Tour news: Cat Power cancels sold out NZ shows over rare blood disease

Cat Power has pulled out of two sold out New Zealand shows after falling ill.

The American singer-songwriter was scheduled to perform in Auckland tonight and Wellington tomorrow, but a press release said both sold out shows were now postponed, along with an Australian tour.

"Cat Power, aka Chan Marshall, suffers from Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) a potentially fatal rare blood disease that causes swelling around the throat, oesophagus and internal organs," the statement said.

"This is the first time in an 18 year touring history downunder that Chan has been forced to postpone any shows and she is determined too make it back as soon as possible and in good health.

"All tickets for this tour will remain valid for the rescheduled dates which will be advised shortly."

Marshall recently posted this Instagram account about her struggles with the disease.

View this post on Instagram

#hereditaryangioedema @thedragonelite with @repostapp. ・・・ embrace life, have compassion for others, live to love and love to live. #HAE changed my life forever. not because of the frequent episodes, nor because of the multiple hospital admissions. not because of the near-death experiences due to laryngeal swelling -- but because I've learned through my own pain, my own silent moments how it's easy to take this human experience for granted. tragedy makes great comedy. embrace each other, embrace each quality whether great or challenging -- life is much more when we see beyond invisible lines. #namaste #TheDragonElite #hereditaryangioedema

A post shared by CAT POWER (@catpowerofficial) on Jan 30, 2016 at 5:51pm PST

Cat Power last performed here at the Laneway Music Festival in 2014.