Priority Shift: Alice In Chains Cancel Tour After Drummer Sean Kinney Suffers Medical Emergency

The legendary Seattle grunge band Alice in Chains was forced to abruptly cancel their entire upcoming spring tour, including all headlining shows and festival appearances, following a medical emergency suffered by co-founding drummer Sean Kinney. The initial cancellation occurred just hours before they were due to take the stage for their tour kick-off at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on May 8, 2025. While the band confirmed that the incident was a “non-life-threatening medical emergency” and that Kinney’s long-term prognosis remains positive, they made the difficult decision to scrap all dates to prioritize the drummer’s health and allow him to receive immediate medical attention. The sudden cancellation left thousands of fans disappointed but also rallied them in support of the veteran musician’s well-being.

The Abrupt Halt to the Tour Kick-Off

The crisis began shortly after Alice in Chains completed their soundcheck at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Sean Kinney experienced a sudden medical emergency serious enough to force the band to pull the plug on their highly anticipated first full show in over a year. The band quickly released a statement on social media, apologizing for the late-notice cancellation and assuring fans that Kinney’s condition was “non-life-threatening.”

Despite the band’s eagerness to return to the stage, the severity of the situation necessitated a broader action. The day after the initial cancellation, the grunge pioneers announced that they would not proceed with their scheduled spring tour dates. In a statement, the band expressed deep regret but emphasized that after consulting medical professionals, they determined that “Sean’s health is our top priority at this moment.” The decision affected numerous shows and major festival slots that the band had been booked for in the coming months.

Kinney’s Personal Message and Five Stages of Grief

Days after the widespread tour cancellation, drummer Sean Kinney—who is generally private and avoids social media—released a statement to the public to provide reassurance and express gratitude. He acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans who had spent money and made extensive plans to attend the shows, calling the situation “deeply disappointing.”

Kinney candidly addressed his struggle to accept the doctor’s orders to refrain from playing. He humorously outlined his personal emotional process by referencing the Kübler-Ross model, detailing his journey through the “5 Stages of Grief” in relation to his health: Denial (“I’m fine”), Anger (“F*** this—I’m still going to play”), Bargaining, Depression, and finally, Acceptance. He concluded with a characteristic touch of dark humor, stating that the “good news is that I’m going to be fine and I’m going to live. The bad news (for some of you?) is that I’m going to be fine and I’m going to live.”

A Difficult but Necessary Decision

The core message from the band, which has been performing consistently since the mid-1980s, was one of solidarity and focus on long-term stability. The collective decision to cancel the entire run of dates, rather than attempting to perform without Kinney or hiring a fill-in drummer, speaks volumes about the original members’ unity and deep-seated commitment to one another. Kinney is one of the two continuous founding members, alongside guitarist Jerry Cantrell, and is foundational to the group’s distinctive, heavy sound.

The band’s statement noted that the medical issue required “immediate attention,” confirming that while the drummer’s long-term health prognosis is positive, taking immediate action was deemed critical by medical professionals. This unified front reassured fans that the band was not simply brushing off the issue, but making a responsible decision to safeguard their co-founder’s health for the future.

Impact on Fans and Upcoming Plans

The cancellation meant that fans, who had waited patiently for the band’s return to the stage, would have to wait even longer. The tour would have been Alice in Chains’ first major run since 2023, and it included several anticipated festival appearances. The group made sure to confirm that refunds for the canceled shows are available at the point of purchase.

Despite the setback, the band’s quick and transparent communication, coupled with Kinney’s personal message, was largely met with understanding and an outpouring of support from the grunge community. The focus has now shifted to the drummer’s recovery, with the hope that Alice in Chains will soon be able to reschedule their dates and fulfill their commitment to their loyal fanbase once Kinney is fully cleared to return to his place behind the drum kit.