THE EXPLOITED frontman WATTIE BUCHAN collapses on stage in Wiesbaden
03-02-2026
THE EXPLOITED frontman Walter David “Wattie” Buchan collapsed during the first song of the band’s set this past Saturday, January 31 at Schlachthof in Wiesbaden, Germany and had to receive medical attention. He was taken to a hospital and was reportedly “responsive”, according to information given at the concert venue.
On Sunday (February 1), THE EXPLOITED released the following statement via social media: “As Wattie collapsed yesterday during the show in Wiesbaden/Germany, we have to cancel the upcoming gigs in Tallinn & Riga. We try to find new dates ASAP. Rostock and Berlin we announce as soon as we have more info.
“Wattie is in hospital right now for observation and checkups,” the statement added. “He had a flu the last days and gets dehydrated. That’s why he collapsed. Thanks and love to all the nice people who took care and immediately gave first aid. We will keep you updated!”
In December 2022, we reported that Wattie was rushed to hospital after collapsing on stage due a suspected heart attack during THE EXPLOITED‘s concert in Colombia.
The then 65-year-old punk, who has a history of heart problems, was performing the song “Army Life” with his bandmates at La Estrella Roja Calle 66 when he started feeling unwell, clutching his chest and bending down before dropping to his knees.
A spokesman for THE EXPLOITED later issued a statement to STV News saying: “The last gig in Colombia, Wattie had another suspected heart attack. He tried playing on but had to actually stop a couple of songs until he eventually collapsed. He got taken away to hospital in an ambulance but over 900 people refused to leave the venue until he heard he was alright.
“THE EXPLOITED are held as idols over here, and Wattie is seen as the king of punk. He has kept the punk movement alive when everyone in the press said it was dead. He is actually a living legend.”
In February 2014, Buchan suffered a heart attack on stage in Lisbon, Portugal. Shows in August 2018 and September 2019 also had to be cancelled due to Buchan‘s health problems.
A year after Wattie underwent a quadruple heart bypass surgery in 2014 following an onstage heart attack, the singer told I Probably Hate Your Band: “I thought I wouldn’t be able to do gigs anymore, so I’m just glad I can still do gigs.” He later told Tattoo.com about his heart procedure, “They cut my leg went right through my tattoo and put it back together,” and added: “The most important thing in life is your health. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have fuck-all.”
Following Buchan‘s collapse on stage on Saturday, THE EXPLOITED released a statement on its social media accounts.
It read in part: “On December 10th, 2022 during the end of the set Wattie collapsed on stage in Bogota, COL and was rushed into hospital by ambulance.
“Due to doctor’s orders all remaining shows for 2022 have been cancelled.
“We apologize to the fans, promoters and everyone affected by this situation. Thank you for understanding. Also our London show on the 16th December will also be cancelled once again we are sorry about this but Wattie is exhausted and told to cancel all upcoming gigs for this year.”
Formed in 1979, THE EXPLOITED is widely considered to be one of the most influential punk bands of all time.
The group performed in Peru, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Brazil and Colombia as part of its fall 2022 tour.
Apologies to everyone that planned to catch us in Cali and London. We will try our very best to make it up to you all ASAP.
— The Exploited (@ExploitedBand) December 11, 2022
Wattie's health has to come first.
Huge thanks to the fantastic medical staff here in Bogota, your kindness is greatly appreciated.#punk #exploited #tour pic.twitter.com/DPEAZ6UjSo
Social media