Metal band drummer named Mario replaced by Luigi after pulling out of festivals

If Mario isn’t available, the best thing you can do is call Luigi instead, as this metal band found ahead of its festival appearances in the US.

French heavy metal band Gojira, which the uninitiated might remember from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, was formed by brothers Joe and Mario Duplantier, alongside guitarist Christian Andreu.

But with the Grammy-award winners due to play shows at Upheaval fest in Michigan and Louder Than Life in Kentucky, Mario, who plays drums, was unable to travel to the US due to an “immigration issue.”

Thankfully, with Mario sidelined, Luigi was able to step up and take his place.

Band swaps Mario for Luigi & Nintendo fans are loving it

In an Instagram post, the band confirmed that Luigi Paraventi of fellow metallers Paleface Swiss would be replacing Mario Duplantier in these upcoming shows.

The irony of Luigi replacing Mario wasn’t lost on the group, either, as they wrote: “Player 2 has entered the game. RESPECT!” The post also included a side-by-side image of the two drummers, followed by the two characters from Nintendo’s Mario Bros series.

Plenty of fans also joined in on the joke, comparing members of the band to the legendary plumbers.

“Bowser been real quiet since you posted this,” quipped one reply, while another said: “Super Metal Bros.”

“Did you specifically find someone called Luigi so you can make this joke?” asked a third.

Although Mario Duplantier is “heartbroken” to miss out on the shows and fans will no doubt be sad that a key member won’t be behind the drum kit, it still gave the video game fans in Gojira’s fan base a good laugh.

This is the latest bizarre music story we’ve seen recently, after garbage from Taylor Swift’s wedding was being sold $25 a pop, and Olivia Rodrigo fans wearing diapers to secure front row spots.