Queens of the Stone Age cancel further shows due to Josh Homme’s health issues
Queens of the Stone Age have cancelled more shows in Europe on “doctors orders” due to singer Josh Homme needing to remain in the United States for medical care.
Earlier this month, the band regretfully announced they would be unable to fulfil their promise to play eight dates in Europe across July. They pulled out of the Sohoda Festival in Slovakia, Athens Rocks in Greece, and two headline shows in Zagreb, Croatia. Queens of the Stone Age have also cancelled scheduled appearances in Germany, France, Slovakia, Romania and the Czech Republic.
Taking to social media to share the sad news, the band said on July 9th: “Queens are gutted we aren’t able to play for you. We apologize for any inconvenience and share in your frustration and disappointment.”
They continued: “QOTSA regret to announce that Josh Homme must return to the United States immediately for emergency surgery. Every effort was made to push through and play for you, but it is no longer an option to continue.”
Despite the “emergency surgery”, Queens of the Stone Age did hope to return to the road on August 8th at the Way Out West in Sweden, but they’ve now cancelled all seven planned European festival shows for August. Other dates affected are Pukkelpop, Lowlands, Villar de Mouros, Syd for Solen, Oya and Cabaret Vert.
In a new statement, Queens of the Stone Age explained: “Due to continued medical care, it is under doctors’ orders that Josh Homme remain in their care in the United States. The following QOTSA festival performances have been cancelled.”
The rock band continued: “The Homme family and QOTSA are so grateful for the outpouring of well wishes and kind understanding during this time.”
While the specifics of Homme’s medical problems are undisclosed, the frontman has endured a rough couple of years with his health. Last year, Homme revealed he’d received the all-clear from cancer after being diagnosed in 2022.
Previously sharing the news of his diagnosis with Revolver, the singer said: “I never say it can’t get any worse. I never say that, and I wouldn’t advise it. But I do say it can get better. Cancer is just the cherry on top of an interesting time period, you know?”
Thankfully, a year later, Homme told ITV that “I’m good, I’m all clear” and he “feel[s] the best I’ve felt all year”.
The rock vocalist added: “It’s OK to be broad and say ‘Dark times come’, but I guess more than ever I’m just trying to look for the light, you know?”
Queens of the Stone Age are still set to begin their headline tour across North America on September 27th at the MGM Fenway in Boston. The short run of dates concludes in Memphis on October 6th, but the band are also booked to play Corona Capital in Mexico City on November 17th.
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