Metallica keeping swine flu-hit Mexico on tour schedule

Although the breakout of swine flu that originated in Mexico has led numerous musical acts to cancel performances there, Metallica is not backing down. According to a post at the website of Avenged Sevenfold, who will open the shows, Metallica has booked three concerts in Mexico City on June 4th, 6th and 7th. Although Mexico City is where the flu first surfaced, Mexican health secretary Jose Angel Cordova said on Thursday (April 30th) that the number of cases seemed to be stabilizing, which means the crisis could be passed by the time Metallica arrives next month.

In another flu-related incident, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher wrote on his blog that the band landed at the airport in Caracas, Venezuela only to see the place filled with people wearing masks. Gallagher added, "I swear at that point I did a massive sneeze and the entire airport fell silent and started to stare!!"

Billboard.com reported on Thursday that dozens and dozens of concerts across Mexico were canceled or postponed, while premieres and press junkets for new movies like X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek and Terminator Salvation were also either scrapped or in jeopardy.