Saxon frontman Biff Byford has spoken to Louder about the veteran British metal band's busy 2026 summer of European festival appearances, giving an update on his recovery from the colon cancer that forced date cancellations the previous year. He says he is "doing okay" and taking things day by day, as the band press on with a run of major continental shows, underscoring a notable resurgence in the group's popularity over recent years.

In the interview, Byford lists festival dates including Wacken in Germany, Sweden Rock, Denmark's Copenhell, Rock For People in the Czech Republic, Poland's Mystic and Maid Of Stone at Bloodstock in the UK, noting that the band now regularly land headline slots. He attributes the resurgence over the last six or seven years to strong recent albums, the impact of social media and younger fans and bands citing Saxon as an influence, alongside the wider success of peers such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. He also explains that setlists are tailored by country — Crusader is popular in Spain and Italy, their cover of Ride Like The Wind is demanded in Spain, and Poland favours Broken Heroes — with three or four songs typically changing per show.