MUNA’s Naomi McPherson to Miss Start of Fall Tour Due to Mother’s Terminal Illness
Naomi McPherson will miss the opening dates of MUNA’s 'Gets So Hot' tour to be with their mother, Harriet, who is battling aggressive terminal cancer.
Ryan Cooper 
Indie pop trio MUNA has announced that member Naomi McPherson will miss the beginning of the band’s upcoming fall tour to remain home with their mother, Harriet, who is in the final stages of a battle with terminal cancer. The Los Angeles-based group shared the somber news in an Instagram post on September 15, explaining that Harriet’s condition has escalated significantly in recent weeks.
According to the band, the timing of Harriet's decline unfortunately aligns with the launch of their 'Gets So Hot' tour. “Tragically, Naomi’s mother Harriet has been suffering for some time now from an extremely aggressive and terminal form of cancer that has escalated in severity over the past few weeks,” MUNA wrote. “Now, it has become clear that her passing will coincide with the beginning of this headline tour.”
McPherson, who provides guitar, synthesizers, and vocals for the group alongside Katie Gavin and Josette Maskin, was adamant that the shows proceed despite their absence. The tour is set to begin on September 25 at Highmark Mann in Philadelphia. McPherson is expected to miss that performance, as well as subsequent stops in Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Nashville, and Atlanta. Musician Lou Roy will step in to fill McPherson’s role for the affected dates. Roy expressed their gratitude and support on Instagram, stating, “I’m so honored to be stepping in for Naomi. I’m going to do my best to bring you guys the best shows we can in this absolutely insane moment.”
In their announcement, the band offered a moving tribute to Harriet, emphasizing her profound influence on their lives and careers. “It is impossible to overstate the impact that Harriet has had on the band, and on our hearts and souls. We are heartbroken,” they shared, describing her as one of the “most wise and loving people.” The group expressed a mix of “despair” and “gratitude” for the way Harriet raised McPherson and the love she showed the entire band.
MUNA, widely recognized for their queer-affirming anthems such as “Silk Chiffon,” released their latest album, “The Gets So Hot,” in 2025. While the band confirmed McPherson will stay home for the start of the tour, they have not yet provided a specific timeline for when the musician will rejoin the group on the road.
