The Smith Street Band frontman Will Wagner last week suffered a high grade muscle tear in his leg whilst playing a show at Max Watt’s in Melbourne and today the band have announced that the extent of Wagner’s injury means that he cannot fly – ruling out any chance of playing the band’s gigs in New Zealand this week.
Wagner suffered the injury shortly after he announced a couple of intimate solo dates later this year, and it led to a Facebook post confirming the injury and announcing that the band’s additional shows last weekend would take place with Wagner sitting on a special WIL-CHAIR – in a similar vein to Dave Grohl’s infamous throne. Later borrowed by Axl Rose.
Sure enough, Wagner took to the stage over the weekend seated, with the rest of the band, and supports The Bennies, trying to make up for his typical antics with their own jumping around the stage.
Sadly for NZ fans though, the #wilchair won’t be making the trip overseas.
“We are very sorry to announce that we’re going to have to cancel this weekend’s New Zealand shows due to my leg injury!” says the post. “It’s very swollen and due to the amount of internal bleeding the doctor has said I can’t fly because it would risk blood clots and other serious complications! We’re very sorry to cancel and wouldn’t be doing it if there was any other way!”
The band have indicated that all shows will be rescheduled for later in the year, and that all tickets will be refunded through the ticketing provider.
