The devastation caused by the earthquake which rocked New Zealand’s second city Christchurch this week has seen at least 75 people dead, with more than 300 still unaccounted for according to news reports. While in the face of such destruction rock n’ roll hardly seems relevant, a number of bands about to hit Australian shores for tours next week have had their shows postponed or cancelled.
Melvins, due to join the Soundwave Festival this weekend, were at Christchurch Airport when the quake hit. “We were at the Christchurch airport at the time of the earthquake,” drummer Coady Willis explained on Twitter. “We are OK … The quake hit just as we were checking in, so we were able to make it outside with our bags and gear … We were super lucky to make it out of town when we did, the cathedral that fell was right next to our hotel. It hit 30 mins after we left … Didn’t realise the level of devastation until we got in front of a TV at the airport … We all feel very fortunate to come out of this in one piece.”
Queens of the Stone Age, Amanda Palmer, and High on Fire were also scheduled to play gigs in Christchurch, with QOTSA postponing their Tuesday gig in Auckland until last night and cancelling tonight’s planned show in Christchurch. Palmer scrapped her Christchurch gig but was due to have performed in Auckland last night.
Melvins and High on Fire were due to play Wellington last night after pushing back their date one day, unable to fly out of Christchurch as members of both bands scrambled out of Christchurch Airport as the quake struck. Issuing a joint statement, the bands said “We are very shaken, but are all healthy and not injured. The attitude in the tour camp is very much one of ‘the show must go on’ and we are doing our damndest to make a revised tour schedule work … Our thoughts go out to all the people of Christchurch who have already been through such agony recently and are now going through much worse. To those who have lost loved ones in particular, our deepest sympathies.”
