Julien Baker ends New York gig early due to illness, confirms new date with mystery “special guest”
Julien Baker ended her show in New York early on Sunday night (October 6) due to illness, but has since confirmed a new date with a surprise “special guest”.
The soloist and Boygenius member began a three-night run at NYC’s Webster Hall last Saturday (October 5), where she debuted two new songs with Torres. However, Baker was forced to leave the stage mid-set the following evening after getting sick.
According to Setlist.FM, the singer-songwriter performed nine tracks before her live backing band attempted an instrumental version of ‘Middle Children’. Baker’s Boygenius bandmate Lucy Dacus then came out to announce that the gig would be ending prematurely.
“I have, actually, sad news, which is that totally unexpectedly Julien rushed off the stage and is sick and is throwing up, which I just got clearance from her to tell y’all,” Dacus told the audience.
@mcflycreates Lucy telling us that Julien got sick and the rest of the show was canceled! Get better soon Julien! #julienbaker #lucydacus #boygenius
“So you know that it is really, actually something happening. So the show is not gonna keep happening. She can’t just… you know. Nobody here wants that. Thanks for understanding. She’s already like, ‘What can we do for these people?’ So know that you’re in mind and she was wanting to walk out here, shaking, and finish the show.”
She added: “So sorry on her behalf. Round of applause for Julien’s band. Thanks for being understanding, and I’ll get the guy to go lie down. What great songs that you didn’t get to hear!”
Baker returned to Webster Hall to play her scheduled concert last night (October 7), after confirming that she was “feeling much better”.
She also announced a new date at another NYC venue (October 8) for those who were at Sunday’s show. “All you have to do is show up to the Brooklyn Steel show with your ticket from October 6th,” Baker wrote.
She teased: “Katie Malco will kick the evening off, followed by a surprise interlude by a special guest.” Check out the announcement post below.
Late last month, Baker debuted two new tracks in Chicago – the aforementioned ‘Middle Children’, and ‘High In The Basement’. She was also joined by Bartees Strange in Washington DC for a special rendition of ‘Ringside’.
Further shows are scheduled for San Francisco and Los Angeles ahead of Baker’s five-night stint at London’s EartH, bumped up from the original three-date run.
Boygenius released their debut album ‘The Record’ in March 2023. The project won three Grammys and was named NME‘s Album of The Year. In a glowing five-star review, NME wrote: “This debut is a gorgeous testament to what can happen when you allow yourself to fully be seen.
“Though each of the album’s 12 tracks could have fit nicely on one of their personal records, their work together takes on a brighter bolder existence, enabling them to light up individually and together at the same time.”
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Tom Skinner
NME
