Pitchfork

UPDATE: Check out My Morning Jacket's official statement below.

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James slipped and fell during a show in Iowa City last night (October 7). As a result, he sustained an injury that has forced him to cancel his appearance at an Obama benefit in Chicago tonight, according to a website update from Schubas, the venue where the benefit was scheduled to take place. Meanwhile, both My Morning Jacket shows at the Chicago Theatre this week have been postponed, according to promoter Jam Productions. These shows have not yet been rescheduled.

A report from Iowa newspaper The Gazette elaborates on the injury: "James slipped and fell about 30 minutes into the band's set at the [University of Iowa's] Recreation Building and was taken to a hospital. The remainder of the show was canceled...

"James apparently hit his head in the fall, which happened in the dark between songs...

"My Morning Jacket's four other members left the stage seconds after James fell. Drummer Patrick Hallahan returned to the stage several minutes later to say James fell and his injury was being assessed. About 10 minutes later, Hallahan and the rest of the band, minus James, took the stage to say the show was canceled.

"'Jim was really hurt. He's heading to the hospital,' Hallahan said. 'We're really sorry, this has never happened before.'"

Hallahan's apology, in which he also promises to make it up to the audience, is partially audible in this YouTube clip. An eyewitness report from Pitchfork reader Troy Smith, meanwhile, notes that James fell off the front of the stage and onto a row of bass cabinets following the conclusion of "Off the Record".

A spokesman for University Hospitals in Iowa City told the AP that James was treated there and released.

Here's the official statement on the incident, from the band:

As some of you may have heard we had to cancel our show last evening in Iowa City. We were finishing up the last few bars of "Off the Record", and just like any other night we were all having a great time. Jim went to get closer to the audience on his side of the stage, and as he moved forward to step onto the sub-woofer the lights darkened, and he inadvertently stepped off the stage. Upon falling, he suffered traumatic injuries to his torso, and was immediately taken to the hospital. Per the doctor's orders, Jim will be off the road and recovering from his injuries for the next two to three weeks. Sadly, we must postpone the two shows in Chicago on Thursday and Friday until further notice.
 
For those who attended the Iowa City show, we would like to extend our gratitude for your understanding and cooperation. We take our fans and performances very seriously, and would never cancel a show unless it was absolutely necessary. Please know that we will be making every effort to return to your fine city.
 
Thank you so much to our fans for the kind sentiments and well-wishes on Jim's behalf. We hope for Jim's quick recovery and to be back out on the road soon.
 
With Love,
My Morning Jacket

"Two to three weeks" of recovery likely means Jim's appearance at a second Obama benefit next week in Louisville, Kentucky is off as well. UPDATE: this show has indeed been cancelled.

The MMJ frontman has good reason to recover quickly, though: The band has added a bunch of Australian and Japanese shows to the end of its itinerary, all of which will take place in 2009. Included among these new dates are three shows supporting Neil Young.

My Morning Jacket:

10-08 Chicago, IL - Schubas (Jim James solo acoustic show) (Obama benefit)
10-09 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
10-10 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
10-16 Louisville, KY - Water Tower (Jim James solo acoustic show) (Obama Victory Fund benefit)
10-29 Dublin, Ireland - Irish Museum of Modern Art
11-01 Brussels, Belgium - Cirque Royale
11-02 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
11-04 Copenhagen, Denmark - Small Vega
11-05 Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene
11-06 Stockholm, Sweden - Berns
11-07 Lund, Sweden - Mejeriet
11-09 Berlin, Germany - Lido
11-10 Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
11-12 London, England - Brixton Academy *
11-13 Manchester, England - University
11-14 Glasgow, Scotland - ABC
12-29 Richmond, VA - The National
12-31 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
01-16 Auckland, New Zealand - Big Day Out
01-18 Gold Coast, Australia - Big Day Out
01-21 Brisbane, Australia - Entertainment Center #
01-22 Sydney, Australia - Metro Theatre
01-23 Sydney, Australia - Big Day Out
01-24 Sydney, Australia - Sydney Entertainment Centre #
01-26 Melbourne, Australia - Big Day Out
01-27 Melbourne, Australia - Billboard
01-28 Melbourne, Australia - Myer Music Bowl #
01-30 Adelaide, Australia - Big Day Out
02-01 Perth, Australia - Big Day Out
02-04 Tokyo, Japan - Duo
02-05 Tokyo, Japan - Duo
02-06 Osaka, Japan - Club Quattro

* with the Black Keys
# with Neil Young