MUNA has confirmed that Naomi McPherson will be missing the first shows of the band’s North American tour, to care for their mother who has terminal cancer.
The shows are set to kick off tomorrow night (Thursday September 17) with an opening night in Phoenix, before shows in Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta, Boston, Santa Barbara and more.
However, in a new update from the band, they shared that McPherson – who plays guitar, synths, and sings in the band – will not be at the first few shows, as they will be looking after their mother, Harriet.
“We are writing with heavy hearts to let you know about something that has been going on in the MUNA family and some resulting changes that will have to be made to the beginning of the ‘Gets So Hot’ tour,” they began.
“Tragically, Naomi’s mother Harriet has been suffering for some time now from an extremely aggressive and terminal form of cancer that has escalated in severity over the past few weeks. Now, it has become clear that her passing will coincide with the beginning of this headline tour.
“As a result, Naomi has been at home with her for her final days and will be staying behind after we depart in order to take care of her affairs after her passing.”
MUNA went on to say that they expect McPherson’s first show back to be at their date in Philadelphia on September 25, but they will “update if this changes”.
“It was important to Naomi that the shows happen with or without them, and so plans have been in the works to ensure this,” the band added, also saying that Lou Roy will be stepping in to perform at shows in Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Nashville, and Atlanta.
“When Naomi inevitably returns to the tour, they will do so with the knowledge that watching them play music is what filled Harriet with the most joy and pride.”
They went on: “It is impossible to overstate the impact that Harriet has had on the band, and on our hearts and souls. We are heartbroken. She is simply one of the greatest, most wise and loving people and we are enraged and full of despair that she is being taken from us.
“We are also feeling so much love and gratitude for everything she has given and taught us, and for the way she raised her wonderful child.”
MUNA also shared that the news is “one of the hardest things we’ve gone through as a band”, but they are also “feeling so lucky that we have this big beautiful family of the band, the crew, and all our amazing fans”.
Find the full statement above.
Support at the shows comes from Hemlocke Springs, and after the US dates MUNA head across the pond in November for shows in Dublin, Glasgow, London and more, before wrapping things up with European shows in Paris, Warsaw, Berlin and others. Visit here for remaining UK tickets and here for international tickets.
The dates come in celebration of the group’s fourth studio album ‘Dancing On The Wall’, which is the follow-up to their 2022 self-titled record.
NME gave ‘Dancing On The Wall’ a three-and-a-half-star review, describing it as seeing the LA trio lock in on “euphoric pop bangers with a shadowy side”.
