The rock supergroup Hollywood Vampires, featuring Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, and Joe Perry, is now dealing with a legal fight over a show that never happened. A concert promoter from Slovakia has taken the band to federal court in Texas, claiming they kept a large advance payment after canceling a July 2023 performance. The band is pushing back and wants the case thrown out.
The cancelled show was supposed to take place at Olympic Fields in Slovakia. The promoter says he paid the group $277,000 upfront for their performance. But the band cancelled on the day of the show, and the promoter claims he never got his money back despite asking for it.
Why the Band Canceled the Slovakia Show
The Hollywood Vampires said they had no choice but to cancel due to safety problems at the venue. The band put out a statement on Instagram at the time explaining their decision.
“Upon arrival today to the venue in Slovakia to begin set up for tonight’s performance, it quickly became clear that the construction of the facility was incomplete, and therefore unsafe for both the band and the general public.” – Hollywood Vampires Statement, July 2023
The band also said they were upset about what happened and hoped to return when their schedules allowed. The statement clarified that this cancellation was not connected to another cancelled show in Budapest two days earlier.
The Promoter’s Claims Against Hollywood Vampires
The Slovak promoter, operating under the name Profi Event, sees things differently. In the court filing, he claims the real reason for the cancellation was Johnny Depp being hospitalized for an unknown medical issue. The promoter says the band cancelled for “personal reasons unrelated to the venue.”
He also argues that the cancellation caused him to lose money and hurt his reputation, making him look “unreliable in the industry.” The promoter wants his $277,000 back, saying the band never responded to his requests for a refund.
Band Fights Back in Federal Court
Lawyers for the Hollywood Vampires are asking the court to dismiss the case. Their main argument is that the Texas federal court has no legal reason to handle this dispute. The band says the promoter failed to show that Texas has what is called “personal jurisdiction” over the band for this matter.
A source close to Johnny Depp told media outlets that this is basically “a two-and-a-half-year-old matter concerning safety at the venue.” The source also said it was a group decision to cancel because the venue was unsafe.
The Hollywood Vampires Lineup
For those unfamiliar with the band, the Hollywood Vampires are a rock supergroup that came together in 2015. The current lineup includes:
- Johnny Depp – actor and guitarist
- Alice Cooper – legendary rock singer known for “School’s Out”
- Joe Perry – Aerosmith’s famous guitarist
- Tommy Henriksen – guitarist who works closely with Alice Cooper
The band plays a mix of original songs and covers of rock classics from bands like The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Motörhead. They named themselves after a drinking club Alice Cooper started in the 1970s with his famous musician friends.
Band Plans 2026 Tour Despite Legal Issues
While dealing with this lawsuit, the Hollywood Vampires are also getting ready for their first tour in three years. The group confirmed a series of shows across the UK and Europe for August and September 2026.
Joe Perry told radio host Eddie Trunk in 2025 that getting the band to tour is hard because everyone has busy schedules. He said about Johnny Depp: “When he’s on a project, he’s got to carve out months. And even then, he has to be available for things.”
The band shared their excitement about returning to the stage. They said: “We’re looking forward to incredible crowds, massive energy and more unforgettable nights. See you all soon!”
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Hollywood Vampires 2026 Tour Dates
The band will perform at these locations:
United Kingdom
- Aug. 12 – London @ The O2
- Aug. 14 – Cardiff @ Depot Live Cardiff Castle
- Aug. 15 – Scarborough @ Scarborough Open Air Theatre
- Aug. 17 – Glasgow @ OVO Hydro
- Aug. 18 – Manchester @ AO Arena
- Aug. 19 – Birmingham @ Utilita Arena
- Aug. 21 – Colchester @ Colchester Castle Summer Series
- Aug. 22 – Halifax @ Live at the Piece Hall
Europe
- Aug. 25 – Nuremberg, Germany @ PSD Bank Nurnberg Arena
- Aug. 26 – Paris, France @ Adidas Arena
- Aug. 28 – Cologne, Germany @ Lanxess Arena
- Aug. 30 – Hamburg, Germany @ Barclays Arena
- Sept. 1 – Milan, Italy @ Parco Della Musica
- Sept. 2 – Este, Italy @ Castello Carrese
- Sept. 3 – Pula, Croatia (newly added)
- Sept. 5 – St. Pölten, Austria (newly added)
- Sept. 6 – Prague, Czech Republic (newly added)
The band also has a documentary in the works. Joe Perry mentioned seeing a rough cut, saying “it’s pretty amazing.”
What Happens Next With the Lawsuit
The legal fight is just getting started. The Texas court will need to decide if it can hear the case at all. If the judge agrees with the band that there is no jurisdiction, the case could be dismissed. If not, the court will look at whether the promoter deserves his money back and if the band’s safety concerns were valid.
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