CITYnews halifax: Broken Social Scene pulls out of Halifax Jazz Festival after drummer suffers fall

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

The city’s jazz festival is without its headliner this Saturday because a band pulled out after their drummer suffered a serious fall in Vancouver.

According to a brief message posted on the Halifax Jazz Festival website, Broken Social Scene cancelled their performance for July 11.

“This decision was made with the band’s health and care in mind and is unfortunately outside of the Festival’s control,” it reads.

On Instagram, the band’s singer, Kevin Drew, said that on July 3, when they were in Vancouver performing, their bandmate, Justin Peroff, fell and was seriously injured.

“We spent a few hours in (the ER) after — shoutout St. Paul’s Hospital for taking such good care of Justin,” Drew said. “He was ordered a month’s rest, and we had to get him on a flight home the following day.”

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The band came together to finish off their tour stops in Calgary and Edmonton, but Drew said they felt like they could not perform for the jazz festival to “the level that we should be.” He acknowledged that by cancelling the commitment, it put additional pressure on the organizers of the festival.

“What I really want to say is that I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry we can’t be there,” Drew said. “I want to apologize to the festival itself; these festivals matter, and music is healing…East Coasters, you are exceptional people and I hope I to see you soon.”

The organization said it is “disappointed” by the decision but is still anticipating a celebration of its 40th anniversary with visitors. For people who had tickets, the organization is asking them to check their emails.