Rage Against The Machine Cancel Their 2023 North American Tour

During their recent North American run, Rage Against The Machine’s Zach de la Rocha seriously injured his leg part way through the tour. Due to the injury, RATM announced in August that they were canceling the European leg of the tour scheduled for September of this year, citing ‘medical guidance’ and rehabilitation for Zach. As of today, it looks like RATM has taken the same action for the rest of their 2023 North American dates. The band’s official twitter released an official statement today penned by Zach, detailing the significants of his leg injury and the cancelation of their 2023 North American tour dates.

“It’s been almost three months since Chicago and I still look down at my leg in disbelief. Two years of waiting through the pandemic hoping we would have an opening to be a band again and continue the work we started 30 some odd years ago. Rehearsing, training, reconciling, working our way back to form. Then one-and-a-half shows into it and my tendon tears. Felt like a sick joke the universe played on me. As I write this I remind myself it’s just bad circumstance. Just a f**ked up moment.

Unfortunately it is a moment that requires a lot of work and healing. I have a severe tear in my left achilles tendon and only 8 percent of my tendon was left intact. And even that was severely compromised. It’s not simply a question of being able to perform again, but extends to basic functionality going forward. That’s why I’ve made the painful and difficult decision to cancel the remaining shows on our 2023 North American leg.

I hate cancelling shows. I hate disappointing our fans. You have all waited so patiently to see us and that is never lost on me. I never take that for granted. For you I have the ultimate gratitude and respect.

To my brothers Tim, Brad, and Tom; to El P, Killer Mike, Trackstar and the whole RTJ crew; to everyone on our production team: techs, cooks, drivers, assistants, security squad, to anyone and everyone who made the shows thus far possible, all my love and respect. I hope to see you very soon.”

– Zack de la Rocha.

All things considered, Rage Against The Machine’s reunion tour has seen a bit of a rocky start since its announcement in early 2020. While of course the pandemic played a big factor in the tour’s delay, Zach’s leg injury seems to have gotten more serious than initially suspected. After the injury occurred the singer managed to perform for the rest of the shows on their recent North American run, albeit sitting down for a majority of the set. However, as it’s since been revealed the band is taking even further precautions to ensure a full and proper recovery for Zach’s injury. Obviously it’s disappointing for both the band and fans to see further delays in this massive reunion tour, especially given the current political climate and the necessity for a band like RATM in these times, but it’s more important that the band are able to come back in full force. And who knows, maybe we’ll get some new and long overdue RATM music during these delays.