“I am incredibly grateful and happy”: Bicep’s Matt McBriar undergoes surgery to remove a brain tumor
Matt McBriar, one half of the dance duo Bicep, has undergone surgery to remove a “large and quite rare” brain tumor.
The Belfast-born producer underwent surgery last Friday (August 9). The good news is that everything went well and he is currently recovering in hospital.
In a social media post, he explained that he was first made aware of the problem late last year. “Towards the end of 2023, I started experiencing some severe localized headaches coupled with a strange fatigue that felt new,” the producer said. “In the spring of 2024, I did several blood tests that suggested something was wrong, so my GP ordered an MRI followed by a CT scan.”
At this stage, a craniopharyngioma was discovered. Much to his relief, it was not cancer and, because it was discovered early, it could be operated on. “I was very lucky to have those initial blood tests and then an MRI. If it had been much longer ago, I might have lost some vision and had a lot of other problems due to the size and position of the tumor pressing on my optic nerves.”
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During this time, McBriar decided to continue working as more of a distraction. His recovery from the surgery will take between six and eight weeks and will require some follow-up care. “I’m incredibly grateful and lucky,” he added.
He also paid tribute to all the NHS staff who have cared for him: “The support I have received has been incredible, I can’t say it enough. Appointments have sometimes been made just hours in advance and communication has been incredibly quick and direct. Our health system is very valuable and worth fighting for!”
In the meantime, his bandmate Andrew Ferguson will be flying the Bicep flag alone. Bicep will play Creamfields on August 22nd and have dates planned across North America in September.
The duo have been one of the leading names in British dance music for over a decade. Originally from Northern Ireland but now based in London, they signed to Ninja Tune in 2017 and released two albums: their self-titled debut and 2021’s acclaimed ‘Isles’, which reached number two on the album charts.
