The Black Keys tour of Australia, New Zealand and Japan has been canceled due to drummer Patrick Carney’s shoulder injury.
Carney underwent surgery in January after injuring the joint in a body-surfing mishap off the Caribbean island of St Barts. The band had already nixed its European tour, though it was initially expected Carney would be fit for the start of its tour Down Under. He hasn’t recovered, the duo revealed on Monday, and Carney is now understood to be battling a post-operative infection. All shows on the Turn Blue World Tour are off until late next month, including the 12-date Asia-Pacific leg which was due to start April 2 at Brisbane’s Riverstage.
Black Keys Cancel European Tour Over Over Patrick Carney’s Injury
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“We are very sorry to have to cancel our upcoming performances through April 23,” the band said in a statement. “Patrick sustained a dislocated and broken shoulder in January that required surgery. Working with the doctors, surgeons and physiotherapists since January, we had expected Patrick to be ready to return to touring in April. The recovery process and physical therapy has taken longer than anticipated and unfortunately Patrick is still unable to perform and needs additional time to heal. We thank all of our fans for their ongoing support and we look forward to getting back on the road as soon as possible.”
The canceled tour means the Black Keys will miss their headline Good Friday slot at the Byron Bay Bluesfest. “You just can’t have The Black Keys with no drums,” adds Brian Taranto, head of Love Police Touring, the Black Keys’ Australia and New Zealand promoter, while Bluesfest director Peter Noble said, “we feel sorry for The Black Keys fans all over the world” who will miss the chance of seeing the rockers.
Noble also shared details of Patrick’s current health. Carney has been regularly attending a Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Centre in Nashville and “recovery seems to have been going to plan until a recent complication occurred after 10 weeks of treatment,” explains the Australian promoter, citing the drummer’s medical documents.
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“Patrick has now developed Adhesive Capsulitis, known as Frozen Shoulder, an infection, which has both delayed and complicated the healing process, and as a result, his doctor has advised he cannot go on tour currently and play the drums. Patrick requires further regular intensive treatment, and we, along with his fans I’m sure, are praying for his timely recovery.”
The Alabama Shakes will now take the Keys’ slot and will close the Bluesfest’s Mojo stage on Good Friday, while Paolo Nutini will appear immediately before them. Noble is “keeping all options open” on whether to book another international act so late in the game. He’s already had to cover the loss of Lenny Kravitz, who pulled out citing “unforseen scheduling issues.”
The Black Keys’ tour is expected to resume May 28 at Primavera Sound fest in Barcelona, Spain.
Black Keys Canceled Tour Dates for Australia, New Zealand & Japan:
April 2 — Riverstage, Brisbane, Australia
April 3 — Bluesfest, Byron Bay, Australia
April 5 — Rolling Green, Rochford Wines Yarra Valley, Australia
April 7 — Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, Australia
April 10 — Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney, Australia
April 11 — Rolling Green, Bimbadgen Winery Hunter Valley, Australia
April 14 — Red Hill Auditorium, Perth, Australia
April 16 — Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide, Australia
April 18 — Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand
April 19 — Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
April 22 Studio Coast – Tokyo, Japan
April 23 Studio Coast – Tokyo, Japan