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25th May 2023

Sam Smith issues apology after Manchester gig ends after just four songs

Jack Peat

Sam Smith

‘I love you all. I am sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry’

Sam Smith has issued an apology after their concert at the AO Arena in Manchester was plunged into darkness after just a few songs on Wednesday night.

Fans took to social media after lights went out at the venue as the performance abruptly stopped after Smith sang their 2017 song Too Good at Goodbyes.

It was confirmed over the tannoy that Smith would not be returning to the stage due to ‘vocal issues’.

https://twitter.com/simonsaysrelax/status/1661467801498910726

‘I noticed something wrong with my voice’ – Sam Smith

Sam Smith issued a statement shortly after coming off stage, insisting they could not go on after noticing “something was really wrong” with their voice.

They explained in the statement: ‘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.

‘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 stage and have tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won’t. I am honestly heartbroken I couldn’t finish the show tonight for you all. I love you all. I am sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.’

The giant gold figure could be seen dimly lit at the back of the stage before it was announced Sam would not be continuing with the gig, disappointing fans who had travelled from as far as China.

Earlier in the day, Sam teased a new collaboration with Madonna in a brief clip on Instagram, with the star insisting they would not end Wednesday’s show with their usual performance of their hit Unholy, suggesting they would debut the new track.

However, the gig did not go on long enough for Sam to perform their expected 21 songs on the night, with the star said to have vanished after their track Too Good at Goodbyes.

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