Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
GOJIRA’s MARIO DUPLANTIER To Miss U.S. Festival Appearances Due To ‘Immigration Issue’; Temporary Replacement Announced
Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier will miss the French progressive metal band's U.S. festival dates in July 2026 due to an unspecified "immigration issue" that has prevented him from travelling to America in time. The band announced via social media that Luigi Paraventi of PaleFace Swiss will fill in on drums for the affected shows, describing Duplantier as "heartbroken" and noting he had fought hard to find a solution before the setback was confirmed.
The affected performances are Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin (16 July), Upheaval in Grand Rapids, Michigan (17 July), and Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio (18 July). The announcement comes after a strong period for Gojira, who won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in February 2025 for "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça Ira!)" and gained global recognition for their surprise Olympic Games opening ceremony performance in Paris in 2024, the first time a metal band has performed at the Olympics.
In short
- Gojira's Mario Duplantier misses U.S. festival dates over immigration issue
- Luigi Paraventi (PaleFace Swiss) steps in as temporary drummer
- Shows affected: Rock Fest, Upheaval, Inkcarceration festivals (16–18 July)
Explained simply
Gojira is a French progressive metal band that has recently achieved worldwide recognition. In February 2025, the band won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance, and they performed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony, becoming the first metal band ever to do so.
Mario Duplantier is the drummer for Gojira and has been a core member of the band since its formation. The drummer is fundamental to a metal band's distinctive sound and live performance, so his participation is essential for every tour the band undertakes.