Morrissey canceled two U.S. shows on Friday morning after authorities said there was a credible threat to his life. The English singer-songwriter, known for his work with The Smiths, was slated to perform at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut on Friday and at MGM Music Hall in Boston on Saturday. In a statement posted to his official social media accounts, the artist and his team said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution for both the artist and the band, and that all tickets would be refunded automatically at their original point of purchase.
The cancellations followed the arrest of Noah Castellano, a 26-year-old Canadian, on charges of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm after he allegedly posted a plan to attend Morrissey's Ottawa appearance at CityFolk and shoot the singer with a large gun he reportedly owned illegally. The post appeared on Bluesky under a handle referencing violence toward the performer. Castellano was taken into custody Friday and later released on a $5,000 bail. Ottawa Citizen reported that Castellano's father said his son must remain in Washington, D.C., as a bail condition.
Despite the threat and the U.S. cancellations, Morrissey still headlined CityFolk in Ottawa, a performance that drew attention and controversy. The festival's organizers noted Morrissey's vegetarian beliefs, and vendors were asked to refrain from selling meat on the day of his appearance; a barbecue truck and other vendors agreed to comply with the meat-free mandate. Security at the venue also warned that attendees could be searched for animal products on arrival.
The broader narrative around Morrissey has included criticism of his remarks on race and immigration, with civil rights organizations condemning some comments and activists calling for boycotts of his shows. He has at times been linked to far-right positions, though he has also maintained a large base of devoted fans worldwide.
Ticket refunds for the canceled U.S. performances will be issued automatically at the original point of purchase, according to the venues' statements.