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Sam Smith cancels shows due to vocal injury
By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 26 May 2023
Sam Smith has cancelled a number of UK shows due to a vocal injury. This follows the abrupt end to their Manchester show on Wednesday, just four songs into the set.
The singer left the stage suddenly at the show on Wednesday and the venue was plunged into darkness, leaving fans in confusion. Said fans were then informed that the show would not continue as Smith had “issues with their voice”.
Smith then said in a statement on Instagram later: “Dearest sailors, I don’t know what to say honestly. I fought off a virus a few weeks ago and since then we have travelled across Europe and had such incredible shows”.
“Today in soundcheck I felt fine and was so excited to give Manchester an amazing show tonight, with a special surprise at the end”, they went on.
“During my third song, I noticed something wrong with my voice. I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but into the fourth song I could feel something was really wrong. I came off the stage and have tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won’t”.
“I’m honestly heartbroken I couldn’t finish the show tonight for you all”, they concluded. “I love you all and I’m sorry I’m sorry”.
It is rumoured that the “special surprise” was a performance with Madonna, Smith having teased a new collaboration with the pop star earlier this week.
This week’s shows in Glasgow and Birmingham were subsequently cancelled, with a statement reading: “Doctors have advised due to a vocal cord injury, Sam must have complete rest”.
“Sam is heartbroken to have had to cancel these shows”, it added, “but they have been told by doctors that if they keep singing they will do permanent damage to their voice. If they take some rest they will be able to perform again”.
Refunds will be available for the Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham shows. Smith is currently due to begin performing again at the Orange Warsaw Festival in Poland on 2 Jun.
