Skepta cancels his Australian New Year’s shows six days after his comeback album, saying his family comes first
British rapper Skepta has withdrawn from three of Australia's biggest New Year's festivals, Beyond The Valley, Lost Paradise and Wildlands, citing personal reasons. In a post to fans he said he has to put his family first and hopes to return soon. His name is gone from the festivals' line-ups, and no replacement act has been announced.
Three things to know
- Skepta was booked for Beyond The Valley in Victoria and Lost Paradise in NSW, both 28 December to 1 January, and was a headliner at Wildlands in Brisbane on 31 December and Perth on 2 January.
- He has also cancelled his shows in India this year.
- The withdrawal comes six days after he released The Fork and Knife, his first solo album since 2019.
Skepta will not be seeing in the new year in Australia. The London grime star has cancelled his appearances at Beyond The Valley, Lost Paradise and Wildlands, telling fans in a social media post on Wednesday that he would not be able to perform in India or Australia this year.
He gave personal reasons. “I have to put my family first,” he wrote, adding that he did not like cancelling shows and apologising to fans. He said he hoped to be back “soon”.
He has not said more about the reasons, and VNN does not speculate on them.
Which shows are affected?
Three festivals in four states. Beyond The Valley runs at Barunah Plains in Victoria from 28 December to 1 January, and Lost Paradise at Glenworth Valley on the NSW Central Coast over the same days. Both are sold out.
At Wildlands, Skepta was one of the headliners, at Brisbane Showgrounds on New Year’s Eve and at Arena Joondalup in Perth on 2 January.
His name no longer appears on any of the three festivals’ line-ups. None of the festivals has announced a replacement, and none has posted a notice about tickets. Fans who bought a ticket mainly to see him should check the festival’s own terms or contact its ticket seller directly.
Why is this a blow for the festivals?
Skepta was one of the biggest rap names on bills that lean heavily towards dance music. At Wildlands he sat alongside John Summit and Overmono; at Beyond The Valley the line-up includes John Summit, Black Eyed Peas, Vince Staples and Ocean Alley.
His recent form made him a draw. He stepped in at short notice at Glastonbury in 2025, and his new album arrived only last week.
What is the new album?
The Fork and Knife, released on 6 November through Big Smoke Records and Epic Records, is his sixth studio album and his first solo full-length in seven years, since 2019’s Ignorance Is Bliss. Its 15 tracks feature Jorja Smith, Asake, Fred again.. and Chase & Status, among others.
The cancellation means Australian fans will have to wait for a chance to hear it live. He has not announced any new Australian dates.
How we got here
The key moments that brought this story into focus. Open any moment for detail.
2019Ignorance Is Bliss
Skepta releases his previous solo album.
2026Festival bookings
Skepta is announced for Beyond The Valley, Lost Paradise and Wildlands.
6 November 2026The Fork and Knife
His sixth studio album is released.
11 November 2026Shows cancelled
Skepta tells fans he will not perform in India or Australia this year.
What happens next
The festivals are expected to say whether they will add a replacement act before they begin on 28 December. Skepta has said he hopes to return, but has given no dates.
Sources
- VNN
VNN never names people who give us information in confidence. How we protect sources and tips.
That is the story in a minute. For the evidence, context and what happens next, switch to the full story.
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