Singer and guitarist Phoebe Lunny, known for her role in the punk band Lambrini Girls, announced on social media that she has suffered a serious injury that has forced the band to withdraw from the upcoming Coachella music festival. In a post on Wednesday, 8 April, Lunny revealed she fractured her neck and experienced an acute brain injury, which will prevent her from flying or performing for at least six weeks.
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The decision to pull out of Coachella, a highly anticipated music event, was accompanied by a heartfelt message to fans. “We have to pull out of Coachella and reschedule our whole American headline tour,” she wrote, explaining the circumstances surrounding her injury, which took place during a recent tour in Australia. “Long story short: I fractured my neck and have an acute brain injury. Misdiagnosed and with treatment delayed, doctors have advised me against performing.”
Despite this setback, the band is hopeful for their UK and European dates, which are still scheduled for late May. Lunny reassured fans that these shows will proceed as planned, offering a glimmer of optimism amid the disappointment. “UK/EU dates are going ahead late May onwards,” she stated while addressing questions from followers regarding the band’s absence from the Coachella lineup.
In her post, Lunny shared two images: one depicting her in a hospital gown with a message of distress, and another detailing her situation to fans. She expressed her deep disappointment at missing out on the iconic festival, highlighting the significance of live music during challenging times.
“To all American ticket holders: it’s dark times, especially in the states,” Lunny noted. “There are so many good folks who are carving out community and lifting each other up in the face of fascism. Making space for subversion and resistance is at the core of what this band is about.” The band has always championed unity and resilience through their music, and Lunny emphasised the communal spirit that connects fans at live shows.
Lunny shared her frustrations regarding the timing of the injury, quipping that had it been a broken leg, she would have taken inspiration from Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, who famously continued to perform after suffering a similar injury in 2015. “We want to be there so badly. If it was a broken leg, I would do a Dave Grohl and play it,” she said, showing her determination to return to the stage as soon as her health allows.
As fans continue to voice their support and concern, Lunny’s candid revelation has fostered a deeper connection with her audience. “We’re so gutted to miss this weekend’s performance,” she shared. “We hope and pray there’s some universe we get to play next year instead, because it is my neck and brain; our hands are tied for now, but I’m lucky and expect a speedy recovery.”
With the current situation, Lunny and her bandmates are now prioritising health and safety above all else. As the band looks to reschedule their US tour, they have already confirmed a new set of dates. According to the band’s announcement, the rescheduled North American tour will include performances at various venues, starting in mid-June and continuing through to early October.
Fans can look forward to seeing Lambrini Girls perform in cities such as New York, Boston, and Chicago, with the full list of rescheduled dates including:
– June 16: New York, N.Y. @ Warsaw
– June 17: Boston, Mass. @ Paradise Rock Club
– June 19: Montreal, Quebec @ Beanfield Theatre
– June 20: Toronto, Ontario @ The Concert Hall
– Sept. 27: Indianapolis, Ind. @ The Vogue
– Sept. 28: Detroit, Mich. @ Majestic Theatre
– Sept. 29: Chicago, Ill. @ Vic Theatre
– Oct. 1: Kansas City, Kan. @ Granada
– Oct. 2: St. Louis, Mo. @ Delmar Hall
– Oct. 4: Atlanta, Ga. @ Variety Playhouse
– Oct. 5: Asheville, N.C. @ Orange Peel
As Lunny embarks on the journey of recovery, both she and Lambrini Girls remain committed to their artistic mission—fostering community and resistance through music. They are eager to reconnect with fans and resume their place on the concert stage as soon as circumstances allow.