As I Lay Dying are scheduled to take the stage at Zappa Tel Aviv on March 23. The booking has quickly become another polarizing moment for the band, given the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.
After the date was revealed, the band faced backlash from critics who questioned their decision to perform in Israel amid the current conflict. Responding directly to a comment left under the show announcement, the group issued the following statement:
“Just to be clear, we are traveling across the world to perform with some of our friends in another great band for people that see past government control and want to unite over music.”
“If disagreeing with the government meant I could not perform music, then I would not be able to play music in my garage or my home studio. there wouldn’t be able to be any AILD music at all. “
The announcement follows earlier controversy surrounding the band’s decision to schedule performances in Russia amid that country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The tour is billed as a continuation of the 20th-anniversary celebrations for their landmark 2005 album, Shadows Are Security.
The band, led by founding vocalist Tim Lambesis, played three concerts in the country this past October. Following the commercial success of those initial dates, the group has committed to a more extensive run that includes several arena performances across the region.
In an Instagram post, the band expressed enthusiasm about the invitation to return.
“After 3 sold out shows, we have been invited back to Russia for an arena tour. See you all in March! Thank you for so many great memories already and more to come.”
The decision to tour the region remains a point of contention in the music industry. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the vast majority of Western artists have boycotted performing in Russia due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions. As I Lay Dying remains one of the few prominent American metal acts to book extensive dates in the country during the ongoing conflict.
This tour will feature the band’s newly reconstructed lineup. As I Lay Dying underwent a significant transformation in late 2024 following a mass exodus of its previous members. Lambesis, left as the sole remaining member, rebuilt the group from the ground up, unveiling the new roster in October 2025 just prior to their return to the stage.
As I Lay Dying 2026 Russian Tour Dates:
- March 03 – Krasnodar, RUS – Krop Arena Krasnodar
- March 04 – Rostov-on-Don, RUS – Krop Arena Rostov
- March 07 – Kazan, RUS – Korston Club
- March 08 – Nizhny Novgorod, RUS – Milo Concert Hall
- March 10 – Samara, RUS – Metelica C
- March 12 – Ufa, RUS – Ogni Ufy
- March 14 – Chelyabinsk, RUS – MTS Live Hall
- March 16 – Novosibirsk, RUS – Ice Sports Palace Sibir
- March 18 – Irkutsk, RUS – Concert Hall
- March 20 – Vladivostok, RUS – Fetisov Arena
