Pat Smear to Miss Foo Fighters Shows After Bizarre Gardening Accident

Pat Smear will be sidelined from upcoming Foo Fighters shows due to a bizarre gardening accident that left his foot broken.

When Rockstars Meet Gardening Mishaps

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about rockstars, it’s that their lives often blend chaos with the unexpected—and Pat Smear’s latest injury is no exception. The Foo Fighters guitarist has been forced to step back from several upcoming shows after what the band humorously described as a “bizarre gardening accident.” Yes, you read that right: a rock legend succumbing to the perils of backyard labor. In classic rockstar tradition, Smear “smashed the shit out of his left foot” while ringing in the New Year, and it’s sidelined him for the foreseeable future.

Pat Smear, Foo Fighters guitarist, captured in a candid moment

The band took to Instagram to break the news, assuring fans that while they’ll all miss Pat’s energy live on stage, his health comes first. “This means he’ll unfortunately be missing a few shows while the multiple broken bones in his foot heal. We’ll miss our beloved Pat as much as you will, but we want him fully healed and back on his feet as soon as possible,” they wrote with a mix of concern and cheeky rockstar humor.

Filling the Shoes (and Guitar) of Pat Smear

Rock is a relentless beast, and Foo Fighters have no plans to slow down. Stepping in to fill Pat Smear’s formidable shoes is Jason Falkner, known for his guitar work with Beck and St. Vincent. Fans can rest easy knowing the band’s live sound remains in capable hands while Pat recovers.

Upcoming Shows Pat Will Miss

Unfortunately, Pat will have to miss the band’s benefit show for homeless charities Hope the Mission and the Los Angeles Mission at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on January 14 — which happens to be frontman Dave Grohl’s birthday. He’s also out for upcoming dates in Australia and Mexico this month, leaving a gap in the lineup that Jason Falkner will cover.

Foo Fighters ‘Take Cover’ Tour: What’s Next?

While Pat heals, Foo Fighters are gearing up for their much-anticipated 2026 ‘Take Cover’ tour across the UK and Europe this summer. This includes two massive nights at Liverpool FC’s iconic Anfield Stadium on June 25 and 27. The lineup supporting the tour reads like a dream bill for any indie and alternative rock fan, featuring Royel Otis, Inhaler, IDLES, Otoboke Beaver, Fat Dog, and Die Spitz.

Here’s a quick look at the confirmed 2026 ‘Take Cover’ tour dates:

June

• 10 – Oslo, Norway, Unity Arena *#*
• 12 – Stockholm, Sweden, Strawberry Arena *#*
• 15 – Warsaw, Poland, PGE Narodowy *#*
• 17 – Munich, Germany, Allianz Arena ^#
• 19 – Paris, France, Paris La Défense Arena ^#
• 25 – Liverpool, UK, Anfield Stadium ^#
• 27 – Liverpool, UK, Anfield Stadium *%*

July

• 1 – Berlin, Germany, Olympiastadion +”
• 3 – Vienna, Austria, Ernst-Happel-Stadium +”
• 5 – Milan, Italy, I-Days +”
• 8 – Madrid, Spain, Mad Cool Festival
• 10 – Oeiras, Portugal, NOS Alive Festival

Support acts:
*Royel Otis* (*)
*Inhaler* (^)
*IDLES* (+)
*Otoboke Beaver* (#)
*Die Spitz* (%)
*Fat Dog* (“)

Tickets for these shows are hot commodities and definitely worth snapping up if you want to catch Foo Fighters in full swing this summer.

A Fresh Single and North American Tour Buzz

The tour announcement comes on the heels of Foo Fighters sharing details about their 2026 North American stadium tour and dropping a brand-new single titled ‘Asking For A Friend’. It’s clear the band is charging ahead full throttle, building on the momentum from this summer’s stand-alone release, ‘Today’s Song’, as they venture into their next era.

Nothing says rock revival quite like fresh tunes and stadium anthems. If you need a little sonic boost, here’s a throwback to one of their classics:

Drumline Drama: Josh Freese’s Unanswered Questions

Shifting gears, there’s a bit of backstage intrigue swirling around the band’s former drummer, Josh Freese. Last month, he openly shared that he still doesn’t know why he was fired from Foo Fighters. Despite his impressive resume, including performances with Nine Inch Nails, Freese remains in the dark about his departure.

During a radio interview on December 10, Freese admitted, “Not really... I’ve got a couple of theories, but I feel like people are so interested in that because they’re such a massive band that I’m kind of hesitant to comment at all about it yet because anything I say is gonna be used and thrown around and republished and reposted.”

He was replaced by Ilan Rubin, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, while Freese moved on to tour with Trent Reznor’s group, keeping his legendary chops sharp.

Wrapping Up the Pat Smear Situation

Pat Smear’s unfortunate gardening accident is a quirky, albeit painful, reminder that even rock icons aren’t immune to life’s little mishaps. While his absence from the stage will be felt by fans and bandmates alike, his recovery is the priority — and with Jason Falkner stepping in, the show must and will go on.

Are you planning to catch Foo Fighters on their upcoming ‘Take Cover’ tour? Which supporting act are you most excited to see? Let us know!

FAQ

• Will Pat Smear miss all upcoming Foo Fighters shows?
  No, Pat is only sitting out the shows this month while he recovers from his broken foot. He is expected to be back for the summer ‘Take Cover’ tour.
• Who is filling in for Pat Smear on guitar?
  Jason Falkner, known for his work with Beck and St. Vincent, will cover guitar duties during Pat’s recovery.
• What caused Pat Smear’s injury?
  He suffered multiple fractures in his left foot due to a “bizarre gardening accident” around New Year’s.
• When and where is the Foo Fighters ‘Take Cover’ tour?
  The band will tour Europe and the UK from June 10 through July 10, playing venues including Anfield Stadium in Liverpool.
• What’s the story with former Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese?
  Josh Freese still doesn’t know why he was let go from the band and has moved on to tour with Nine Inch Nails, replaced by Ilan Rubin in Foo Fighters.

For fans wanting to celebrate Foo Fighters’ legendary career, why not shop your favorite album cover poster at our store? It’s a perfect way to keep the rock spirit alive in your home.

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