Bluesfest lose headline act The Black Keys as drummer struggles to recover from surfing injury

A VICIOUS dump in the surf during the drummer’s holidays has proven to be bad news for The Black Keys fans as ongoing recovery forces tour cancellation.

US rock band The Black Keys for National Hit only

BLUESFEST headliners The Black Keys have been forced to cancel their Australian tour as drummer Patrick Carney struggles to recover from a serious shoulder injury.

Carney dislocated and broke his shoulder when dumped by a wave during a New Year’s break in St Barts in the Caribbean.

He has undergone extensive physiotherapy since surgery to repair the damage and, despite having to cancel European dates in March, was confident he would be fit for the Australian leg of their world tour..

But complications developed last week with Carney developing an infection and doctors ruling out a return to playing.

The band were “very sorry” about having to can their return to Australia where they have enjoyed a love affair with blues rock fans long before they broke worldwide with their hit Lonely Boy.

“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,” Carney and frontman Dan Auerbach said in a statement.

Bung shoulder ... Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach cancel their Australian tour because of drummer’s injury. Picture: Supplied.

The band were kicking off their Turn Blue tour at Brisbane’s Riverstage on April 2, followed by the Byron Bay event on Good Friday, then a handful of Rolling Green winery shows and arena concerts around the country.

Bluesfest promoter Peter Noble was stoic about the cancellation of his headliner two weeks out from the Easter festival.

He lost Lenny Kravitz from the bill last month due to the old “scheduling conflicts”.

The Alabama Shakes will now close the Friday night main stage as Noble makes a last-ditch attempt to replace the Black Keys.

“We are on the hunt for one more artist to play on Good Friday, and will let everyone know who that will be soon, so agents and managers get on the phones as well as email us with your artists,” he said.

“I do need to say that this close to Bluesfest, it is going to be extremely difficult to get an international artist to play, given the requirements to get visas in time, however, we are keeping all options open.

“Bluesfest is an extremely deeply booked festival with up to 200 performances occurring over the 5 days and nights. While things like this are not what we like to have happen, we have a plethora of amazing artists playing.”

The Black Keys hope tor esume touring in May but are unlikely to reschedule the Australia dates.

Originally published as Bluesfest lose headline act The Black Keys as drummer struggles to recover from surfing injury