Lord Buffalo Cancels European Tour After Drummer Detained at DFW International Airport

Austin, Texas band Lord Buffalo has canceled their 2025 European tour after their drummer was detained at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Lord Buffalo was originally supposed to tour with Orsak:Oslo starting May 15, hitting cities like Copenhagen, Olso and Helsinki in Europe. But in an update posted on May 14 on their Instagram, they announced their drummer, Yamal Said, was removed from their flight to Europe at DFW Airport.

"We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour," the band wrote. "Our drummer, Yamal Said, who is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder) was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe by Customs and Border Patrol at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday May 12. He has not been released, and we have been unable to contact him."
"We are currently working with an immigration lawyer to find out more information and to attempt to secure his release," the band wrote. "We are devastated to cancel this tour, but we are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal’s safety and freedom. We are hopeful that this is a temporary setback and that it could be safe for us to reschedule this tour in the future. In our absence, our touring partners Orsak:Oslo  will continue to perform the tour. We urge everyone to go see this amazing band and support them over the next couple weeks."

"Customs and Border Patrol" is assumed to be U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an arm of the United States Department of Homeland Security.

The Observer contacted Blues Funeral Recordings and Sonic Arts for statements and will update this story when more information becomes available.

Sonic Arts posted on its Facebook page that it was "heartbroken" and hoped for a "swift and positive resolution."

"On this occasion, we would like to extend our thoughts to all those who, driven by immigration circumstances, are forced to endure extraordinary hardships to secure their survival and improve their lives!" they added.
Orsak:Oslo showed their support in the comments and in their own separate Facebook post. In an update on Instagram, Lord Buffalo wrote, "We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support from y’all today. We still know very little about the situation, but we have been asked by our drummer’s family and his legal team to respect their privacy while this situation evolves. We intend to do so, and we send all our love their way. We’ll share updates from the family when we can. Thanks again for everyone’s support." According to the Austin American-Statemen, Customs and Border Protection told the outlet he was detained because of an active arrest warrant. He was later transferred to local law enforcement.

The Observer checked online records that show Said is held at Tarrant County Corrections Center in Fort Worth. Said is accused of violating bond/protective order two times within the past 12 months. The offense is considered a third-degree felony under Texas law. His bond is listed at $40,000.

Lord Buffalo's last album, Holus Bolus, was released in July 2024. Described as a cinematic, trippy take on Americana folk with a dark vibe, Lord Buffalo released visuals for the album's title track. You can watch it below.