Grammy-nominated English singer-songwriter Morrissey, the iconic former frontman of The Smiths, has abruptly canceled two highly anticipated shows in the United States due to what authorities and his management are calling a “credible threat” to his life. The cancellations, announced just hours before he was set to take the stage at the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut on September 20, 2025, and the following night at Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway, have sent shockwaves through the music community and Morrissey's devoted fanbase.
“Due to recent events and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of both the artist and band, the upcoming shows this weekend at Foxwoods and MGM Music Hall have been cancelled. All tickets will be refunded automatically at your original point of purchase,” read an official statement posted to Morrissey’s social media accounts. The message, echoed by the venues themselves, underscored the seriousness of the situation: “In recent days, there has been a credible threat on Morrissey’s life. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of both the artist and audience, tonight’s engagement at Foxwoods has been cancelled. We appreciate your understanding.”
According to CBS News and Rolling Stone, the threat at the center of these cancellations traces back to Noah Castellano, a 26-year-old resident of Ottawa, Canada. Court documents and police statements reveal that Castellano posted a chilling message on September 4, 2025, on the social media platform Bluesky under the handle “guy who gets shot in the head one hundred thousand times a day.” The post, addressed directly to Morrissey, stated: “Steven Patrick Morrissey when you perform at TD Place here in Ottawa next week on the evening of September 12th, 2025 at about 9pm, I will be present at the venue in the audience and I will attempt to shoot you many times and kill you with a very large gun that I own illegally.”
Despite the explicit and alarming nature of this threat, Morrissey proceeded with his scheduled performance at the CityFolk Festival in Ottawa on September 12. The festival itself declined to comment on the threat or whether there had been any consideration of canceling the show. When contacted by the Ottawa Citizen, Castellano offered no insight into his motives or state of mind, simply stating, “I’m not interested,” when asked for comment on the charges.
Law enforcement acted quickly—Castellano was arrested and charged with “threats to cause death or bodily harm,” according to Rolling Stone and the Ottawa Citizen. He was released on $5,000 bail and, as a condition of his release, is now mandated to reside at his father’s home in the Washington, D.C. area while the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not disclosed whether any additional threats have been made or if ongoing security concerns influenced the decision to cancel the Connecticut and Boston shows, but the language of the official statements suggests a deep concern for the safety of both Morrissey and his entourage.
Morrissey’s North American tour, which kicked off on September 10 in Montreal, was meant to be a triumphant return to the stage for the enigmatic artist. After Montreal, the tour moved through Toronto and New York City, including a well-received date on September 16 at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. The now-canceled Connecticut and Boston shows were to be followed by concerts in Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. According to Rolling Stone, the next scheduled performances are set for September 23 at The Met Philadelphia and September 25 at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh. There is no official word yet on whether these or subsequent dates will be affected by the ongoing security situation.
Looking further ahead, Morrissey is slated to embark on a Latin American leg of his tour beginning October 31, with stops planned in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. For now, fans in those countries—and indeed around the world—wait anxiously for updates, hoping the threat is contained and that the beloved singer can safely continue sharing his music.
The incident has reignited conversations about artist safety and the role of social media in amplifying threats. In an age where direct access to public figures is just a post away, musicians and their teams are increasingly forced to make difficult decisions balancing artistic commitments with personal security. The fact that Morrissey went ahead with his Ottawa performance despite the threat has drawn both praise and concern from fans and commentators. Some see it as a testament to his resilience and dedication to his audience, while others wonder whether the risks outweighed the rewards.
Venue operators and festival organizers, too, are under scrutiny. The CityFolk Festival’s decision not to comment on the threat or potential cancellation has left some concertgoers uneasy. As one industry insider told Rolling Stone, “These kinds of threats are never taken lightly, especially in today’s climate. The safety of artists, fans, and staff has to be the top priority, even if it means disappointing people in the short term.”
Meanwhile, the legal process for Castellano continues. The charge of making threats to cause death or bodily harm is a serious one, and the investigation remains active. Law enforcement officials have not released further details about Castellano’s background or whether he had any means to carry out his threat. For now, his bail conditions keep him under close supervision, but the lingering question remains: how does the music industry respond to threats in the digital age, and what more can be done to protect artists?
The cancellations have left fans in Connecticut and Boston disappointed, but most seem to understand the gravity of the situation. Social media has been flooded with messages of support for Morrissey, many expressing relief that the artist and his team chose caution over risk. “We appreciate your understanding,” the official statements repeat—a sentiment that, for now, seems to be shared by the vast majority of those affected.
As the tour is set to continue, all eyes are on Morrissey’s next moves. Will further shows be canceled, or will additional security measures allow the singer to proceed as planned? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: in a world where threats can materialize online in an instant, the safety of artists like Morrissey cannot be taken for granted.
For now, the music pauses in Connecticut and Boston, but the conversation around safety, responsibility, and resilience in the face of danger plays on.
