The future of indie icons Sonic Youth has been thrown into doubt after frontman Thurston Moore and guitarist Kim Gordon announced they will be divorcing after 27 years of marriage.

The couple issued a statement via label Matador Records which read “Musicians Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore, married in 1984, are announcing that they have separated. Sonic Youth, with both Kim and Thurston involved, will proceed with its South American tour dates in November. Plans beyond that tour are uncertain. The couple has requested respect for their personal privacy and does not wish to issue further comment.”

The band released their sixteenth studio album The Eternal in 2009 and there were reports that they planned on heading back into the studio after their current tour finished. Those plans now appear to be in tatters.

Moore was also a hot rumour to headline next years Laneway Festival along with The Horrors, Wild Beasts, Laura Marling and Twin Shadow. Laneway announced their lineup last week but the front man was no where to be seen, although The Horrors, Laura Marling, and Twin Shadow did get announced.

We can’t help but wonder now if organisers had tried to secure Moore, only to have those plans scuttled by the frontman as his marriage fell apart. We’ll keep you updated if we hear anything more.

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