Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner weighs in on bands touring without original members
Author Benedetta Baldin - 20.4.2026
In a recent interview with the Metal Forever Music Defenders Of Metal podcast, guitarist Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest talked about how some fans have criticised bands like RUSH for deciding to perform again without the entire iconic lineup, as per Blabbermouth. When asked about his thoughts on long-running bands touring without all of the original members, Richie responded as follows.
I think as long as the guys wanna do it, they should do it. If people don’t wanna go, then don’t go. And people kind of vote with their ticket, don’t they? If RUSH got up there and you’ve got 20,000 people in an auditorium and the guys wanna do it, do it. But if RUSH turned up and there was five people there, they’ve got an issue. Maybe people don’t wanna see it. I can name other bands as well. If the guys wanna do it and people are showing up in the thousands to see it, then why not do it? If people don’t wanna go, then don’t. Simple as that. That’s what I’d say.
The current Priest touring lineup, which also features drummer Scott Travis and guitarists Faulkner and Andy Sneap, only has vocalist Rob Halford and bassist Ian Hill from Judas Priest’s “classic” lineup.
Upcoming shows:
- Sunday, September 21, 2026 – London, United Kingdom – Eventim Apollo
- Saturday, July 25, 2026 – Mönchengladbach, Germany – Bobfest 2026
- Sunday, July 26, 2026 – Halle, Germany – MESSEHALLE
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026 – Warszawa, Poland – TORWAR I Hala Widowiskowa
- Friday, July 31, 2026 – Wacken, Germany – Wacken Open Air 2026
- Sunday, August 2, 2026 – Ostrava, Czechia – OSTRAVAR ARENA
- Tuesday, August 4, 2026 – Bratislava, Slovakia – NEPALA ARENA
- Thursday, August 6, 2026 – Neu-Ulm, Germany – WILEYSPORTPARK
- Sunday, August 9, 2026 – Burton Upon Trent, United Kingdom – Bloodstock Open Air 2026
- Wednesday, August 12, 2026 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13
- Friday, August 14, 2026 – Bremen, Germany – RE-LOAD FESTIVAL
- Sunday, August 16, 2026 – Carhaix-Plouguer, France – MOTOCULTUR FESTIVAL
- Tuesday, August 18, 2026 – Salinas De Pamplona, Spain – NAVARRA ARENA
- Thursday, August 20, 2026 – València, Spain – Roig Arena
- Sunday, August 23, 2026 – Sankt Goarshausen, Germany – LORELEY AMPHITEATRE
- Monday, August 25, 2026 – Pula, Croatia – Pula Arena
- Thursday, August 28, 2026 – Belgrade, Serbia – Belgrade Arena
- Friday, August 29, 2026 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Vidas Art Arena
- Monday, September 1, 2026 – Budapest, Hungary – Budapest Arena
- Wednesday, September 3, 2026 – Pordenone, Italy – Parco S. Valentino
- Friday, September 5, 2026 – Brescia, Italy – Teatro Clerici
- Sunday, September 7, 2026 – Bari, Italy – Fiera del Levante
- Tuesday, September 9, 2026 – Rome, Italy – Cava Auditorium Parco della Musica
- Thursday, September 11, 2026 – Bern, Switzerland – Festhalle
- Friday, September 12, 2026 – Strasbourg, France – Zénith
- Sunday, September 14, 2026 – Lyon, France – LDLC Arena
- Monday, September 15, 2026 – Bordeaux, France – Arkea Arena
- Wednesday, September 17, 2026 – Paris, France – Arena Zénith
- Thursday, September 18, 2026 – Brussels, Belgium – Forest National
- Monday, September 21, 2026 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo
