Bluesfest organisers are keeping their Black Keys replacement on the lowdown. In a statement, Festival Director Peter Noble confirmed that festivalgoers will just have to wait and see who organisers tap to replace the blues rock giants.
For those still playing catchup, earlier this week The Black Keys announced the cancellation of all their upcoming Australian tour dates, citing ongoing issues with drummer Patrick Carney’s shoulder.
Noble previously suggested the likes of British India, Spiderbait, or Kingswood could be selected to fill the now empty slot, saying the replacement band would have to be an outfit similar to that which has cancelled.
In a statement, organisers wrote that Noble has been “working tirelessly to find an artist to play on Good Friday in lieu of The Black Keys cancellation.”
However, they continue, “Bluesfest cannot disclose whether this remaining ‘Secret Show’ will be an International or Australian artist but festivalgoers are to be advised to be front and centre at the MOJO stage on Friday 3rd April at 7:30pm for a very special Good Friday treat.”
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Speaking to Triple J, Noble said that despite the loss of what many viewed as one of the festival’s main draws, as well as the previous cancellations of Lenny Kravitz and Ben Howard, Bluesfest has nearly sold out its Friday and Saturday night events.
Noble also elaborated on Carney’s injury, saying, “Up until the 10 week phase he was healing, but then there was a complication of infection, and it’s called adhesive capsulitis, known as frozen shoulder, occurred really only a week and a half ago, and I think that put the kibosh on it.”
“There’s just no way that he could come after that happened. So it was all looking good until a week and a half ago,” he added. “They’re not even saying when they could come back. I personally feel it could be a long road for Patrick Carney.”
“I think it could be prolonged, and hopefully it isn’t… This sort of stuff can be very very serious, it’s a real complication. And it’s real, I’ve seen the medical reports,” said the promoter.
In other Bluesfest news, organisers have confirmed UK rockers Band of Skulls, who were slated to support The Black Keys on their Australian tour, will now play a second Bluesfest show on Saturday, 4th April.
