Sam Smith had a very special show in store for fans in Manchester, UK on Wednesday night (May 24). promising before gig that “we’ve got a surprise for you tonight… ‘Unholi’ won’t be the last song.” Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan and the singer had to cut short the gig at Manchester’s AO Arena after just four songs.
“Dear Sailors, I don’t know what to say honestly. I battled a virus a few weeks ago and since then we have traveled all over Europe and done such incredible shows,” Smith wrote in an Instagram Story. Wrote about the issues, who came on tour in support of them. Gloria album. “I was feeling fine at the soundcheck today and very excited to give Manchester an amazing show tonight, with a special surprise at the end.”
But, during the third song, Smith said, “I noticed something was wrong with my voice. I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but in the fourth song I felt something was really wrong. I came off stage and tried everything possible to get my voice loud again but it didn’t happen. To be honest I’m heartbroken I couldn’t finish the show tonight for all of you. Love everyone. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry X.”
A fan described the night in an essay for manchester evening news, writing that they expected to see what they read was an elaborate production in three acts. The set opened with “Stay With Me”, followed by “I’m Not the Only One” and “Dancing with a Stranger”.
The fan wrote, “During the song, Sam is relaxed, happy and genuinely looks like he’s loving life.” “His vibes were rubbing off on everyone else, and the whole room was filled with love. Everything seemed to be going just fine. Which is why it was such a shock when the songs came to an abrupt halt, with an overhead tannoy citing ‘technical difficulties’.
She wrote that fans were initially not sure what was happening, but after 15 minutes they were told that the house lights would be coming on, as fans began to make their way to the exits. “We sat for ten minutes hoping for good news, but Tannoy informed us that the show was canceled due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’,” she wrote.
Smith’s European tour continues on Thursday night (25 May) with a show in Glasgow at the OVO Hydro. On Thursday morning the venue announced that the gig, along with a show in Birmingham on Saturday (27 May), had been cancelled, with refunds for all three shows available at the point of purchase. “Sam is heartbroken to have these shows cancelled, but he has been told by doctors that if he continues to sing, he will risk permanent damage to his voice. If he gets some rest, he will be able to perform again.” The next scheduled show on the tour is in Tel Aviv, Israel on 31 May.
The bad news came as Smith teased a mystery collaboration with Madonna earlier in the day on Wednesday. No additional information had been released about what the project is at press time.
See Smith’s statement below.
