“The operation went well and I’m currently recovering in hospital,” said Bicep’s Matthew McBriar.
On the surface, it’s looked like business as usual for Bicep throughout 2024. But Matthew McBriar, one half of the UK DJ duo, was quietly dealing with a brain tumor that, as of last week, has been removed via surgery.
According to a statement McBriar posted on Bicep’s Instagram account, he started getting “intense localised headaches” and a “weird fatigue” toward the end of 2023. Following a series of tests, doctors diagnosed him with a craniopharyngioma — a brain tumor that forms on tissues of the pituitary gland.
“The good news is firstly, it’s almost certainly not cancerous and secondly, I’ve caught it in the earlier stages of damage…” wrote McBriar. “…Had it been much longer I might’ve lost some eyesight and a load of other problems due to the size and position of the tumour pressing on my optic nerves.”
Over the course of 2024, Matthew McBriar underwent more tests leading up to the surgery, which was he said was performed on August 9. While he reassured fans that “the surgery went well” and he was “currently recovering in the hospital,” he shared that recovery would take six to eight weeks followed by untold months of aftercare.
During some of that time, Andrew Ferguson — the other half of the duo — will perform Bicep gigs solo. “Thanks for understanding,” McBriar said toward the end of his statement.
Bicep formed in 2009 and gained significant traction when DJ Mag gave them the “Best of British Breakthrough DJ” award in 2012. Their eclectic blend of house, techno, electro, breakbeat and adjacent styles is exemplified in singles like “Glue,” “Apricots,” and “CHROMA 001 HELIUM.”
We here at EDM Identity wish Matthew McBriar a speedy recovery at this time.
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