Muna's Naomi McPherson to miss five US dates to care for mother
Naomi McPherson, who plays guitar and synths and sings in Muna, will miss five dates on the band's upcoming United States tour to care for their mother Harriet, who is in the terminal stages of cancer.
The band confirmed the absence ahead of the tour, Rolling Stone reported. McPherson will step away from live duties for a short run of shows while remaining a member of the group.
McPherson is expected to be absent in Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Nashville and Atlanta. The band has not announced changes to the dates themselves. Those five shows will go ahead with a stand-in.
Musician Lou Roy will play and sing in McPherson's place at the shows they miss. The arrangement covers live guitar, synth parts and vocals normally handled by McPherson. No other line-up changes have been announced.
Muna will also set up a "letter drop" at the affected gigs. Fans will be able to leave written messages of encouragement for McPherson and their family. The box has been organised for the shows where McPherson is absent.
The wider tour is still due to begin on Sept. 25 in Philadelphia. Muna has US dates booked into October, followed by another month of shows in Europe. The schedule beyond the five named US cities is unchanged.
Harriet, McPherson's mother, has been living with an extremely aggressive and terminal form of cancer for some time, according to a statement shared on the band's official Instagram account, Muna on Instagram. The band said McPherson needed time away from the road to look after her.
For fans, this means five US crowds will see a different stage line-up. The songs remain the same, and the letters offer a direct way to send support.
