Muna’s Naomi McPherson Will Miss Gigs to Care for Mother With Terminal Cancer

Musician Lou Roy will fill-in for McPherson for at least the first five shows of Muna's upcoming trek

Naomi McPherson, who plays guitar, synths, and sings in Muna, will miss several upcoming tour dates to look after their mother, Harriet, who is in the terminal stages of a cancer battle.

In a post shared on the band’s Instagram, Muna wrote: “It has become clear that [Harriet’s] passing will coincide with the beginning of this headline tour. As a result, Naomi has been at home with her for her final days and will be staying behind after we depart in order to take care of her affairs after her passing.” McPherson expects to be absent from Muna’s upcoming gigs in Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Nashville, and Atlanta.

“It was important to Naomi that the shows happen with or without them, and so plans have been in the works to ensure this,” the group continued. “Luckily, we will have our dear friend — the outrageously talented musician Lou Roy — playing and singing in their stead for which we will be forever grateful.” Muna will have a “letter drop” at the gigs McPherson is missing so fans fans to leave them words of encouragement.

Muna also paid tribute to Harriet in the post, calling her “one of the greatest, most wise and loving people.” They also expressed love and gratitude for “everything she has given and taught us, and for the way she raised her wonderful child.”

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In May, Muna told Rolling Stone that they were excited to perform songs from their latest album, Dancing on the Wall, live. “This record, in the sense of its BPMs, is 100 percent influenced by the level of touring that we did two years ago,” the group’s Josette Maskin said. “We want the shows to feel a certain way. We want there to be a certain level of catharsis. We want Muna shows to be a place where you work it out. You work out whatever you’re feeling and fast music gets you going.”

Muna’s upcoming tour will kick off Sept. 25 in Philadelphia. The band has dates booked in the United States into October before they head to Europe for another month of shows.