Papa Roach has withdrawn from its scheduled performance at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky, after bassist Tobin Esperance experienced what the band described as an “unexpected emergency.” The cancellation was announced on Sept. 18, one day before the group was scheduled to perform at the festival.
The band said the decision was made after consultation with medical professionals, who determined that Esperance would be unable to perform that weekend. Papa Roach did not disclose details about the nature of the emergency, instead asking fans to respect Esperance’s privacy while his health remains the immediate concern.
Papa Roach had been scheduled to close the Life Stage on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 8:25 p.m. The appearance was also set to be the band’s final U.S. date before beginning its European tour in November. The festival lineup included headliners such as Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance, Limp Bizkit and Tool.
In its statement, Papa Roach said it looked forward to welcoming Esperance back onstage in November. The band’s European Rise of the Roach tour is scheduled to begin Nov. 1 in Glasgow, Scotland, followed by dates in Dublin, Birmingham, Manchester, London and Cardiff before continuing through mainland Europe.
Esperance has been Papa Roach’s bassist since the group’s early years and has remained part of its core lineup alongside singer Jacoby Shaddix, guitarist Jerry Horton and drummer Tony Palermo. He has also contributed to the band’s songwriting and recordings throughout its career.
Louder Than Life continued at the Kentucky Exposition Center despite Papa Roach’s cancellation. The festival, which ran from Sept. 17 through Sept. 20, featured more than 200 acts across multiple stages. The event also experienced a temporary weather-related evacuation on Friday before gates reopened and performances resumed.
As of the latest update, Papa Roach has not provided further information about Esperance’s condition or the specific circumstances surrounding the emergency. The band has indicated that its next scheduled performances are part of the European tour beginning in November.
