Popular punk band are forced to cancel their 2024 Australian tour as they give heartbreaking health update about their frontman

Canadian punker band Sum 41 have been forced to cancel their Australian tour just hours before the band’s first show Down Under.

The In Too Deep hitmakers were scheduled to play at the upcoming Good Things festival as well as a run of side shows in what was to be their final ever Australian tour.

However, on the eve of their first show in Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Wednesday, it was announced the show would not go ahead as frontman Deryck Whibley had contracted pneumonia.

Confirming the devastating news in a social media statement, the band revealed that Deryck was receiving ‘the best possible care’ but was too unwell to perform on stage.

In a bid to make up for the cancellation, support act Grandson Grandson played a free show at Brisbane venue The Outpost that featured a DJ set from Sum 41 drummer Frank Zummo.

The band have since confirmed that they have also had to pull out of their appearance at Good Things festival on Friday and all of their remaining Australian dates due to Deryck’s health. 

‘It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce our 2024 Australian tour is unable to proceed,’ the band posted to Facebook in a follow-up statement on Thursday.

‘We were beyond excited to deliver this tour from December 4 – December 12, and connect with our Aussie fans once more. 

The band said they had heeded the advice of medical professionals that Deryck was in no condition to take to the stage.

‘Now that we’re here though, and under the guidance and direction of multiple Australian doctors, it’s clear that Deryck is too unwell to perform,’ they wrote.

‘We understand and appreciate your disappointment—we’re gutted too.’

They urged Good Things ticket holders to still go along to the music festival and enjoy the other acts despite their absence.

‘The good news is the Good Things festival is still going ahead in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane this weekend with an incredible lineup of local and international acts,’ they continued.

‘We can’t be there, but get along for us and have the best time.’ 

On the eve of their first show in Brisbane ‘s Fortitude Music Hall, it was announced the show would not go ahead as frontman Deryck Whibley had contracted pneumonia (he is pictured with Jason McCaslin, Frank Zummo and Dave Baksh)

The band have had to pull out of their appearance at Good Things festival on Friday and all of their remaining Australian dates due to Deryck’s health 

The post was met with a flurry of comments from disappointed-yet-empathetic fans.

‘Completely understandable! But absolutely devastating for us down here on the bottom corner of the globe that many punk bands don’t visit,’ one wrote.

‘Wishing Deryck a speedy recovery, and as many have said- would be great to have a show live streamed for us down here before you finish up!’

Another chimed in with: ‘Absolutely gutted number 1 reason I was going to good things was to see you guys live before you retire. Get well Deryck, Aussie fans stand behind you.’

Sum 41’s sideshows in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney have all been cancelled. 

The Good Things Festival – which also includes the likes of Korn, The Violent Femmes, and Mastadon among the line-up – is still going ahead, kicking off at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Friday 6 December.

It will then move to Sydney’s Centennial Park on Saturday, December 7, and Brisbane Showgrounds on Sunday, December 8.

Festival organisers said in a statement that Deryck’s health was the top priority.

‘Now that we’re here though, and under the guidance and direction of multiple Australian doctors, it’s clear that Deryck is too unwell to perform,’ they wrote in a statement 

‘Under the guidance and direction of doctors in Australia, it has become clear Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley is too unwell to perform,’ the statement read.

‘Sum 41 are gutted they can’t perform, and we fully understand and appreciate fans’ disappointment. 

‘Deryck’s health and wellbeing is the focus and priority though, and we hope you will join us in sending him well wishes for his recovery.’

Sum 41 was initially formed in Ajax, Ontario, in 1996, and the group was originally known as Kaspir before its name was changed.

The group currently consists of singer/guitarist Deryck, who was married to Avril Lavigne from 2006 until 2010, guitarist Dave Baksh, multi-instrumentalist Tom Thacker, bassist Jason McCaslin and drummer Frank.

The band rose to prominence following the release of their 2001 single Fat Lip, which was featured on their debut album All Killer No Filler and ultimately topped the Billboard US Alternative Airplay chart.

Sum 41 has released six albums since then, and the group’s most recent record, entitled Order in Decline, made its debut in 2019.

The group was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 2012 for their work on the track Blood in My Eyes, although they ultimately lost to Foo Fighters.