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Oct 11, 2010 By Katrina Yentch Bon Iver

Gayngs was distressed to announce that their performance on the Austin City Limits stage this past weekend had to be cancelled due to a set of difficulties with their tour bus driver, who it at first seemed to accidentally drive across country with all the band’s personal belongings and equipment. After a struggled attempt to continue the show with borrowed equipment, Gayngs instead cancelled their set. At first the band thought that all their equipment had been stolen, but then it seemed as though their bus driver got his wires crossed.

Here was the full statement released by the band on Sunday about the somewhat strange incident:

“Last night, GAYNGS’ tour bus, containing all of the band’s gear, personal belongings, and livelihood, was mistakenly driven across the country from Emo’s Downtown, en route to the ACL Festival Grounds. Unable to reach the driver of the bus, the band reported the gear stolen at approximately 4:20am.

After a sleepless, worry full night, the band made every attempt to borrow and backline equipment so the show could go on, however, we regret to announce that we will not be able to perform without the necessary equipment that was taken by the bus.

We are insanely bummed out by these events. We can only hope to have the opportunity to make it up to all of you. Thanks for your support on this tour. It was truly a dream come true.”

Why exactly did the bus driver think he was supposed to drive across country, rather than across town? Well according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune (via Pitchfork), the tour bus company asked the driver to return the bus to Nashville early because the band was late in paying their $6,000 bill. On his blog (also via Pitchfork), Gayngs member and Bon Iver singer Justin Vernon wrote today on his blog that the band was given no notice that their payment was late.

Vernon wrote: “While it is totally ‘Gayngs’ to not pay bills… we were given no warning of our gear being taken and it was absolutely our every intention to pay our bill. Matter of fact, me and Lewis just paid it. In person. In Nashville. Flew there this morning. None of that changes the fact that our gear WAS stolen. And taken hostage. And caused us not to be able play. Gayngs feelings were fucking totally crushed; and tears were shed when we had to cancel what was possibly our last show ever.”