Tour cancellation due to online protests regarding Pentagram performances
Pentagram's Australian and New Zealand Tour Cancelled Amid Controversy
Pentagram, the legendary American heavy metal band, has found itself in the centre of a storm this year, with the cancellation of their debut tour in Australia and New Zealand. The controversy surrounds the band's frontman, Bobby Liebling, who was convicted in 2017 for abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult, his 87-year-old mother.
In 2017, Liebling was sentenced to 18 months in Maryland’s Montgomery County Detention Center and three years of probation after entering a plea deal where he pled guilty to abuse/neglect charges but not guilty to first-degree assault [1]. As a result, Pentagram announced in 2025 that they would be touring without Liebling for certain dates [3].
The controversy surrounding Liebling's conviction led to the cancellation of Pentagram’s 2025 Australian and New Zealand tour after protests and public outcry, particularly centered on concerns raised by organizations addressing violence against vulnerable adults and women [2][4]. The touring company, Hardline Media, confirmed that no visas had been granted and put the tour on hold due to these allegations and public pressure [2].
No venues or any staff are currently party to the allegations against Liebling in Australia or New Zealand. Ticket holders were informed of the postponement and thanked for their understanding.
The Red Heart Campaign, an organization advocating against violence, posted on social media, labeling Liebling a "violent thug" and criticizing Australian venues and government for allowing him to perform [5]. In 2016, Wax Idols and King Woman abandoned tour dates with Pentagram due to harassment [6]. Hether Fortune and Kristina Esfandiari, singers of Wax Idols and King Woman respectively, claimed they were harassed during the tour.
No new statements have been made by Tony Burke, Australia's Immigration Minister, or Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister, regarding the Pentagram tour. Six Pentagram shows in the UK were postponed until 2026 due to immigration issues [7]. As of now, no new information about VISAs for the Pentagram Australian/New Zealand Tour has been provided.
References:
[1] The Washington Post
[2] The Sydney Morning Herald
[3] Billboard
[4] Red Heart Campaign
[5] Red Heart Campaign
[6] Metal Sucks
[7] NME
- The legendary American heavy metal band, Pentagram, found their tour in Australia and New Zealand cancelled due to controversy surrounding the conviction of their frontman, Bobby Liebling, for abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult.
- Despite Pentagram announcing they would tour without Liebling for certain dates in 2025, the controversy led to the cancellation of the 2025 Australian and New Zealand tour due to protests, public outcry, and concerns raised by organizations addressing violence against vulnerable adults and women.
- Ticket holders were informed of the postponement of the Pentagram Australian and New Zealand Tour, with no venues or any staff being party to the allegations against Liebling in these countries.
- The Red Heart Campaign, an organization advocating against violence, criticized Australian venues and government for allowing Liebling to perform, labeling him a "violent thug" on social media.
- Six Pentagram shows in the UK were postponed until 2026 due to immigration issues, and as of now, no new information about VISAs for the Pentagram Australian/New Zealand Tour has been provided.
