Flogging Molly Cancels All 2025 Shows, Asks for Prayers for Dave King’s Health Issues

Flogging Molly fans were hit with heartbreaking news as the beloved Celtic punk band announced the cancellation of nearly all their 2025 shows. The reason? Frontman Dave King, also known for leading the ’80s English rock band Fastway with “Fast” Eddie Clarke (Motörhead) and Pete Way (UFO), is facing a serious health battle, and the band is asking for all the good vibes, thoughts and prayers fans can muster.
The announcement came via Instagram, where the band shared, “Our fearless leader, the inimitable Dave King, is currently battling a very serious health condition.” The 63-year-old Dublin-born singer has been the heart and soul of Flogging Molly since their early days, alongside his wife, violinist Bridget Regan.
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“Dave and Bridget ask everyone to respect their privacy at this time, we will share as we can,” the band wrote. “Any good thoughts or prayers you can send Dave’s way, he and we would appreciate it. Unfortunately, Flogging Molly will be unable to perform shows in 2025.”
Despite the heavy news, one tradition will carry on: their annual Salty Dog Cruise. The floating punk rock celebration, set for February 17-22, 2025, will still set sail from Miami to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Though Flogging Molly won’t be performing in their usual capacity, the band assured fans they’d still be there to celebrate. The lineup remains stacked, with 18 bands on board, including the Gaslight Anthem, who will perform at the port show kickoff on February 17.

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For those who had tickets to other tour dates, refunds are available at the point of purchase. The band had originally planned a jam-packed 2025, with stops across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including a St. Patrick’s Day weekend run and summer festival appearances.
Flogging Molly’s journey began in 1994 in Los Angeles, named after the Irish pub Molly Malone’s, where they began as a band. Their breakout debut album, Swagger, arrived in 2000, but it was 2008’s Float that truly cemented their place in the punk rock world, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Their most recent album, Anthem, dropped in 2022.

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