Last Saturday night, the Golden Electric Tour – the co-headline jaunt that pairs Janelle Monáe with Kimbra – kicked off at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre.

Well, half of it kicked off.

Following a 40-ish minute opening set from Kimbra, Monáe’s band took to the stage to announce that the Atlanta-based singer had fallen ill (as seen below), cancelling the show and informing the disappointed audience that ticket-holders were eligible for the second Melbourne date of the Golden Electric Tour (at the Plenary on Monday 26th May) as a replacement.

Both Monáe’s band and Kimbra encouraged fans to wish Monáe a speed recovery ahead of tonight’s performance at the Sydney Opera House, but a statement from promoters Live Nation now confirms that the scheduled concert has been postponed.

“Due to a sudden illness, Janelle Monáe was unable to perform in Melbourne at The Forum on Saturday, May 17,” reads the statement. “Ms Monáe has been required to remain in Melbourne under medical supervision to assess her recovery. Therefore the Sydney performance by Janelle Monáe and Kimbra on their Golden Electric Tour will not go ahead at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall tonight, Monday May 19, as scheduled.”

“Live Nation is working to secure a rescheduled performance date later this week, subject to the progress of Ms Monáe’s recovery. A further announcement will be made on Tuesday May 20 and ticket holders are urged to retain their tickets until that time. Janelle Monáe and Live Nation regret any inconvenience that the rescheduled Sydney date may create for ticket holders.”

That now leaves The Electric Lady-hitmaker two days’ recovery time before the next scheduled date of the tour at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Wednesday.

Live Nation are also emailing ticketholders for the Forum show today with ticketing information about the May 26th show at the Plenary, noting in a statement: “All purchasers unable to attend the May 26 show are advised to email [email protected] with ticket purchase details to receive ticket refund information.”


Janelle Monáe’s band announcing the cancellation at The Forum (Photo: Len Panecki. Source: Kimbra @ The Forum Tone Deaf Gallery)

Kimbra, aired a handful of new songs from her forthcoming star-studded album at her Forum set on Saturday night, tweeted her well wishes to her touring partner following the Melbourne cancellation. The Grammy-winning New Zealander, who is teaming up with Janelle Monáe for a closing set at each date of the tour, noted her excitement at the close of her nine-song set, telling the crowd: “are you excited for [her]? Not as much as me, I’m the biggest fan girl here.”

Janelle Monáe & Kimbra Australian Tour 2014

Saturday May 17 – The Forum, Melbourne – PHOTOS
Monday May 19 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – POSTPONED
Wednesday May 21 – Convention Centre, Brisbane
Monday May 26 – The Plenary, Melbourne

Tickets and info at www.livenation.com.au

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