Naomi McPherson to Miss MUNA Tour Start Amid Mother’s Cancer Battle
Naomi McPherson will step away from the start of MUNA's fall tour to spend final days with her mother, Harriet, who is battling terminal cancer.
Ryan Cooper 
Indie pop trio MUNA shared a heartbreaking update with fans this week, announcing that member Naomi McPherson will miss the beginning of the group’s upcoming fall tour. The 33-year-old musician is staying home to remain with their mother, Harriet, who is facing the final stages of an aggressive and terminal form of cancer.
In a moving Instagram post shared on Sept. 15, the band explained that Harriet’s condition has escalated in severity over the past few weeks. "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," the group wrote. They noted it has become clear that her passing will likely coincide with the start of the headline tour.
The "Gets So Hot" tour is scheduled to begin on Sept. 25 at Highmark Mann in Philadelphia. McPherson will miss the opening show along with performances in Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Nashville, and Atlanta. Musician Lou Roy will step in for McPherson during these dates. Roy expressed her support on social media, writing, "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."
MUNA, which includes Katie Gavin and Josette Maskin alongside McPherson, emphasized how important it was to Naomi that the tour proceed despite their absence. The band also paid a heartfelt tribute to Harriet’s influence, stating it is "impossible to overstate" the impact she has had on their hearts and souls. "She is simply one of the greatest, most wise and loving people and we are enraged and full of despair that she is being taken from us," the group shared, adding they feel immense gratitude for the way she raised her child.
Based in Los Angeles, MUNA is widely celebrated for queer-affirming hits like "Silk Chiffon" and recently released the album "The Gets So Hot" in 2025. While fans are eager for McPherson's return to the stage, the band has not yet provided a specific timeline for when the musician will rejoin the tour.
