Mark Hoppus provides health update as Blink-182 cancel live shows
Pop punk trio Blink-182 have cancelled a trio of Mexican shows following bassist Mark Hoppus suffering an illness.
The ‘What’s My Age Again?’ band were originally booked to play four dates at Mexico City’s Palacio de los Deportes in support of the album One More Time. The first was held on April 2nd, but the follow-up, scheduled for April 3rd, was the first to be cancelled before the final duo were also withdrawn.
Due to Hoppus’ illness, the group were forced to cancel the remaining shows at the same venue on April 5th and 6th. However, it wasn’t just the bassist who was reported ill; during the show on the 2nd, guitarist Tom DeLonge also required an oxygen mask to continue performing. Hoppus later informed people that he was also not feeling well on the night.
Hoppus says the illness is an acute infection in his throat and “severe bronchitis”. At the moment, it appears that his current illness has nothing to do with his previous cancer battle. In June 2021, the ‘Dammit’ songwriter revealed that he was undergoing chemotherapy and treatment for stage four diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In late September of that year, he announced that he had been told he was cancer-free but would be screened every six months to check for the disease returning.
Writing on Discord, Hoppus explained that the group never take show cancellations lightly. He acknowledged that people had spent money on flights and hotels. The rocker also asserted that Blink-182 tried their hardest to move the date and “tried every possible solution”, but this is, unfortunately, the reality.
He added: “We appreciate your understanding and support.”
Describing his present illness, he continued: “For me and my illness, I have seen a doctor here and talked to my doctor back home. I am on multiple medications and have been in bed the past three days except to go to the show, and yesterday I was hoping it was just allergies… Saw docs, was told I had an acute infection in my throat and severe bronchitis. Got on meds immediately with the kind help of the local promoters and have been on treatment”.
According to the promoter, Ocesa, refunds for the cancelled dates will be issued to ticket holders. Those who purchased online will receive an automatic refund, whereas those who obtained through the box office of Ticketmaster will need to request a reimbursement from Monday, April 8th.
This is not the first time the Californian group have hit a snag regarding playing in Mexico. In March 2023, they were forced to postpone their Mexican and South American tour dates following drummer Travis Barker injuring his finger when playing. In September last year, he then had to rush home to the US from the UK following his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, undergoing “life-threatening emergency surgery” related to their unborn baby.
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