Due medical reasons, John Darnielle has been forced cancel the Australian The Mountain Goats tour scheduled for April. Darnielle had this to say:

As some Australian ticketholders have already heard, we have had to cancel the Australian tour. This is really devastating for us to do. Everybody knows I don't cancel a show unless I absolutely have to; what's worse, coming to Australia is the highlight of our year. So many of our favorite shows ever are from our Australian tours, and we were excited about showing everyone the full–band lineup. The note sent out by our wonderful Australian agents, Handsome Tours, says "for personal medical reasons," and that says as much as need be said; if it weren't serious, I would be leaving for Oz next week, believe me. You'll be doing me a great favor if you keep me in your thoughts and prayers, and if you know in your heart that I don't play around in doing right by the people I love: I will be back to make this up to you.
Thank you for your understanding and again I am really really sorry. Love to you all
John D.

The band released Heretic Pride in March of this year.