Entertainment

Kasabian ‘still playing Reading and Leeds’ after frontman Tom Meighan taken to hospital

He was struck down by a bug moments before a gig in Belfast.
He was struck down by a bug moments before a gig in Belfast. He was struck down by a bug moments before a gig in Belfast.

Kasabian are expected to headline Reading and Leeds festivals as planned this weekend despite the band’s Tom Meighan being taken to hospital, organisers have said.

The rock group postponed a performance in Belfast on Tuesday night moments before they were due on stage after the frontman was struck down by a bug.

In a statement on their Twitter account on Wednesday, the band said they were “absolutely gutted” to cancel the show at Custom House Square after Meighan “suddenly went down with severe vomiting and could hardly stand up let alone sing”.

They added he was taken to hospital where he was put on a drip and promised the gig would be rescheduled.

The statement made no reference of their festival appearances this weekend but the Reading and Leeds Twitter account later told worried fans: “Kasabian are still playing as planned.”

There were fears the band would pull out of the twin festivals, which is also being headlined by Muse and Eminem.

Kasabian are scheduled to perform at Reading on Friday night before making the journey north on Saturday to headline Leeds.

Leicester City 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Champions Parade
Leicester City 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Champions Parade
Tom Meighan (left) and Sergio Pizzorno of Kasabian (Nick Potts/PA)

It marks the second time the Leicester rockers are topping the festivals’ bill and comes following the release of their fifth consecutive number one album, For Crying Out Loud.

Earlier this year, Meighan told the Press Association the album, penned by guitarist Serge Pizzorno, had “saved him”.

He said: “I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t have heard Acid House or any of the beautiful songs that Serge has written.

“Everything was negative in my life and it picked me up and gave me a new lease. I just needed it and something to focus on.”