Sum 41 'Gutted' After Band Member's 'Unwell' Health Forces Tour Cancellation
Sum 41 announced a major tour update earlier this week in response to a health issue that lead vocalist Deryck Whibley is experiencing.
The Canadian rock group released a statement announcing its scheduling decision, which impacted the planned lineup for Australia’s Good Things Festival taking place this weekend. The festival shared the statement in full on Instagram on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
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“It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce our 2024 Australian tour is unable to proceed,” the statement said. The band members were “beyond excited” to “connect with our Aussie fans once more” during the group’s short 2024 Australian tour, which was to run from Dec. 4 through Dec. 12. "Now that we’re here though, and under the guidance and direction of multiple Australian doctors, it’s clear that Deryck is too unwell to perform,” the statement explained.
The tour update followed an earlier cancellation announcement that Sum 41 made about a planned Dec. 4 show at the Fortitude Valley Music Hall in Brisbane. The band explained that Whibley, 44, had been “diagnosed with pneumonia” and was “receiving the best possible local care,” according to Billboard.
In the new statement released on Wednesday, Sum 41’s members told fans that they "understand and appreciate your disappointment” and added, “we’re gutted too.” The band reminded concertgoers that the Good Things Festival is still moving forward, albeit without one of its co-headliners, and urged ticket holders to “get along for us and have the best time.” Those who have tickets to Sum 41’s other canceled shows will receive information about refunds “shortly,” the statement concluded.
The Good Things Festival is scheduled to kick off in Melbourne on Friday, Dec. 6. It will continue in Sydney on Saturday, Dec. 7, before ending in Brisbane on Sunday, Dec. 8. Korn is slated to headline this year’s festival, with performances also expected from Violent Femmes, The Gaslight Anthem, Bowling for Soup, Mastodon and Jet, among others.
