Crowbar frontman Kirk Windstein has announced the cancellation of the band’s summer 2026 ‘Confess To Nothing’ European tour. The cancellation is due to ongoing physical health issues, as revealed in a video statement shared on Facebook.
Windstein addressed fans directly, explaining that a bilateral synovial cyst on his spine has been causing significant problems. The condition has made the tour physically impossible to complete.
“Hey, everybody. Kirk Windstein from Crowbar here, and I have an announcement to make,” he said. “As everybody knows, or most fans know, I had to perform sitting down last year during the Crowbar/Eyehategod U.S. tour. And I have a bilateral synovial cyst on my spine that is beginning to flare up again and it’s giving me a lot of problems.”
Windstein went on to describe the current state of his condition and the immediate steps he is taking to address it.
“To cut straight to the point, it’s acting up and has been for a couple of weeks now, so I begin physical therapy tomorrow morning,” he continued. “Unfortunately, we have to cancel this upcoming European tour. I have been touring for 36 years, and I’ve never canceled a tour. But due to my physical health at this point, I’m unable to get on plane flights and ride in the van for two weeks and catch two flights home.”
Closing his statement, Windstein offered an apology to fans and outlined the band’s plans to make up the missed dates.
“So I do apologize, and I understand y’all will be disappointed, understandably, but we’re gonna do everything we can to make up these shows,” he said. “We’re not rescheduling the tour, but just to make up these cities next year when we’re over in Europe with Crowbar. So thank y’all for understanding and all the best.”
The ‘Confess To Nothing’ European tour was a 12-date run scheduled from July 27 to August 7, 2026. Among the affected events are high-profile festival appearances, including Rockstadt Extreme Fest in Romania and Alcatraz Metal Festival in Belgium.
Windstein’s spinal condition — a bilateral synovial cyst, meaning a fluid-filled sac affecting both sides of the spine — has been a recurring issue. It had already forced him to perform seated during the 2024 Crowbar/Eyehategod U.S. tour, a visible sign of the physical toll the ailment has taken on one of heavy metal’s most enduring road warriors.
With 36 years of continuous touring behind him, Windstein’s decision to cancel represents an unprecedented step. The band has made clear that the affected European dates will not be rescheduled as a tour. Crowbar intends to return to each of the impacted cities individually in 2027 when they next travel to Europe.
Windstein is currently undergoing physical therapy as the first step in managing the flare-up. The goal is to restore enough mobility and comfort to resume live activity in the future.
