Hip-hop legends Public Enemy postpone Aussie tour just days out

Weeks ago they cancelled half their Aussie shows - now these hip-hop legends have postponed the remaining tour dates, just days out.

Hip-hop legends Public Enemy have announced today that they are postponing their forthcoming Australian tour, just days before it was due to begin.

The group’s frontman Chuck D, who tours alongside fellow founding member Flava Flav, needs to undergo “immediate eye surgery”, according to a release issued by the tour’s Australian promoter TEG Dainty.

Public Enemy were due to begin their Australian tour with a show at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena this Saturday October 5, before shows in Sydney and Brisbane.

“I’m sorry to make you wait a little longer but I need to get this eye surgery done, so I can really rock the house for you and Bring The Noise. Stay tuned for the new dates,” Chuck D said in a statement today.

Chuck D (left, with Flava Flav at right) needs immediate eye surgery. Picture: Noam Galai/Getty

While ticketholders can apply to receive refunds, TEG Dainty says those who wish to hold on to their tickets can do so and they’ll be valid for the rescheduled dates, which will be announced “in due course”.

The news comes weeks after Public Enemy left some Aussie fans fuming when they cancelled three dates on the tour, halving their number of Australian shows.

The rap duo had been originally scheduled to kick off their On The Grid 35th Anniversary Tour at Perth’s Red Hill Auditorium on October 2.

Half the group’s Australian tour dates had already been cancelled. Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty

But a few weeks ago that show was cancelled, along with gigs in Adelaide and Newcastle, with “unforeseen scheduling conflicts” cited as the reason.

Not all fans were happy with that explanation, though.

“They’re some convenient scheduling issues for the three shows most likely to be undersold,” one punter wrote.

“Sometimes, it would be better for the promoter to just outright say they haven’t sold enough tickets,” said another.

Public Enemy are yet to post any updates about the tour postponement on social media.