British artist Sam Fender cancels North American tour after his mental health nosedived

Sam Fender cancelled a number of upcoming US headline gigs to focus on his mental health. 

The 28-year-old rising star was set to perform in Seattle, Portland and Vancouver this month before supporting British band Florence and the Machine at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

But the Geordie singer-songwriter pulled out of the remaining dates after his mental health nosedived while his friends and colleagues were worried about his wellbeing.  

He said: ‘It seems completely hypocritical of me to advocate discussion on mental health and write songs about it if I don’t take the time to look after my own mental health.

‘I’ve neglected myself for over a year now and haven’t dealt with things that have deeply affected me.

‘It’s impossible to do this work on myself while on the road, and it’s exhausting feigning happiness and wellness for the sake of business.’

Fender told Twitter and Instagram he was ‘eternally overwhelmed by the love and support of our fans’ and was upset to let them down. 

Legendary: The historic Seattle Theatre in the US. The 28-year-old rising star was set to perform in there as well as in Portland and Vancouver this month before supporting British band Florence and the Machine at New York City’s Madison Square Garden

The North Shields artist previously said the name second album Seventeen Going Under was influenced by his mental health struggles and his therapy sessions.

On social media he added: ‘The state of my wellbeing is starting to affect everything I do, including my performances (and) I refuse to go out there and not give it my all EVERY time, as you all deserve nothing less’.

The singer-songwriter said his future UK record store dates would not go ahead but aimed to ‘work something out’ for ticket holders. 

Fender said he was ‘super excited’ to play Australia in late November and ‘everything to come in 2023’ as he expected his scheduled show at St James Park, Newcastle, to be ‘f****** unbelievable’.

Stunning the crowd: Sam Fender performs on the Pyramid stage in June. He promised fans he will be back and said he was ‘super excited’ for his blockbuster show at St James Park in the North East

He went on in his post, on a black background with white text: ‘I can’t express how grateful we are to have such an awesome fan base. I’ve met a fair few of you over the years and those encounters have genuinely restored my faith in humanity, you’re all sound as f***. Me and the boys are burnt out and need this time. Thank you for always sticking by us.’

Among the flood of support in his comments section was a message from Gwyneth Paltrow, 49, who said: ‘This is beautiful. We (heart emoji) you. Look after yourself.’

Fender supported mental health awareness through his music and told NME in 2018 about addressing his struggles in his first-album single Dead Boys. 

Dapper: The singer-songwriter (pictured) smartened up for a slew of music award ceremonies. However the Geordie artist recently said his future UK record store dates would not go ahead but aimed to ‘work something out’ for ticket holders

He said: ‘I remember specifically for me as a kid growing up or as a young teenager if I ever cried or got upset in front of anybody, I would be so humiliated.

‘I’d be so angry with myself for being upset and then it would just become this catch 22 situation.

‘It’s that attitude that stops men from talking and stops men from being like able to turn to each other. Me and my mates are very, very close.

‘Men just need to be open and not emasculate one another.’