We were lucky enough to sponsor Mark E. Smith’s long running Punk/Post-Punk band The Fall’s gig at Berlin’s SO36 not long ago. For those stateside, the prognosis is somewhat unlucky, but not catastrophic, as The Manchester band’s first U.S. concerts in more than a decade, which included a—seven-night New York City residency—have been postponed until next year.
The cancellations were announced yesterday due to an illness suffered by the outspoken Mancunian Smith, who was set to take his band for a rare series of gigs stateside in support of The Fall’s 32nd studio album New Facts Emerge.
The Cropped Out Festival in Louisville, Ky., where The Fall were set to headline on September 23, shared a statement from the band’s management announcing the cancellations, and the rescheduling of the NYC dates, which you can read below—with no facts currently emerging of the state of the Portugal and UK dates at this time.Fe
“It is with great regret to announce that Mark E. Smith & The Fall have had to cancel all upcoming U.S shows in New York (Baby’s All Right) & Louisville (Cropped Out Festival) due mostly to terrible timing, reality and a mix of bizarre and rare (true to form) medical issues that Mark is currently being treated for. Unfortunately it would be a gamble on his health to fly anywhere over the next couple of months. Mark’s current problems are connected to his throat, mouth/dental & respiratory system… so throwing all the meds together and continuing with the travel/shows would certainly harm any progress that we have made over the past few weeks.
We understand that this is a huge deal for both American/worldwide fans of The Fall and The Fall themselves, Mark & the guys have been really excited and everyone is gutted about the outcome. However, it’s high-time Mark put his health first and that’s what we are gonna do.
So here’s the good news… NYC has been rescheduled already and we are gonna arrange another show in Louisville. Both promoters have been incredibly helpful & fantastic in securing The Fall a safe passage to America, and this will still be happening in 2018. Your Lord and Saviour Markus E. Smith wants to let you all know that even though he can’t play live for a short while, the cabin fever is spitting out a new album already and new music is now (as ever) The Fall’s main focus.”
Yours, Pamela Vander
Group Manager
The Fall tour dates:
Sept. 11: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Sept. 12: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Sept. 13: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Sept. 14: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Sept. 15: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Sept. 16: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Sept. 17: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Sept. 23: Cropped Out Festival, Louisville, KY, USA
Oct. 20: Unity Works, Wakefield, UK
Oct. 23: Boiler Shop, Newcastle, UK
Nov. 4: Oran Mor, Glasgow, UK
Nov. 18: Hard Club, Porto, Portugal
Nov. 29: Fiddler’s Club, Bristol, UK
Nov. 30: Koko, London, UK
Feb. 19: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Feb. 20: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Feb. 21: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Feb. 22: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Feb. 23: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Feb. 24: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Feb. 25: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA