Keane cancel free gig due to singer's exhaustion
Award winning band Keane have pulled the plug on a free concert in Dublin because their frontman Tom Chaplin is suffering exhaustion, it emerged today.
The band had earlier this month announced plans to play a free gig at a secret venue in the city as part of the Channel 4 Vodafone TBA series.
Irish fans were urged to apply through a website for the free tickets.
However in a statement issued on the Brit Award winners’ official website, lead singer Tom Chaplin said they were deeply disappointed to have to cancel the Dublin gig as well as appearances at the Edinburgh Festival and in Ibiza.
“I am gutted that I have to take a break from touring,” he said.
“I was really looking forward to these dates, but if it means we can do what we’ve got planned for the rest of the year then I’ll take the time off.
“I want to apologise to our fans and I hope that everyone understands. Be assured that we will be back out there soon.”
The trio, who have scored chart successes around the world with ‘Everybody’s Changing,’ ‘Is It Any Wonder?’ and the albums ‘Hopes and Fears’ and ‘Under an Iron Sea’ had been due to close this year’s T on the Fringe festival in Edinburgh with a concert in Princes Street Gardens on August 30.
However the Sussex-born group blamed an “extremely punishing worldwide promotion and touring schedule” in recent months for the lead singer’s exhaustion and subsequent withdrawal.
Chaplin and band members Richard Hughes and Tim Rice-Oxley have also had to cancel their scheduled Ibiza Rocks concert on the island on August 23.
The musicians, who won two Brits at the 2005 awards, have decided to proceed with performances at Pukkelpop in Belgium tomorrow and the V Festival this weekend.
Chaplin has been advised to take a proper rest so that he can get himself back to full fitness in time for more touring later in the year.
On the band’s website, he apologised to fans for the cancellations.
T on the Fringe spokesman Dave Corbet said: “We are disappointed that the gig has had to be cancelled and disappointed for the fans.
“But with an exceptional line-up this year we are sure that there are plenty of other T on the Fringe gigs that will delight music fans.”
More than 20,000 tickets have been sold for Northern Ireland band Snow Patrol’s gig at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium on August 25, making it the largest show at this year’s Fringe.
Muse also play the same venue on the 24th and a number of gigs, such as Raconteurs and Editors, have already sold out.
T on the Fringe organisers said full ticket refunds for the Keane concert would be available from the place where they were purchased.
