The Laneway Festival in Australia were forced to cancel a slot by Echo & The Bunnymen after singer Ian McCulloch missed his flight from London.

The scouse indie veterans were due to play the Melbourne leg of the festival tomorrow (January 30) on a bill which included Florence & The Machine, Mumford & Sons and The Dirty Three.

However, a statement on The Laneway Festival website reads: “The Laneway Festival regrets that Echo & the Bunnymen are no longer to play the Melbourne Laneway Festival tomorrow.

“Lead singer Ian McCulloch, who was due to arrive in Melbourne tonight, has missed his flight from London and won't make it to Australia in time for the scheduled performance. At this stage, all other performances are due to go ahead as planned.”

Midnight Juggernauts have been confirmed as the Echo & The Bunnymen replacement.

(by Scott Colothan)