Blink-182’s current Las Vegas residency has been put on hold, following the news that drummer Travis Barker has been diagnosed with blood clots in both of his arms.
Back in March, it was announced that 2018 was set to see Blink-182 take on a role usually reserved for ageing crooners; a Las Vegas residency. Their 16-date residency kicked off in May, with further dates scheduled to run through June, October, and November. However this weekend’s dates were forced to be cancelled after drummer Travis Barker received some worrying medical news.
Taking to Instagram recently, Barker shared a latter from his doctor which outlined that he had been diagnosed with “thrombophlebitis in his bilateral upper extremities” and that he had been advised to “temporarily discontinue all performing through July 1.” For those of us without a medical degree, it basically means that he’s been diagnosed with blood clots in his arms, and will be out of action for a fortnight.
Blink-182 also took to Twitter to confirm the news, revealing that the four dates they had scheduled for the last half of June have been cancelled following this news.
“Friends, Travis Barker is suffering from blood clots in both arms and unfortunately cannot perform until cleared to do so by his medical team. The situation is being closely monitored,” the group wrote in a statement
“Due to this situation it is with great regret that the blink-182 ‘Kings of the Weekend’ Las Vegas residency dates this weekend must be rescheduled.”
“Drumming is my life and it kills me that I can’t perform for you guys this weekend. I hope to be back as soon as I can,” explained Barker in the statement, before separately taking to Twitter to reveal that he has also been hit with a staph infection as well.
— blink-182 (@blink182) June 15, 2018
Blood clots in both arms and a staff infection wasn’t the news I was hoping for. I’ll be back soon, thanks for all the love & prayers 🙏🏻
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) June 16, 2018
While Travis Barker has battled with a number of health issues over the years – the most notable of which being a 2008 plane crash that almost claimed his life, left him with severe burns and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder – we hope that this is just a minor setback, and that the group will be back on the road again soon.
As it stands, it’s also been five years since Blink-182 were last in Australia, with the band performing here in 2013 as part of the Soundwave Festival. While Travis Barker wasn’t able to make it over due to his understandable fear of flying, we hope that the future might see him making it over to Aussie shores once again.
Check out Blink-182’s ‘Adam’s Song’:
