. In 2026 alone, he had already cancelled concerts in St Petersburg, Rancho Mirage, San Diego, St Louis, and Atlanta prior to the Valencia event. Past cancellations include a 2004 incident at the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim due to “technical difficulties” and a 2014 Warsaw performance halted after 25 minutes due to an offensive comment from an audience member. A 2015 Reykjavik festival appearance was refused over a request for a meat-free event.

Recent Album and Chart Performance

The cancelled Valencia concert was part of a tour promoting Morrissey’s latest album, Build-Up Is a Lie, released on March 6, 2026. The album reached No. 2 in the UK’s midweek album charts, behind Harry Styles, marking his highest chart position since 2014’s World Peace Is None of Your Business, which also reached No. 2. All but two of his studio albums have charted in the UK Top 5.

Understanding Las Fallas

Las Fallas is a UNESCO-listed festival held each March in Valencia. The event transforms the city with elaborate floats, concerts, processions, and fireworks. Neighborhoods compete to create the most spectacular displays, culminating in the burning of all the floats. The festival officially runs from March 15-19, but the build-up begins well in advance, creating a prolonged period of heightened noise and activity.

Morrissey is still scheduled to perform in Zaragoza and Seville on March 14 and March 16, respectively.