Pantera were set to be one of the big draws for Aftershock festival this year, but fans will have to wait another year to see the legendary metal act perform at the four-day rock extravaganza in Sacramento, California. The band has dropped off the 2023 lineup, but has promised to play the 2024 edition of the fest.
In a statement on social media, Pantera cited “circumstances beyond our control” without offering any more details on the reason for the decision. However, they did give some good news in that they’ll still perform at promoter Danny Wimmer Presents’ Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky, this weekend.
Pantera wrote, “Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will be unable to perform at this year’s edition of Aftershock next month. This event is monumental and it pains us to have to miss it. We will however be back for Aftershock 2024! A sincere thank you to Danny Wimmer Presents as well as all the fans around the globe who’ve supported the 2023 Pantera celebration. We will see you all at Louder Than Life this weekend and Aftershock next year!”
The festival took to social media to announce that Stone Temple Pilots will step up and fill Pantera’s slot. While quite a different brand of music, STP are legends in their own right.
The 2023 Aftershock Festival is set for October 5th-8th at Sacramento’s Discovery Park. Even without Pantera, the lineup boasts such notable acts as Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Korn, Turnstile, Avenged Sevenfold, Limp Bizkit, and more.
Pantera — who feature classic members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown alongside Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante — just wrapped up a late summer/early fall tour. In addition to playing Louder Than Life this Saturday (September 23rd), they’re still scheduled to support Metallica on November 3rd in St. Louis and November 10th in Detroit, as well as multiple shows in 2024. Tickets to their upcoming gigs are available here.
— Pantera (@Pantera) September 21, 2023
Aftershock family, due to unforeseen circumstances, Pantera is no longer able to join us next month. We’re excited to share that @stpband has stepped up to perform with us on Thursday, October 5 and are thrilled to announce that while Pantera can no longer make it this year,… pic.twitter.com/5IHJmZk2HJ
— AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL (@AFTERSHOCKSAC) September 21, 2023