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Battles  

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Battles are the Networked Band, or perhaps the-band-as-network. An island chain linked by a unique combination of artistry, experimentation, technology and singular focus. A band that holds computerized loops in their brains, leaves sweat on their machines and whose sonic heartbeat is almost brutally human.

Formed in 2002, Ian Williams, Dave Konopka, Tyondai Brazton and John Stanier all came together from a variety of math rock and alternative metal groups including Don Caballero and Helmet, and were keen to play the kind of uncompromisingly experimental music they’d cut their teeth playing.

However, their other intention was to combine it with influences from indie rock and electronica, rather than other forms of heavy music. Wisely, the band took their time writing and recording their first releases, waiting two years before releasing their debut record “EP C” on Monitor Records. After a further three EPs were released over the next three years, the band signed to Warp Records in 2007 for the release of their debut album “Mirrored”. The album was a critical smash all over the world, thanks in part to the success of its debut single “Atlas”, which was hailed as one of the best singles of the year by the end of 2007.

The band spent the next couple of years as one of the most critically acclaimed acts of their time, playing sold out shows wherever they could and getting songs on the soundtrack to everything from Skins to Twilight to the All Tomorrow’s Parties documentary. Following singer Braxton’s departure in 2010, the band continued as an instrumental act, drafting in vocalists like Gary Numan, Kazu Makino, and Yamantaka Eye to sing on their next album, 2011’s “Gloss Drop”. Since, the band have remained an unmissable live act, and one of the most fascinating indie rock acts of their generation.

Dave Konopka, Ian Williams and John Stanier have turned the tables on themselves this time, confronted their own ideas of what Battles is – and on their third album (release in September 2015), have willed an answer to that question into existence. As the name might imply, La Di Da Di is a mushrooming monolith of repetition. It is an organic techno thrum of nearly infinite loops that refuse to remain consistent. The rhythmic genus of Battles is here as ever; full frontal, heightened and unforgiving – the gauntlet through which melody and harmony must pass, assailed at every turn.

Live reviews

New York experimental rock outfit Battles have achieved a great balance between style and substance in their live performance. Their synonymous black and white lighting mixture offers a nice monotone effect to the whole evening and really sets a mood within the venue. It is pretty entrancing at times as you imagine watching some bizarre comic strip soundtracked by some really great rock music.

They cross the genres of experimental, math and indie all within their rock sound and this ability to vary is really impressive to see. The instruments are swapped regularly with a whole host of guitars being used to their absolute maximum to deliver the warped sounds of the recorded material. The whole show feels a lot more produced than you would expect for a band who only really appeared on the circuit in the mid-00s. They close much to the disappointment of fans after twelve developed and strung out tracks with a high point of 'Futura'.

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Battles at The Electric Ballroom, London (28th Oct 2015)

Having waited for about 8 years to see these guys, I had very high expecations prior to the gig; Battles certainly did not disappoint. I've always been a fan of their records but there is a real rawness/energy in their live show that the recordings have always failed to capture.

Watching them create the loops from scratch in real-time is a sight to behold in itself. John Stanier is an incredible drummer -- not only does he groove with style, each hit is full of precision and power. This is a band that must be experienced live -- even if you are unsure about their recorded material!

Went to see Deerhunter in SF but Battles blew me away when they opened. One of the loudest shows I've been at in a long time but could hear so many interesting things going on in all the distortion. Deerhunter is one of my favorite bands and they were awesome, but I have to say that the Battles set is what I keep thinking back to. Do not miss an opportunity to see these guys live (even if you're kind of meh on their studio stuff)

Plagued by technical difficulties the set never really got going until Atlas, then some idiot in the front threw the remains of their beer on stage causing the band to cut the song short and not to return for an encore.

Having seen them before and considered them to be an amazing, right, live band this show was extremely disappointing.

Been wanting to see Battles live for about 10 years. It was awesome. The intensity of their live show is perfectly matched by the creativity of their music. John stander is an animal and had me transfixed the entire set. If you get a chance to see them play, do not sleep on it.

EASILY THE BEST LIVE BAND I HAVE EVER SEEN IN TERMS OF INNOVATION AND DELIVERY CONSIDERING HOW COMPLICATED THEIR MUSIC IS. STANIER GIVES 100% THROUGHT THE PERFORMANCE AND IS LITERALLY COVERED IN SWEAT BY THE END. SAW THEM AT THE CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION AND WAS GOOD VIBES

Total devestation!

A live vocalist will never ever be needed ever again...

Braxton sucked anyways :-)...

Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen

After almost 15 years, Battles is still playing a high-energy, innovative and totally rockin show. I'm so glad I got to see them. Everyone I was with, who were not Battles fans, loved the show and are now big fans.

One of the best concerts I've been to. They really give it their all. Unlike anything I have ever seen before. Xenia Rubinos, the opener was awesome. Highly recommend seeing them

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Past concerts

Dickens Pub

Battles w/ Good Information & Asko - Winterruption YEG

Winterruption YEG

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Battles tour dates and tickets 2024-2025 near you

Want to see Battles in concert? Find information on all of Battles’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2024-2025.

Battles is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 4 concerts across 1 country in 2024-2025. View all concerts.

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Battles Announce U.S. Tour

By Jazz Monroe

Battles are heading out on tour in support of 2019’s Juice B Crypts , after a few years’ pandemic disruption. Their massive slate of spring, summer, and fall dates includes a string of U.S. shows supporting Primus, as well as headline and festival dates across the States and Europe. Check out the itinerary below.

In 2020, Battles released a remix EP, Juice B Mixed , which included a Black Midi remix of “Sterling Bridge.” Battles are working on a new studio album, according to a press release.

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03-26 New York, NY - Zerospace Brooklyn 04-15 Oklahoma City, OK - The Criterion * 04-16 San Antonio, TX - Majestic Theatre * 04-17 Austin, TX - Parish 04-18 Dallas, TX - Tulips 04-19 Springfield, MO - Gillioz Theatre * 04-20 Kansas City, MO - Grinders KC * 04-21 Des Moines, IA - xBk Live 04-22 Cedar Rapids, IA - McGrath Amphitheatre * 04-23 Madison, WI - The Sylvee * 04-25 Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre * 04-27 New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre * 04-28 Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Live 04-29 Chattanooga, TN - Arts Avenue 04-30 Huntsville, AL - Von Braun Center, Mars Music Hall * 05-01 Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall 05-02 Orlando, FL - Will's Pub 05-03 Miami Beach, FL - The Fillmore * 05-04 St. Petersburg, FL - Duke Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater * 05-05 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits 05-06 North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Performing Arts Center * 05-07 Saint Augustine, FL - The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre * 05-09 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium * 05-10 Fort Wayne, IN - The Clyde Theatre * 05-18 Albany, NY - Palace Theatre * 05-19 Hamden, CT - Space Ballroom 05-20 Port Chester, NY - The Capitol Theatre * 05-21 Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theater * 05-22 Huntington, NY - The Paramount * 05-23 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr Smalls Theatre 05-24 Washington, D.C. - Warner Theatre * 05-25 Bethlehem, PA - The Wind Creek Event Center * 05-26 Philadelphia, PA - Amore Music Hall 05-27 Atlantic City, NJ - The Borgata Casino Resort * 05-28 LaFayette, NY - Beak & Skiff Apple Orchas * 05-30 Louisville, KY - Old Forester's Paristown Hall * 05-31 Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live * 06-02 Milwaukee, WI - BMO Harris Pavilion * 06-03 Saint Paul, MN - Palace Theatre * 06-04 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall 06-10 Mannheim, Germany - Maifeld Derby 06-12 Rome, Italy - Largo 06-13 Milan, Italy - Circolo Magnolia 06-15 Vienna, Austria - Wuk 06-16 Budapest, Hungary - House of Music 06-17 Prague, Czech Republic - Lucerna Music Bar 06-18 Warsaw, Poland - Praga Centrum 06-19 Vilnius, Lithuania - 8 Festival 06-20 Warsaw, Poland - Praga Centrum 06-21 Glasgow, Scotland - SWG3 06-22 Birmingham, England - The Castle & Falcon 06-23 London, England - Village Underground 08-13 La Locle, Switzerland - Rock Altitude Festival 08-17 Cologne, Germany - Artheater 08-20 Gueret, France - Check In Party 08-22 Utrecht, Netherlands - TivoliVredenburg 08-23 Rotteam, Netherlands - Rotown 08-24 Groningen, Netherlands - Vera 08-25 Vilar de Mouros, Portugal - EDP 08-27 Malaga, Spain - Canela Party 08-29 Munich, Germany - Ampere 08-30 Berlin, Germany - Hole 09-01 Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega 09-03 Manchester, England - Psych Fest

* with Primus

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Battles have announced a massive tour in support of their 2019 album Juice B Cry, which will take them across the United States and Europe. Check out the band’s tour schedule below.

According to a press release, Battles are currently working on the follow-up to Juice B Crypts . They last released the Juice B Mixed  in 2020.

Battles 2022 Tour Dates:

Mar 26 New York, NY – Zerospace Brooklyn Apr 15 Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion * Apr 16 San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre * Apr 17 Austin, TX – Parish Apr 18 Dallas, TX – Tulips Apr 19 Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre * Apr 20 Kansas City, MO – Grinders KC * Apr 21 Des Moines, IA – xbk Apr 22 Cedar Rapids, IA – McGrath Amphitheatre * Apr 23 Madison, WI – The Sylvee * Apr 25 Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre * Apr 27 New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theatre * Apr 28 Baton Rouge, LA – Chelsea’s Live Apr 29 Chattanooga, TN – Arts Avenue Apr 30 Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center, Mars Music Hall * May 1 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall May 2 Orlando, FL – Will’s Pub May 3 Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore * May 4 St. Petersburg, FL – Duke Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater * May 5 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits May 6 North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center * May 7 Saint Augustine, FL – The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre * May 9 Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium * May 10 Fort Wayne, IN – The Clyde Theatre * May 18 Albany, NY – Palace Theatre * May 19 Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom May 20 Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre * May 21 Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theater * May 22 Huntington, NY – The Paramount * May 23 Pittsburgh, PA – Mr Smalls May 24 Washington, DC – Warner Theatre * May 25 Bethlehem, PA – The Wind Creek Event Center * May 26 Philadelphia, PA – Amore Music Hall May 27 Atlantic City, NJ – The Borgata Casino Resort * May 28 LaFayette, NY – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchas * May 30 Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall * May 31 Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live * Jun 2 Milwaukee, WI – BMO Harris Pavilion * Jun 3 Saint Paul, MN – Palace Theatre * Jun 4 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall Jun 10 Mannheim, Germany – Maifeld Derby Jun 12 Rome, Italy – Largo Jun 13 Milan, Italy – Circolo Magnolia Jun 15 Vienna, Austria – Wuk Jun 16 Budapest, Hungary – House of Music Jun 17 Prague, Czech Republic – Lucerna Music Bar Jun 18 Warsaw, Poland – Praga Centrum Jun 19 Vilnius, Lithuania – 8 Festival Jun 20 Warsaw, Poland – Praga Centrum Jun 21 Glasgow, Scotland – SWG3 Jun 22 Birmingham, England – The Castle & Falcon Jun 23 London, England – Village Underground Aug 13 La Locle, Switzerland – Rock Altitude Festival Aug 17 Cologne, Germany – Artheater Aug 20 Gueret, France – Check In Party Aug 22 Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg Aug 23 Rotteam, Netherlands – Rotown Aug 24 Groningen, Netherlands – Vera Aug 25 Vilar de Mouros, Portugal – EDP Aug 27 Malaga, Spain – Canela Party Aug 29 Munich, Germany – Ampere Aug 30 Berlin, Germany – Hole Sep 1 Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega Sep 3 Manchester, England – Psych Fest

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Battles on january 26, 2024.

The Starlite Room, Edmonton, Alberta

• Wed 27 Nov Newcastle upon Tyne, The Cluny Battles View tickets
• Thu 28 Nov Leeds, Brudenell Social Club Battles View tickets
• Fri 29 Nov Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach Battles View tickets
• Sat 30 Nov London, Alexandra Palace IDLES Battles, Lambrini Girls View tickets

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Download Festival 2024 review: despite all odds, a promising step in a new direction

Donington Park, June 14-16: despite tumultuous weather, threats of boycott and more, the Derby festival delivers one of its most promising editions in recent memory

It comes as no secret that this year’s edition of Download Festival began as one set to divide fans. In its 21-year history, this feels like the first time that the go-to monsters of rock have taken a step back from the bill, and an intentional push has been made to bring newer talent into the forefront. No KISS , no Ozzy , no Metallica or Judas Priest in sight, and the biggest names on the line-up have been plucked from the world of ‘00s pop-punk, rather than the eras that came before it.

“To be here is so fucking special,” Fall Out Boy ’s Pete Wentz tells the audience during their career-spanning performance on Saturday (June 15), under no illusion that their headline set wasn’t the conventional choice fans were expecting. “If you’ve got a dream like that, if you make art like that, keep making that fucking art. You’ll end up here maybe.” With that statement, he couldn’t have captured the atmosphere in the crowd better – delivering a message that not only is rock more than its ‘70s and ‘80s godfathers, but there is a hunger to welcome in the next wave of festival headliners.

It’s a theme that runs at the core of the entire three days, with the likes of Sum 41 , Wheatus , Bowling For Soup and Busted taking on huge slots across the stages, and the latter jokingly acknowledging that it’s a new era for the site. “Busted at Download… who fucking knew?’ Matt Willis quips during their set, while bandmate Charlie Simpson expresses his confidence that this isn’t a one-off, and he’ll be seeing the crowd again “next time”, too.

Of course, it’s hard to gauge the atmosphere of the 2024 edition without acknowledging the underlying political tension that surrounds it. In the run-up, Download became the latest festival to face pressure due to its sponsorship from Barclays, who have reportedly invested in arms companies supplying to Israel. Just weeks before it kicked off, The Great Escape had seen over 150 artists arrange a mass boycott in solidarity with Palestine for the same reason. Then in the days leading up to Download, a number of bands started dropping out including Pest Control , Scowl, Speed and Zulu , while eyes turned to those still on the bill for indication about what could come next.

It’s only as the festival kicks off that our minds are put at ease, with Barclays withdrawing from sponsoring Download – as well as Latitude and Isle Of Wight – and the scheduled performances taking place as planned. That being said, there is still a political charge running prevalent: both Tom Morello and Enter Shikari share how they put pressure on the festival organisers to drop the sponsorship, while Bambie Thug delivers a fitting rendition of The Cranberries’ hit ‘Zombie’ toward the end of their set while holding the Palestinian flag.

Yes, there are still some of the go-to rock veterans featured on this year’s line-up – namely Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor and the reformed version of Pantera – yet neither take to the Apex stage, which instead serves as a platform for rising talent. It’s a decision which pays off, with artists including Wargasm and Pinkshift delivering energy and vigour in their respective sets. Now is their chance to prove to the Download crowd that they have earned their spots on this stage, and they don’t hold back any punches.

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Enter Shikari first performed at Donington back in 2006, yet this is their first time on the main stage (barring the post-COVID pilot edition ). “This is the first festival that ever allowed us to play,” frontman Rou Reynolds explains during the set, gesturing to the double rainbow that reveals itself as the storm clouds finally part ways. The performance establishes the band as one of the most electrifying of the entire weekend, and leaves those next on stage, The Offspring , with a tough act to follow.

At the end of Day One, Queens Of The Stone Age set the bar high by breaking out a groove-orientated set that spans their 25-year catalogue, yet fellow headliners Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold go on to take this one step further. While Patrick Stump and Co. deliver a mammoth set on Saturday, for Avenged, the Sunday slot marks their first UK show since the release of their experimental album ‘Life Is But A Dream…’. They prove that they still know how to command their crowd, 10 years after they first took on the headline slot.

At first glance, Download 2024 seemed to be marred by a range of factors that could have signalled its downfall – even festival boss Andy Copping admitted that it was the “hardest year” to secure a line-up and the team approached over “21 bands” to find headliners. Pair that with the threat of boycott in retaliation against the Barclays sponsorship and news that this year could be the wettest in a century , and the hopes of it coming out smoothly began to waver. Yet, against the odds the festival delivers one of its most promising editions in recent memory, and proves that it is one of the main events leading the way when it comes to creating opportunities for the next generation of headliners.

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Godfather of Go-Go’s son leads Chuck Brown Band at Maryland concert to ring in Father’s Day, Juneteenth

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June 14, 2024, 6:53 AM

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It’s time to “bust loose” and ring in both Father’s Day and Juneteenth with some go-go music!

This Saturday, the Chuck Brown Band headlines a free concert at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on a lineup that includes Trouble Funk, the Luther Relives Tribute and the Brencore All Stars, along with an array of art exhibits, food trucks and activities.

WTOP caught up with Wiley Brown, who took over as lead singer for his late father, “The Godfather of Go-Go.”

“We’re definitely looking forward to having a good old time outside in the sun and getting our party on for sure,” Brown told WTOP. “This will be my first time performing at Watkins Park with the band. I know my father probably did it years ago plenty of times, but this will be my first time. … We’re definitely looking forward to bringing the people some good summertime vibes. … There’s no better way than with the Chuck Brown Band!”

Born in North Carolina in 1936, Chuck Brown moved to D.C. at age six. By age 15, he was living in the streets before spending time in prison for a deadly beating incident that he always claimed to be self-defense. After paying his debt to society, Brown would go on to pioneer go-go music to create the city’s signature sound.

“He was always singing with my grandmother in the church since he was 7,” Brown said. “The pivotal moment for him was when he was 24, during the time he was incarcerated, he learned how to play the guitar. Once he got out, there was no looking back. He began performing in people’s backyards, then he was able to perform in clubs. … After being with the Earls of Rhythm and Los Latinos, he had the insight and the drive to create his own band.”

That band was, of course, The Soul Searchers, whose first album “We the People” (1972) had a hit title track. They followed up with the successful second album “Salt of the Earth” (1974) with hits like “Blow Your Whistle” and “Ashley’s Roachclip,” which has been sampled by Eric B. & Rakim, Slick Rick, Run-DMC, Milli Vanilli and EMF.

Still, it was their third album “Bustin’ Loose” (1979) that became iconic with its catchy title track that topped the R&B charts for over a dozen weeks and has since been sampled by the likes of Nelly in “Hot in Herre.”

“When he put it out, he knew that he had something, but he didn’t know that it would take off the way it did; it took off all over the world,” Brown said. “To this day, we have people in Japan still contacting my manager and family letting us know how much they love the music. When ‘Bustin’ Loose’ hit, that really set the tone for go-go music and plenty of bands ended up popping up all over the city following my father’s foundation that he laid.”

In 1984, they dropped another hit “We Need Some Money,” sampled by Kid ‘n Play and Wreckx-n-Effect.

“He wrote it in less than 10 minutes because he needed some money; it’s the fastest song he ever wrote,” Brown said. “A lot of music artists have these moments when you’re feeling something, you’ve gotta hurry up and get it out because there’s nothing like capturing something in the moment. … There’s a chant when we perform it where he said, ‘Masterclass, Visa, American Express, I ain’t got nothin’ against no credit cards, but the cash is the best.'”

Shortly after, Wiley was born in 1989, admitting it was unique growing up watching strangers praise his dad.

“It took me until about 6 years old to understand what type of impact my father had,” Brown said. “We’d get stopped at a red light, people yelling out the car: ‘Hey, Chuck!’ … He’d get out of the car and the next thing you know, there’s a whole mob of people, honking horns. … He remembered a point in time that the only people wanting to take a picture of him were the police and he said, ‘Now the police want to take a picture with me!'”

While he began rapping at his father’s concerts at a young age, Wiley’s dream was to become a professional football player, proving to be a standout at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, Maryland, before playing at Duquesne and Virginia Tech.

While Wiley was balling out on the gridiron, his father was delivering late-in-life hits like “Block Party” (featuring DJ Kool) in 2007 and “LOVE” (featuring Jill Scott and Marcus Miller) in 2010.

After Chuck Brown sadly died in 2012, Wiley joined the Chuck Brown Band full-time in 2016.

“Being in the band started with Chuck Brown Mondays when I might come in and do a song or two, but then my dad came to me one day in a dream saying, ‘What you gonna do, son? If you gonna do something, don’t play around with it, go full force,'” Brown said. “It’s funny for some (bandmates) who have seen me grow up over the years like, ‘Man, I remember when you were a little shorty, a little guy coming to band rehearsals and look at you now!'”

Today, his father’s name still graces signs reading “Chuck Brown Way” along 7th Street between T Street and Florida Avenue in Northwest D.C. If you live in that general area, head just over the D.C.-Maryland border to Prince George’s County to enjoy this weekend’s concert at Watkins Regional Park.

Just as his father’s fans chanted, “Wind me up, Chuck,” today’s fans have a similar request:

Wind us up, Wiley!

Listen to our full conversation on the podcast below:

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Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.

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SNYDE | Ian McKellen hospitalized after falling off…

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SNYDE | Ian McKellen hospitalized after falling off stage during London performance

The 85-year-old star was appearing in “Player Kings” at the Noël Coward theater in London when he lost his footing during a battle scene.

“Player Kings” is a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV.” McKellen plays Falstaff in the show.

He fell off the front of the stage and cried out in pain as the crew rushed to help him and the audience was evacuated, BBC News reported. The rest of the show was cancelled soon after.

His condition was not immediately known, but a rep told Deadline he was “doing OK.” He was expected to make a full recovery , according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“Thank you to our audience and the general public for their well wishes following Ian’s fall during this evening’s performance of ‘Player Kings,'” a McKellen rep said in a statement. “Following a scan, the brilliant NHS team have assured us that he will make a speedy and full recovery and Ian is in good spirits.”

McKellen, who played Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” movies and Magneto in several “X-Men” films, has been appearing in “Player Kings” since its West End run began in April. The show is scheduled for 12 weeks, but it’s unclear if that will be extended or shortened because of McKellen’s injuries.

The thespian frequently appears in productions in London and on Broadway.

He’s won a Tony Award, six Olivier Awards, a Golden Globe Award, five BAFTA Awards and five Emmy Awards. He’s also been nominated for two Oscars.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1991.

In 2018, McKellen was forced to cancel a performance of “King Lear” after he hurt his leg while running for a train . He instead turned the event into a Q&A for the audience.

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