KISS cancel Manchester Arena gig in wake of terror attack: ‘We are heartbroken by the atrocity’

KISS have cancelled their Manchester Arena concert following Monday’s devastating terror attack.

The US rock band had been scheduled to play at the venue on May 30, just one week after a suicide bomb killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande gig.

In a statement, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer said that they were “heartbroken” by the atrocity, saying that a cancelled show was of “little consequence” following this week’s events.

“We are heartbroken by the atrocity committed against the innocent victims of Manchester. We sadly will not to be able to play Manchester Arena on the 30th May,” it read.

“We have always looked forward to these shows and our local fans, but in light of recent events a cancelled rock show seems of such little consequence.”

It continued: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those affected and all the people of Manchester at this difficult time. We are with you and you are in our prayers.

Acts including Blondie and Take That also cancelled concerts in the wake of the attack, while Simple Minds went ahead with their show in Manchester just 24 hours after the incident.

London premieres of Wonder Woman and The Mummy, which were due to take place in London’s Leicester Square next week, have also been cancelled.

Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the UK’s security threat from severe to critical following the terrorist attack, with an increased presence of armed forces on the streets of all major cities.