The 20th-anniversary Australian tour of The Waifs has been postponed due to a severe e-scooter accident involving their lead singer, Donna Simpson. Donna, who fronts the folk-rock band, experienced a harrowing crash in Broome, Western Australia, following the band’s performance at the Roebuck Bay Hotel on September 24.
In a statement shared on the band’s Facebook page, it was explained that several dates of their upcoming Up All Night tour had been rescheduled to next year. The Geelong gig scheduled for November 10th will now take place on March 8th, while the band will proceed with their performance at the Day On The Green festival in California in December as planned. However, the Handpicked Festival in South Australia this weekend will proceed without Donna.
In a Facebook post, Donna expressed regret at missing the Handpicked Festival but conveyed confidence in her bandmates’ ability to deliver a remarkable set. She humorously remarked, “Not as good as my set without her at Blues Fest, but close!”
Donna detailed her injuries, revealing she has “four broken ribs, two collapsed lungs, and a bunch of bruises.” She took the opportunity to thank the Royal Flying Doctors service for swiftly and safely transporting her to Perth. Additionally, she expressed gratitude to the staff at Broome Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital for their excellent care during her recovery.
The Waifs, formed in 1992 in Western Australia, are multi-ARIA award winners known for hit albums like Up All Night, Sun Dirt Water, and Ironbark. The group comprises guitarist Joshua Cunningham, sisters Donna and Vikki Thorn (née Simpson), drummer David Ross Macdonald, and bassist Ben Franz. Popular among Triple J listeners, they have achieved high positions on the Hottest 100 charts with singles such as London Still and Lighthouse.