King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have canceled the remainder of their UK and European tour dates in light of a “personal health crisis” that’s inflicted their lead singer, Stu Mackenzie.
In a statement posted to Instagram on August 5th, Mackenzie revealed that he suffers from Crohn’s Disease and explained that a recent flare up has required him to return home to Australia for “urgent treatment.” “For the past decade or so I’ve dealt with Crohn’s Disease the best I can,” Mackenzie said. “It’s a miracle we haven’t cancelled any shows in the past. But right now, my health is in really bad shape and I need to get home for some urgent treatment.”
Mackenzie continued: “I’ve always kept my struggles with Crohn’s private. I guess I didn’t want to be defined by it. And maybe I’m not defined by it, but I’m certainly dictated by it. Its looming threat has shaped almost every major decision in my adult life. I think about it and plan for it and around it every day.” Mackenzie added that King Gizzard planned to reschedule what European shows they could and would offer refunds for the dates beginning Monday, August 8th. Read his full statement below.
The European leg of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s massive 2022 tour was set to go through August, with the band beginning a run of North American dates in October (including two shows at Levitation). If the latter leg continues as planned, you can find remaining tickets via Ticketmaster.
So far this year, the ever-prolific King Gizzard have released two studio albums, March’s Made in Timeland and April’s Omnium Gatherum, but Mackenzie and company don’t plan on slowing down any time soon: In June, the band promised “[three] more albums this year.”