Rival Sons Cancel Soundwave Festival Tour

February 12, 2015

By Tom Williams

After some speculation yesterday, Californian rockers Rival Sons have officially pulled out of their Soundwave Festival shows, scheduled to start next weekend. Festival organisers have shared a statement from the band, explaining that the birth of a child led to their decision.

“Attention to our highly esteemed and very patient Australian fanbase: It brings us no pleasure to announce that we are not able to play the Soundwave festival this year,” the statement reads.

“We’ve been waiting years to see you, YEARS and this was going to be such a great line up. We had every intention of coming to you and take full responsibility for any disappointment. The good news? A child has been born to the Rival Sons family. Even though we collectively thought it to be sufferable, we’ve found that taking our brother away from his wife and newborn so soon ultimately defies our personal ethics as a band.

“We can assure you that it is our utmost desire to get Down Under to give you what you have so patiently waited for. We wholeheartedly beg your understanding and forgiveness on this matter.”

Yesterday, Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah told a punter on Twitter that “one of the band members’ wife/gf is having massive health issues”. It remains unclear as to whether or not this is related to the birth of the newborn.

Rival Sons were announced as part of the third Soundwave 2015 lineup announcement in December, alongside the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Falling In Reverse and Steel Panther. The festival was to be the group’s first Australian tour. They had no other Australian shows booked around the festival.

Yesterday, international act Evergreen Terrace also cancelled their Soundwave tour, due to serious injuries suffered by the band’s drummer after falling from a ladder. Ironically, the news came only a day after Maddah tweeted that 2015 was the first Soundwave festival where no bands have cancelled.

Soundwave 2015 kicks off in Melbourne and Adelaide on Saturday, 21st February.

Photos: Soundwave 2014 – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne 28/02/2014 / Photos: Nikki Williams

@METALSLAB @soundwavefest I know one of the band members' wife/gf is having massive health issues. Will be talking to their agent tonight.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 11, 2015

#SW15 the one where no one leaked pre-announcement and no bands dropped out. Phew!

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 10, 2015

Soundwave 2014 – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne 28/02/2014

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