San Francisco Bay Area metal titans MACHINE HEAD are set to embark on a European tour in June, marking their return to the festival circuit after nearly a decade
The 18-date trek will kick off on June 2 in Groningen, Netherlands, featuring a blend of headlining shows and festival appearances.
This tour signifies a significant shift for frontman Robb Flynn, who had previously sworn off festival performances due to burnout. However, the band’s participation in special events like the 2022 edition of the U.K.’s Bloodstock Open Air and a headlining slot at the 2023 Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium prompted a change of heart for Flynn and his bandmates.
MACHINE HEAD 2024 European tour dates:
June 02 – Oosterpoort – Groningen, Netherlands **
June 04 – 013 – Tilburg, Netherlands **
June 06 – Mystic Festival – Gdansk, Poland
June 08 – Rock Im Park – Nürnberg, Germany
June 09 – Rock Am Ring – Nürburgring, Germany
June 10 – Forum Karlin – Prague, Czech Republic **
June 11 – Live Club – Milan, Italy **
June 13 – Greenfield – Interlaken, Switzerland
June 14 – Nova Rock – Nickelsdorf, Austria
June 16 – Download Festival – Donington, England
June 17 – SWG3 Galvanizers – Glasgow, Scotland **
June 20 – Docks – Hamburg, Germany **
June 21 – Copenhell – Copenhagen, Denmark
June 23 – Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel, Belgium
June 26 – Resurrection Festival – Viveiro, Spain
June 28 – Hellfest – Clisson, France
June 29 – Evil Live Festival – Lisbon, Portugal
July 04 – Rockwave Nights – Athens, Greece
** MACHINE HEAD headline show
HAVOK guitarist Reece Alan Scruggs currently fills in the touring roster for MACHINE HEAD. Scruggs took over from MACHINE HEAD‘s former guitarist, Wacław “Vogg” Kiełtyka, who was unable to attend some recent shows due to commitments with his main band, DECAPITATED.
Scruggs debuted live with MACHINE HEAD in November 2022 at Strummer’s in Fresno, California, marking the beginning of the “Electric Happy Hour (Live)” tour.
Vogg had previously joined MACHINE HEAD‘s touring lineup just before the start of the band’s “Burn My Eyes” 25th-anniversary tour in late 2019.
Completing MACHINE HEAD‘s lineup are guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn, bassist Jared MacEachern, and British drummer Matt Alston, known for his work with DEVILMENT and EASTERN FRONT.
MACHINE HEAD launched their “Slaughter The Martour” North American tour on January 19 with a hometown performance at the Warfield in San Francisco, California. The tour, featuring support from FEAR FACTORY, ORBIT CULTURE, and GATES TO HELL, will conclude on February 24 at The Bellwether in Los Angeles, California.
In April of the previous year, MACHINE HEAD canceled their scheduled spring 2023 U.S. tour citing “work visa issues,” as several band members and crew reside outside the U.S.
The “Electric Happy Hour (Live)” trek, comprising 18 dates, was initially set to begin on May 15, 2023, in Ventura, California, with stops in Des Moines, Fort Wayne, and Detroit before concluding in Los Angeles on June 9, 2023.
Since August 2022, MACHINE HEAD has embarked on a tour in support of their latest album, “Of Kingdom And Crown,” following up on the release of their 2018 album “Catharsis.” The new album features tracks previously showcased on the 2021 single “Arrows In Words From The Sky,” including “Become The Firestorm,” “Rotten,” and “Arrows In Words From The Sky.” The majority of the album was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, with engineer/producer Zack Ohren at the helm.
In November 2020, MACHINE HEAD unveiled a single titled “My Hands Are Empty” via Nuclear Blast. This marked a significant collaboration between frontman Robb Flynn and original “Burn My Eyes” guitarist Logan Mader, their first musical partnership in 24 years.
Formed in Oakland, California in 1991, the band has undergone various lineup changes over the years, with guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn remaining a consistent driving force.
Their debut album, “Burn My Eyes” (1994), catapulted them into the metal scene with its fusion of thrash and groove metal elements. Since then, MACHINE HEAD has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “The Blackening” (2007), which earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance.
Throughout their career, MACHINE HEAD has tackled social and political themes in their music, addressing issues ranging from personal struggles to global injustices. Their intense live performances and unwavering dedication to their craft have solidified their status as one of metal’s most influential bands.
With a discography spanning over two decades, MACHINE HEAD continues to push boundaries and inspire generations of metalheads worldwide.