Just one day before kicking off the UK/Europe leg of their Popular Monster II World Domination Tour, Falling In Reverse has been forced to cancel their remaining overseas shows. Why you might ask? Well, because the UK is currently denying visa entry to applicants who have served more than 12 months of prison time. This policy applies to frontman Ronnie Radke, who served 2.5 years in prison after violating probation related to a 2006 case of battery with substantial bodily harm, which tragically resulted in the death of an 18-year-old man.
The band has shared a statement to their Instagram Stories, which reads, “We regret to announce that the home office has denied Ronnie’s visa application for the remaining 2024 UK shows (4 dec – 16 dec). The UK is currently refusing entry to visa applicants who served more than 12 months prison time, as Ronnie did in 2008.”
The statement continues, “Therefore, we will not be able to come to the UK this month to perform the shows we were greatly looking forward to. We will be postponing the shows to next year while we continue to work through this issue legally to obtain the necessary visa. We will keep you posted as we know more.”
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The statement concludes, “For anyone who cannot attend the new dates, refunds are available at point of purchase. Thanks everyone for your support, and we hope to see you next year.”
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the internet is having a field day with this news. X user @valeriesxvoice writes on the social platform, “fir announcing the day before their UK leg that r*nnie is banned from entering the UK is getting honorary scandal of the year in my book.” This sentiment was echoed by user @ryanxvxnorris who wrote, “If you’re sad about not being able to see Falling In Reverse maybe just listen to better music, and maybe just stop supporting an absolute shit stain of a human being.”
Others have expressed their disappointment, such as user @daniel_foulkes writing, “15 years of waiting to see Falling In Reverse live only for the home office to reject Ronnie’s VISA the day before their first show. It’s absolutely shambolic from the government when there’s 7+ sold-out arenas of people waiting for this gig. Next year it is?”
Is it just me, or does it not seem obvious that the band and their team would have had to obtain proper clearances to enter the UK before now? Some food for thought…
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