The rock band Queens of the Stone Age has withdrawn from Belgian festival Pukkelpop due to lead singer and founder Josh Homme's prolonged illness.
The performance was originally scheduled for 18 August but has been cancelled along with a series of others following a surgery Homme underwent earlier this month. Recovery has taken longer than expected, and on Friday the band announced its withdrawal from Pukkelpop and from Dutch festival Lowlands.
"Due to continued medical care, it is under doctors' orders that Josh Homme remain in their care in the United States," Pukkelpop announced on social media. "We wish Josh a speedy recovery."
The festival is now looking for a replacement headliner. Lowlands has booked Justice, an electronic duo from Paris.
Credit: Pukkelpop
The rock group had already cancelled all performances on their European tour because of the surgery but these latest withdrawals were unexpected.
Earlier this month, The Smile – a side project of Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood – also pulled out of Pukkelpop for health reasons. Greenwood was admitted to intensive care when he contracted a severe infection but is reportedly now in recovery.
Pukkelpop, a Belgian festival favourite, will take place from 15 to 18 August. The four-day event is located in Limburg and this year's line-up features Stormzy, Fred Again, Charlotte De Witte, Sam Smith, Goldband and The Offspring. While tickets for Friday and Saturday are sold out, Sunday tickets are still available.
