# Muna's Naomi McPherson steps back for family

> Naomi McPherson is missing five Muna shows to be with their mother in her final days, and the band made room for it.
- Title: Muna's Naomi McPherson steps back for family · Rolling Stone
- Summary: Naomi McPherson is missing five Muna shows to be with their mother in her final days, and the band made room for it. Muna chose to keep the tour running…
- Keywords: muna, tour, grief, music news, cancer, Muna's, Naomi, McPherson, steps, back, family, Rolling Stone
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/music/music-news/muna-naomi-mcpherson-tour-1235627134
- Author: Kory Grow
- Published: 2026-09-15T19:15:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: muna, tour, grief, music news, cancer
## Naomi is staying home
Muna's Naomi McPherson will sit out part of the band's headline tour to care for their mother, Harriet, who is in the terminal stages of cancer.
## The timing collided
The band said Harriet's passing is expected to land right as the headline tour begins, so Naomi stayed behind rather than leave her side.

> It has become clear that [Harriet's] passing will coincide with the beginning of this headline tour.
## Five cities without them
McPherson expects to miss shows in Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Nashville, and Atlanta while handling their mother's affairs.
## The shows go on
Naomi insisted the tour continue either way, and the band built plans around that before announcing anything.

> It was important to Naomi that the shows happen with or without them.
## Lou Roy fills in
Musician Lou Roy, a friend of the band, will play and sing in McPherson's place for the affected dates.

> the outrageously talented musician Lou Roy playing and singing in their stead
## Fans can write back
Muna is setting up a letter drop at each show Naomi misses so fans can leave notes of encouragement. The band called Harriet one of the wisest, most loving people they knew.

> one of the greatest, most wise and loving people
## Key takeaway

Muna chose to keep the tour running without forcing Naomi to choose between the stage and their dying mother.