Naomi McPherson misses tour to care for mother with terminal cancer
The upcoming North American tour for MUNA, celebrating their acclaimed album Dancing On The Wall, is about to kick off with high energy across cities like Phoenix, Chicago, and Nashville. But amidst the excitement of new music and live performance, the band has shared some deeply personal news that adds a profound layer of emotion to the journey.
MUNA has announced a necessary adjustment to the beginning of the Gets So Hot tour. Guitarist, synth, and vocalist Naomi McPherson will be stepping away from the first few shows to dedicate time to caring for their mother, Harriet, who is battling an extremely aggressive and terminal form of cancer.
This family matter has required the band to make difficult decisions, but their commitment to their mother has taken precedence. Naomi has spent her final days with Harriet, and will remain behind after the tour departs to manage her affairs following her passing.
The band expressed their sorrow while emphasizing that their mother’s presence and memory remain central to their experience. They made it clear that the dates were planned with the hope that the shows would happen, with or without their presence.
Despite this change, MUNA remains steadfast in their commitment to the fans. To ensure the tour continues smoothly, Lou Roy has stepped in to perform at several initial dates, including stops in Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Nashville, and Atlanta.
The band spoke about the immense impact their mother has had on them, describing her as one of the greatest, most wise, and loving people they have ever known. They expressed feeling both heartbreak and a deep sense of gratitude for the love and guidance she provided.
“It is impossible to overstate the impact that Harriet has had on the band, and on our hearts and souls,” they shared. “We are heartbroken. She is simply one of the greatest, most wise and loving people and we are enraged and full of despair that she is being taken from us.”
MUNA reflected that while this news is one of the hardest things they have gone through as a band, they are also feeling incredibly lucky to have their big beautiful family—the band, the crew, and their amazing fans—supporting them.
Though the full schedule is evolving, the band is aiming for Naomi’s return to the tour, hoping to perform at the Philadelphia date on September 25th, though they will provide further updates as circumstances change. The music, they hope, will continue to fill Harriet with the joy and pride she always inspired.
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