Queens Of The Stone Age Cancel Tour Dates As Josh Homme Requires Emergency Surgery

American rockers Queens Of The Stone Age have cancelled eight upcoming European shows as singer-guitarist Josh Homme needs to urgently return to the US for “emergency surgery”.

The band, who toured Australia back in February and played at MONA FOMA and Lookout Festival, announced the news on social media last night (9 July).

“QOTSA regret to announce that Josh Homme must return to the United States immediately for emergency surgery,” the band wrote of the cancelled shows from 10-27 July. “Every effort was made to push through and play for you, but it is no longer an option to continue.”

Five of the band’s appearances at festivals have been cancelled, including Festival Jardin Sonore in France, Pohoda Festival in Slovakia, Colours of Ostrava in Czechia, Athens Rocks in Greece, and Electric Castle Festival in Romania. Gigs in Berlin, Vienna, and Zagreb also won’t be going ahead.

Adding that ticketholders for the festival shows can view the festival websites for more information, and ticketholders for the headline gigs will be contacted, the band said:

“Queens are gutted we aren't able to play for you. We apologize [sic] for any inconvenience and share in your frustration and disappointment.”

The Music sends best wishes to Josh Homme and the band at this time.

Last June, Homme shared that he’d been diagnosed with cancer and had successful surgery to remove a tumour.

“I never say it can’t get any worse. I never say that, and I wouldn’t advise it,” Homme said. “But I do say it can get better.

“Cancer is just the cherry on top of an interesting time period, you know? I’m extremely thankful that I’ll get through this, and I’ll look back at this as something that’s fucked up — but will have made me better. I’m cool with that.”

In November, Homme revealed some good news: he’d been given the “all-clear” from his doctors.

Discussing his cancer treatment in an interview with ITV News, the singer said, “I'm good. I'm all clear. It's the kids that have made me feel better, you know, whether they're out in the crowd or in my own home, so I feel the best I've felt all year.”

Queens Of The Stone Age’s Australian tour dates followed the release of their long-awaited eighth album, In Times New Roman.

Queens are gutted we aren't able to play for you. We apologize for any inconvenience and share in your frustration and disappointment. pic.twitter.com/JbCxJqOb8H

— QOTSA (@qotsa) July 9, 2024