March 13 Update: This tour has now been cancelled. The band say, "It was never our intent to cause anger and hurt with our previous defiance. With so much already paid for, contracts all in place and the band all rehearsed and ready to go we had very little choice but to try and carry on despite mounting pressure."
Initially this story was headlined "Magnum vow to 'f**k coronavirus' and carry on with European tour." The original news story, from March 11, is below.
UK melodic rock stalwarts Magnum have vowed not to let the coronavirus outbreak interfere with their touring plans. The band, who are introducing new bass player Dennis Ward on their forthcoming run of European dates, say that the flu-like virus – also known as COVID-19 – should not prevent fans from living their lives "to the fullest."
"Let's get this right out there," say the band, in a statement of Facebook. "The band are not going to cancel the tour."
The statement continues, "We've been in rehearsal for three weeks now. We're all in excellent health. Dennis has been fitting in fantastically and we're looking forward to playing our new material for the first time to as many people as possible.
"We are contractually obliged to play every single show and we intend to do so.
"We'd urge every fan and indeed every human being around the world to not fall into the trap of allowing fear and misinformation surrounding the virus to prevent them from living their lives to the fullest.
"If a band with an average age of nearly 60 are chomping at the bit to get on a tour bus and go and play our hearts out for three months solid we sincerely hope that you're not too afraid to come out and see us! Pack these venues out and show us what Magnum fans are made of.
"F**k coronavirus. See you on the road."
Artists including Pearl Jam, Queen & Adam Lambert, Slipknot, Whitesnake, Sons Of Apollo, Michael Schenker and Lacuna Coil have all had their live commitments curtailed due to the outbreak, while last week a fan who attended Tool’s recent show in Auckland, New Zealand was subsequently diagnosed with coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation have posted public advice in light of the spread of the virus which covers basic protective measures.
Magnum's most recent album, The Serpent's Rings, was released in January.
Magnum European Tour 2020
Mar 19: Glasgow The Garage, UK
Mar 20: Belfast Limelight, UK
Mar 21: Dublin Voodoo Lounge, Ireland
Mar 22: Cardiff Tramshed, UK
Mar 24: Sheffield The Leadmill, UK
Mar 26: Manchester Academy, UK
Mar 31: Norwich Waterfront, UK
Apr 03: Southampton Engine Rooms, UK
Apr 05: Uden De Pul Uden, Netherlands
Apr 06: Kiel Max, Germany
Apr 08: Oslo Vulkan Arena, Norway
Apr 09: Huskvarna Folkets Park, Sweden
Apr 10: Stockholm Fryshuset Klubben, Sweden
Apr 11: Karlstad Nöjesfabriken, Sweden
Apr 13: Gothenburg Pustervik, Sweden
Apr 14: Malmö Babel, Sweden
Apr 16: Frankfurt Batschkapp, Germany
Apr 17: Obertraubling Airport, Germany
Apr 18: Balingen Volksbankmessehalle, Germany
Apr 20: München TonHalle, Germany
Apr 21: Fürth Stadthalle, Germany
Apr 22: Hamburg Grosse Freiheit 36, Germany
Apr 24: Hannover Capitol, Germany
Apr 25: Bremen Pier2, Germany
Apr 26: Berlin Tempodrom, Germany
Apr 28: Singen Stadthalle, Germany
Apr 29: Köln E-Werk, Germany
Apr 30: Saarbrücken Garage, Germany
May 01: Prague Rock Klub Nová Chmelnice, Czech Republic
May 02: Schwalmstadt Kulturhalle Ziegenhain, Germany
May 05: Stuttgart Im Wizemann, Germany
May 07: Pratteln Konzertfabrik, Switzerland
May 08: Milan Legend Club, Italy
