The White Stripes have cancelled four live dates in Japan, due to kick off on 12 Jan, because of ill health. Jack White has done something serious to his vocal chords and doctors have advised him to neither speak nor sing for a period of two weeks. The band are expected to reschedule the dates, and their appearance at Big Day Out is as yet still to go ahead.
A statement said: "We sincerely apologise to our Japanese fans and friends and hope to reschedule dates as soon as we can. For our friends in New Zealand and Australia, the band looks forward to seeing you at the Big Day Out."