The Dear Hunter Cancel Australian Tour Following 'Serious Medical News'

American progressive rock band The Dear Hunter have just cancelled their upcoming Australian and New Zealand tour dates as a member of the band deals with “serious medical news”.

The tour was set to begin in a matter of weeks. In Australia, The Dear Hunter were set to open for local favourites Closure In Moscow in Melbourne (30 May), Sydney (31 May), and Brisbane (1 June), while in New Zealand, they were headlining two shows in Wellington (3 June) and Auckland (4 June). The tour marked The Dear Hunter’s first shows on this side of the world in eleven years.

While Closure In Moscow’s Soft Hell tour will still go ahead with special guests Toehider and another support act to be announced, tour promoters Bird’s Robe understand that some ticket buyers might have only purchased tickets to see The Dear Hunter.

Refunds for the Australian are available by contacting mike@birdsrobe.com with your proof of purchase. Costs associated with the line-up changes will result in a $5 increase in ticket prices from 23 May. Ticketholders for the New Zealand shows will be automatically refunded.

In a statement posted on social media, The Dear Hunter revealed that the band member dealing with the serious medical news won’t be able to leave the US at this time.

“We have been eager to return to Australia for several years. The amazing members of Closure In Moscow graciously invited us over, and we have been looking forward to this tour for months,” the band wrote, strongly encouraging ticketholders to support the Closure In Moscow tour.

The band added, “While we are disappointed, we are also staying optimistic about our future. We're working hard on new music, a documentary film, and touring plans for later this year. As we adapt to what may be a new normal, our commitment to live shows remains unwavering. These performances have always been a source of healing and motivation for us, and we're hoping this motivation will foster a positive outlook for future dates.”

The Dear Hunter’s touring will remain in the US for the foreseeable future “to ensure easy access to healthcare and support for our band member. This adjustment is not permanent, but necessary at this time.

“We promise The Dear Hunter will return to Australia and New Zealand. We appreciate your support and understanding during this period.”

The Dear Hunter would have toured Australia in support of their 2022 album, Antimai and 2021 EP, The Indigo Child.