King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have cancelled the remainder of their UK and European tour dates. The cause? Frontman Stu Mackenzie has revealed he's been battling Crohn's disease and needs to return to Australia "for some urgent treatment."
“For the past decade or so I’ve dealt with Crohn’s Disease the best I can,” Mackenzie wrote on an Instagram post Saturday (6 August). “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.”
Stu 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 went on to apologise to fans and crew, adding that King Gizzard plan “reschedule the shows that can be rescheduled” and assured refunds would be available for those that couldn't. View the full statement below.
The cancellation followed the band's show in Prague on Friday (5 August). Their performance at Poland's POLandROCK festival was the first of 13 cancelled dates across a host of European and UK festivals and venues.
“Being able to travel the world and play live music for people every night is such a privilege,” Mackenzie wrote, “and I’m so grateful for the shows we were able to make happen in Ireland, Croatia and Czech Republic. Thanks for understanding and again, I’m SO sorry. Love Stu.”
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes swelling in the digestive tract, and can lead to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. The King Gizz ringleader is one of more than 80,000 Australians live with IBD, according to Crohn's and Colitis Australia.
Mackenzie has achieved incredible career feats while living with a chronic illness and fronting arguably Australia's hardest-touring and most prolific recording band, with over 20 albums under their belt.
This year alone, they've released the vinyl exclusive Made In Timeland, the Tropical F*ck Storm collab Satanic Slumber Party, and double album Omnium Gatherum.
And they're planning to release "3 more" before 2022 is over!
"They’re very jammy and meandering, kinda funky-prog-something," guitarist Joey Walker told triple j recently. "They’re kind of a response to us not being able to get together and play during lockdowns. It’s just jamming and the product of that. We’re really, really pumped about them.”