Sum 41 has officially canceled their entire Australian tour, including their highly anticipated co-headlining performance at the Good Things Festival. This unfortunate decision comes as a result of frontman Deryck Whibley’s serious health condition, as he is currently battling pneumonia. The band’s commitment to the safety and health of their members has led them to prioritize Whibley’s recovery over their performance schedule, which has disappointed many fans eagerly awaiting their return to Australia.

On December 5, the band publicly announced their decision to cancel the tour, citing specific medical advice from Australian doctors who assessed Whibley’s health and deemed him too unwell to take the stage. This decision was not made lightly, as the band had been looking forward to performing for their dedicated fans in Australia.

“It is with profound sadness and regret that we announce our 2024 Australian tour cannot proceed,” the band expressed in an emotional statement shared across their social media platforms. “We were incredibly excited to bring this tour to life from December 4 to December 12 and reconnect with our passionate Aussie fans once more.” This heartfelt message underscores the band’s strong bond with their audience and their eagerness to perform.

“However, now that we’re faced with this reality and under the careful guidance of multiple Australian healthcare professionals, it has become evident that Deryck is too unwell to perform at this time. We truly understand and appreciate your disappointment – believe us, we are equally devastated.” This statement reflects their commitment to transparency and the emotional toll that such decisions take on artists and their teams.

The statement further noted: “The good news is that the Good Things Festival will still take place across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane this weekend, featuring an incredible lineup of both local and international acts. While we cannot be there, we encourage everyone to attend on our behalf and enjoy the festival to the fullest.” This message emphasizes the band’s support for the festival and encourages fans to continue celebrating music.

The canceled tour was intended to promote Sum 41’s eighth and final album, Heaven :x: Hell, which was released in March. The tour dates were highly anticipated as part of the band’s farewell run, culminating in their final performance scheduled for January 2025 at the iconic Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. This farewell tour holds significant importance for both the band and their fans, marking the end of an era.

This cancellation follows the band’s previous decision to cancel their December 4 sideshow at Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley Music Hall. At that time, they expressed, “Unfortunately, we have to make the difficult decision to cancel tonight’s show in Brisbane due to Deryck being diagnosed with pneumonia. He is receiving the best possible local care.” This shows the band’s commitment to ensuring the health and safety of their members above all else.

This incident marks the second occasion when Australian fans have missed the opportunity to see the Canadian rockers perform live due to Whibley’s health issues. Back in 2011, the band had to cancel their appearance at the Soundwave Festival after Whibley was hospitalized with pneumonia, highlighting the challenges the band has faced over the years.

As part of their final chapter, Sum 41 will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during the 54th Annual JUNO Awards, scheduled for March 30, 2025, in Vancouver. This prestigious recognition reflects the band’s significant impact on the music industry and their lasting legacy in the Canadian music scene.

Despite the setback caused by the cancellation, the Good Things Festival will proceed as planned, with Korn headlining the three-city event, alongside other notable acts like Violent Femmes, Jet, Northlane, and Billy Corgan. This ensures that fans will still have an incredible experience filled with unforgettable performances.

“Sum 41 are heartbroken they cannot perform, and we fully understand and appreciate fans’ disappointment,” stated the festival organizers in a heartfelt message. “Deryck’s health and well-being remain our top priority, and we hope you will join us in sending him well wishes for a swift recovery.” This expression of solidarity showcases the unity among artists and their fans during challenging times.

The festival is set to kick off in Melbourne on December 6, followed by performances in Sydney and Brisbane. Ticket holders for Sum 41’s canceled sideshows will receive detailed refund information shortly, ensuring that fans are taken care of despite the unfortunate circumstances.

After achieving their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart in over two decades earlier this year, Sum 41 celebrated another milestone when “Dopamine” hit No. 1 on the November 30-dated survey. This remarkable achievement underscores the band’s continued relevance and popularity in the music industry.

The hit “Dopamine” follows the two-week reign of “Landmines” in March, which marked a significant comeback for the band. Their history is notable, as they managed to set a record for the longest gap between No. 1 hits, with 22 years, five months, and three weeks separating this milestone from their first-ever chart-topper, “Fat Lip,” which was released in August 2001.

This record-breaking achievement surpassed the previous best held by The Killers, who waited 13 years and six months between the reigns of “When You Were Young” in 2006 and “Caution” in 2020, illustrating Sum 41’s unique journey in the music industry.

In addition to their musical accomplishments, Whibley’s recently released memoir, Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell, has also become a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon’s punk musician biographies chart following its October launch. In this deeply personal autobiography, the frontman reflects on his rise to fame with Sum 41, navigating the highs and lows of international success and accolades, including Grammy nominations and MTV Video Music Awards, capturing the essence of his journey.