Queens of the Stone Age fans got some tough news this week. On Friday, August 23, the band took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce that they’re hitting pause on their 2024 tour plans. The reason? Josh Homme, the band's frontman, is prioritizing his health and receiving "essential medical care" for the rest of the year.
Here’s the scoop: the rock legends are canceling all of their upcoming concerts. In their statement, the band expressed deep regret over the situation. They said, “QOTSA regret to announce the cancellation and/or postponement of all remaining 2024 shows. Josh has been given no choice but to prioritize his health and to receive essential medical care through the remainder of the year.” This announcement comes shortly after the band had to call off their European tour dates in July due to Homme needing emergency surgery.
Fans were already reeling when QOTSA had to scrap eight shows in Europe. Back then, the band shared on social media, “Queens are gutted we aren’t able to play for you. We apologize for any inconvenience and share in your frustration and disappointment.” Alongside this, they posted a note detailing Homme’s sudden health issues. The statement read, “QOTSA regret to announce that Josh Homme must return to the United States immediately for emergency surgery. Every effort was made to push through and play for you, but it is no longer an option to continue.”
For those holding tickets to the canceled shows, the band advised fans to visit the festival websites for updates if they had tickets to festivals. If your tickets were for the band’s headline shows, you’ll be contacted directly with more information on refunds or rescheduling.
In a revealing June 2023 interview with Revolver Magazine, Homme had shared that he’d been diagnosed with cancer the previous year. Although he kept details under wraps, he did mention that he had undergone a successful surgery to remove it. Homme reflected on his experience with resilience, saying, “I never say it can’t get any worse. I never say that, and I wouldn’t advise it. But I do say it can get better.” He also noted, “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 f---ed up — but will have made me better. I’m cool with that. There’s a lot of stuff I want to do. And there’s a lot of people I want to do that with.”
Homme didn’t disclose the specific type of cancer he was battling, but his positive outlook and determination to overcome the challenge were clear.
Meanwhile, fans were eagerly awaiting new material from the band. Queens of the Stone Age had just dropped their latest album, In Times New Roman..., in July 2023. The record was generating a lot of buzz and had fans excited for what was next.
As the rock community rallies around Homme, it's a tough time for everyone involved. The band's dedication to their craft and their fans is evident, and while it's a blow to have to cancel their shows, Homme’s health is the top priority. Here’s hoping for a swift recovery and that the band will be back on the road, rocking out with their fans sooner rather than later. Stay tuned for updates, and keep an eye on the band’s social media channels for the latest news.
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