Modern Baseball Postpone Aussie Tour Plans For Health Reasons

September's Poison City Weekender festival has suffered a setback with the revelation that beloved US pop-punk outfit Modern Baseball have withdrawn from the line-up and cancelled their associated planned Australian shows for mental health reasons.

The band's co-frontman Brendan Lukens broke the news on social media this morning, expressing that the decision was made "with much difficulty" and thanking/apologising to his fans, not just in Australia but over in the UK, where the band had been scheduled to perform at the impending Reading & Leeds festivals.

"I've spent most of my life struggling with anxiety and depression, and after the last few months it's evident that it's time to put everything else aside to focus on making steps towards positive mental health," Lukens wrote. 

"Like I said before, thank you to everyone who has been so understanding through all of this, the continuous support Modern Baseball and myself have received since 2011 is so amazing; and I (we) could never thank you all enough."

However, all hope is not lost for fans who were excited at the prospect of seeing the band perform live; Lukens confirmed on the way out that this is a mere postponement rather than outright cancellation, and the band will do what they can to get Down Under (and across to the UK) "soon".

"We promise to make it to the UK and Australia soon, until then keep doing what you're doing yall," he wrote.

As for the wider impact on the Aussie shows - which were co-headline appearances with Iron Chic - organisers expressed their total understanding of "the seriousness and importance of mental health, and wish Brendan (and the band) all the best as they take the first positive steps on a difficult road", and have moved swiftly to placate those left in the lurch by MoBo's totally understandable withdrawal.

"All planned co-headline shows with Iron Chic will still be happening with replacement from Self Defense Family, Apart From This and Postblue on various dates," organisers wrote. "Optional ticket refunds for select dates will be available from point of purchase.

See Modern Baseball and Poison City's full posts, including a breakdown of the new show schedule and roster, below.