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September 11, 2007

White Stripes Bail On ACL, Cite "Nervous Breakdown"

Even though we've managed to catch the Stripes twice this year already, we'd be lying if we didn't say their set at this weekend's Austin City Limits festival was a big reason for our heading down to Austin on Friday. But we aren't gonna bitch; sounds like Meg's in a bad way.

This via No Dessert For You:

The White Stripes have canceled their Austin City Limits appearances scheduled for this weekend, citing a nervous breakdown on the part of comely drummer Meg White. There’s little to no Web coverage yet, but I got the news straight from the horse’s mouth. What’s your deal, Meg? You’re awesome, and your job ain’t that hard.
Well Kelefa would object to the "job ain't that hard" part, and it looks like maybe Meg would, too; dealing with a peaking Jack probably comes with its valleys. NDFY also reminds that Winehouse and current MTV darlings Rodrigo Y Gabriela have bailed (both citing exhaustion), poking holes in a lineup that, to be fair, still is sturdy.

But what's up with Meg? Too much Icky touring? Details are welcome. For now, a picture of Meg in happier times.


[via NME]

Wearing red even then, bless her heart.

UPDATE: Explanation via whitestripes.com reveals that Ms. White isn't suffering a nervous breakdown; it's "acute anxiety." Get well soon, Meg! (Thanks, Caitlin)

Posted at 2:01 PM
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43 Comments

please excuse me while i go slit my wrists...seriously...my whole weekend revolved around the white stripes aftershow at stubbs...ugh. the only thing that would make this better is if the arcade fire steps in for both shows. ugh. this SUCKS!

Posted by: Laura at 09/11/07 2:12 PM | Reply
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Don't bail on San Diego in a week and we're still cool, Meg.

Posted by: zik at 09/11/07 2:12 PM | Reply
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the effects of a record bombing.

Posted by: nick at 09/11/07 2:16 PM | Reply
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well there goes the scheduling clusterfuck

Posted by: liz at 09/11/07 2:26 PM | Reply
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I know! Move The Killers to that time slot and let MMJ or Wilco play Friday night!

Posted by: Chris Davis at 09/11/07 2:35 PM | Reply
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I would have a nervous break down too if my music suck that bad.

Flame on bitches!

G.

Posted by: God at 09/11/07 2:37 PM | Reply
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The rumor is that the Kid Rock - Tommy Lee dustup at the VMAs was over Meg, not Pam Anderson. Might have something to do with her situation.

Posted by: Ed at 09/11/07 2:42 PM | Reply
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Best cancellation of the last 20 years.

Posted by: Brando Flowers at 09/11/07 2:44 PM | Reply
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White Stripes cancel ACL show
9/11/2007 11:49 AM
By: News 8 Austin Staff

The Austin City Limits Music Festival just lost one of its headliners.

The White Stripes won't play Saturday night. Concert promoters cite medical reasons for the cancellation.

The White Stripes were also scheduled to play Sunday at Stubbs.

There's no word on who will take their place or if the lineup will just be shuffled. Arcade Fire is also playing at the same time on the AMD stage.

Posted by: Dr. at 09/11/07 2:47 PM | Reply
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Man, I was just skimming the titles on the page and I thought this was going to be the White Stripes covering "Nervous Breakdown." I care a lot less now that I've read the post fully.

Posted by: stafford at 09/11/07 3:00 PM | Reply
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meg is taking owen wilson thing pretty rough.

Posted by: dannygutters at 09/11/07 3:13 PM | Reply
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C'mon Stereogum! iTunes can have ringtones. I need you to tell me which ringtones will turn my iPhone into iHipsterPhone.

Posted by: Steve at 09/11/07 3:22 PM | Reply
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Wish I would have put those extra tickets I have to the Stubb's show on Craigslist earlier...

Posted by: Hypeful at 09/11/07 3:24 PM | Reply
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my first ACL, and this happens. damn.

Posted by: nancy at 09/11/07 3:38 PM | Reply
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You can sign a virtual get well soon card for Meg here http://www.gooseninja.com/2007/09/sign-our-get-well-soon-card-for-meg.html

Posted by: Ian Babcock at 09/11/07 3:45 PM | Reply
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To quote Marty McFly, things are getting heavy, Doc.

Posted by: Meg White at 09/11/07 4:17 PM | Reply
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I'm in a bad way because of all the digital cameras going off in my fuckin' face NIGHT after every fuckin NIGHT! Who needs that?

Posted by: Meg Black at 09/11/07 5:28 PM | Reply
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crap, Muse is replacing the Stripes.

Posted by: c in austin at 09/11/07 5:57 PM | Reply
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No Dessert for You posted a correction to the post. It's not necessarily a nervous breakdown.

Posted by: Steve H. at 09/11/07 6:03 PM | Reply
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Ghostland Observatory is filling in for the aftershow.
I LOVE the Stripes.... but believe me, this is a blessing in disguise.
RUN RUN RUN to go see GLO! You will NOT be disappointed.

Posted by: Mike at 09/11/07 6:46 PM | Reply
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Meg White is significantly less pretentious in real life than the forgettable indie rockers this blog usually writes about. Sometimes it is okay to show class.

Posted by: Greydon Clark at 09/11/07 6:53 PM | Reply
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Please don't report this as fact until you have reliable sources. Spinner.com got word from a White Stripes spokesperson who states that Meg White did NOT have nervous breakdown." Also, U2 will NOT be filling in for them.

http://www.spinner.com/2007/09/11/the-white-stripes-cancel-acl-gig/

Posted by: charlie at 09/11/07 7:50 PM | Reply
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she started wearing red and white way back then!

Posted by: bly at 09/11/07 8:02 PM | Reply
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She got emphysema from all that smoking she does.

Posted by: Mayor Bloomberg at 09/11/07 9:23 PM | Reply
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Official word from whitestripes.com:

The White Stripes announced today that they are canceling their forthcoming tour due to health issues. Meg White is suffering from acute anxiety and is unable to travel at this time.

The White Stripes sincerely apologize to their fans.
"We hate to let people down and are very sorry."

Posted by: charlie at 09/11/07 10:16 PM | Reply
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Get well Meg!

Posted by: Jennifer at 09/11/07 10:30 PM | Reply
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no amy and no meg. i get that they're sick ladies and i feel bad.

but it sucks when two of my fave acts from the initial acl lineup are out. maybe i should be into more stable performers...

Posted by: flora at 09/11/07 10:58 PM | Reply
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I agree with moving either MMJ or Wilco to the Stripes slot on Saturday, hell I'm sure MMJ would play them both.

Posted by: JMW at 09/11/07 11:07 PM | Reply
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FUUUUCCCCKKKKK! What did I just say Meg?! What did I just say?!??!?!?! God damn that sucks. It must be pretty serious though if they're taking off the next two months.

Posted by: zik at 09/12/07 12:30 AM | Reply
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They could have at least lied about why they were cancelling their concerts. Anxiety attacks is a pretty weak excuse now that everybody uses it.

Posted by: Elliot at 09/12/07 1:02 AM | Reply
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Meg, you owe me $20 in convenience fees.

Posted by: Mbwa kahawa at 09/12/07 7:39 AM | Reply
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High anxiety! High anxiety!

Posted by: Mel Brooks at 09/12/07 9:00 AM | Reply
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So let me get this straight.....No White Stripes and now no Muse since I'll probably wind up choosing Arcade Fire over them. Dag!!!!

Why couldn't that awful frontman (Flowers, WTF?!!) from the Killers cancel instead and take his ridiculous band down with him?!?!!!

Justice has NOT been served :(

Posted by: 215 at 09/12/07 9:57 AM | Reply
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The ACL people did a terrible job of scheduling in the first place. Wilco and MMJ at the same time? Killers and Bjork, Whites/Arcade Fire, etc.

Posted by: jgreenwood at 09/12/07 11:38 AM | Reply
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And here I was looking forward to seeing them on one of their shows at The Paramount Theater scheduled two weeks from now.

Ugh, and I thought these show cancellations would stop with The Cure's re-schedule.

Get well, Meg!

Posted by: volume-addict at 09/12/07 12:43 PM | Reply
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Wait... Kid Rock and Tommy Lee fighting over Meg White? Can we get any sources for this rumor? And maybe a home made video?!?

Posted by: Greg at 09/12/07 8:49 PM | Reply
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re all the nasty, trite and immature barbs re meg white - grow up and give the girl a break.

Posted by: pooky at 09/13/07 1:08 AM | Reply
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Ahahaha!!

She probably spent a day sober.

Posted by: yukahonda at 09/13/07 1:23 AM | Reply
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all I wanted was to see the fookin Cold War Kids...and I do love me the White Stripes..but CWK!!!!! awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Posted by: lauramom at 09/13/07 1:28 PM | Reply
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You folks do realize that this is by far the most press that Meg as an individual has ever gotten? What sucks is that it takes an illness to do so. Get well soon, dear and by the way, the show in Delaware was absolutely amazingly awesometastic!

Posted by: D-Ford at 09/17/07 9:45 AM | Reply
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The White stripes cancelling was unfortunate but moving Muse up into the finale timeslot worked out great as they put on a fantastic show! Cant comment on winehouse bailing but the loss of Rodrigo y Gabriela was filled in superbly by Common who I heard raving reviews from people as we trekked to the next show.

Good on you ACL for making great adjustments and substitutions at the last minute!

Posted by: KP at 09/18/07 11:24 AM | Reply
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The White Stripes are so "ol' school" in their approach that they are ahead of their time- if you're following me? You people can't handle it. You people can't grasp the fact that they're great becasuse you're so narrow minded and ignorant. They have their own specific sound. It's simple- yes- but so was Nirvana. Let me guess- you didn't like themt either? I'll bet your life that Nickelback is in your CD player right now. you can't relate.

Posted by: nathan Reimer at 09/26/07 1:18 AM | Reply
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all of you are oblivious. the touring was cancelled because the sex tape business.

the tape WASN'T meg and she was severely embarassed.. shes a very shy person.

it caused her to have anxiety attacks and she couldn't go on with the tour.


jerks. !

Posted by: jenny at 12/11/08 12:05 PM | Reply
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