[UPDATE 7/30/24]: Earlier this month, Queens of the Stone Age canceled eight concerts so frontman Josh Homme could return to the U.S. for immediate emergency surgery. The cancellations were supposed to last through July, but now the band has wiped another seven shows off its schedule so Homme can continue to recover. Luckily for audiences, Jack White will fill in for Queens of the Stone Age at some of the festival dates.
“Due to continued medical care, it is under doctors’ orders that Josh Homme remain in their care in the United States,” the band wrote on social media. “The Homme family and QOTSA are so grateful for the outpouring of well wishes and kind understanding during this time.”
Among the seven canceled QOTSA dates were sets at Way Out West in Sweden, Øya Festival in Norway, and Syd For Solen in Denmark, where Jack White will now perform in the band’s place. Electronic duo Justice will take over Queens’ slot at Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands while Royal Blood will close out Belgium’s Pukkelpop in Queens’ place.
This news comes amid a flurry of activity for Jack White. In the past two weeks, he released a surprise vinyl-only album No Name, performed a significant underplay benefit at Nashville’s American Legion Post 82, made a surprise appearance alongside Conan O’Brien at Newport Folk Festival, and just last night played a surprise gig at a 300-capacity club in Atlanta. Prior to the European festival appearances, White has more underplays scheduled for the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA (7/30) and Terminal West in Atlanta (7/31). Stay tuned to White’s website to see what he does next.
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[7/9/24]: Queens of the Stone Age have canceled eight European tour dates so frontman Josh Homme can fly back to the United States for emergency surgery. The band’s announcement Tuesday came after QOTSA canceled an appearance at AMA Festival outside Venice, Italy on July 5th, though they proceeded to perform in Milan the following day.
“Every effort was made to push through and play for you, but it is no longer an option to continue,” the band wrote on social media.
The affected shows run through the remainder of July and include dates in France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Greece, and more. The band’s website currently lists Queens returning to Europe in August for additional festival dates and headlining shows before bringing its The End is Nero tour back to the U.S. in September, beginning with two nights in Boston on the 27th and 28th. Festival ticketholders are asked to visit their specific event’s website for updated information while those with tickets to headlining shows will be contacted directly by the point of purchase.
The post did not mention any specific surgery or condition, and the band’s representative didn’t respond to Billboard‘s request for additional information. Back in 2022, Homme, 51, was diagnosed with a form of cancer he declined to specify, but in June 2023—just after QOTSA kicked off their first tour in five years—Homme confirmed that surgery to remove the cancer had been successful. In November, he told ITV News, “I’m good. I’m all clear,” adding “I feel the best I’ve felt all year.”
“It’s okay to be broad and say ‘Dark times come,’ but more than ever I just still try to look for the light,” he said.
This announcement comes days after Homme revealed that Queens of the Stone Age would be the first band to play the historic catacombs of Paris. Though he did not provide a specific date during the July 1st press conference at Hellfest, he said the historic concert would be “In a week’s time or so.” The cancelation announcement did not include any information on the catacombs performance.
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Get well soon, Josh!