Several UK concerts by singer Ian McNabb have been cancelled after he made 'disgraceful' social media comments in the wake of Russell Brand being jailed for 10-and-a-half years for rape and sexual assault. Promoter Ewan McNaught confirmed the decision on Facebook, stating he 'can't work with' McNabb moving forward.
Brand was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday (November 9) after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial. Mr Justice Bennathan criticised Brand's "staggering arrogance" during sentencing. The jury found him not guilty of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
Promoter's Decision
McNabb, former frontman of the Icicle Works, was due to play The Cluny 2 in Newcastle on November 25. McNaught took to Facebook on Tuesday (November 10) to announce the cancellation, writing: "I hate cancelling gigs, and it's one of the few times in my career that I've had to do it, but not only can I not defend Ian McNabb's disgraceful social media comments in support of Russell Brand, as a husband and a father of a young daughter, I simply can't work with him moving forward."
McNaught added: "I've spoken to his agent and to the venues, and we're all on the same page on this, and these won't be the only shows on his tour that are cancelled. I'm told another five were cancelled today."
Cancelled Tour Dates
McNaught confirmed the specific shows affected: "As a result, Ian McNabb's shows later this month at The Cluny 2 in Newcastle (25.11.26), Cottiers, Glasgow (26.11.26) and The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh (27.11.26) have all been cancelled. Refunds available from point of purchase."
He emphasised: "As an addendum, I'd like to emphasise that it wasn't a unilateral decision. There was broad consensus between agent, promoter and venues that these shows simply couldn't go ahead under the circumstances."
McNabb's Response
McNabb's social media post, which McNaught attached as a screenshot, declared that Brand had been 'stitched up', adding: 'I know girls who were in his orbit and girls were throwing themselves at him every night. If that happened to me I know what I'd do...yer pay your money you takes yer chance..'
McNabb himself addressed the cancellations on X (formerly Twitter), telling a fan he'd been 'cancelled..' and adding to a wider audience: "Tour is cancelled."
Since Brand's sentencing, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that further criminal allegations have been made to police since the beginning of his trial. The force said several people have been in contact during and since the conclusion of the 51-year-old's case, providing further information or reporting potential criminal allegations, with detectives assessing the information as part of ongoing inquiries.
