Sam Smith issues heartfelt apology as they cancel gig after four songs

Sam Smith has apologized to fans after suddenly canceling his concert at Manchester’s AO Arena after just a few songs on Wednesday.

The singer, 31, released a statement shortly after coming off stage indicating they were unable to continue after noticing there was “something really wrong” with their voice.

Fans took to social media as they left the venue after the audience was briefly plunged into darkness and the performance abruptly stopped after Sam performed their 2017 song Too Good at Goodbyes.

It was confirmed during the broadcast that Sam would not be returning to the stage due to ‘vocal issues’, with Sam previously canceling a series of shows after falling ill with a mysterious illness.

Sam stated in their statement, ‘Dear sailors, I don’t know what to say honestly. I battled a virus a few weeks ago and since then we’ve toured Europe and had such incredible shows.

“During sound check today I felt fine and was so excited to give Manchester a great show tonight, with a special surprise at the end.

“During my third song 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 the stage and tried everything to get my voice back into gear, but it didn’t work.

“I’m really heartbroken that I couldn’t finish the show tonight for all of you.

I love you all. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry x.’

The giant golden figure was seen dimly lit at the back of the stage before it was announced that Sam would not be continuing the performance, disappointing fans who had even traveled from China.

Earlier in the day, Sam teased a new collaboration with Madonna in a short clip on Instagram, with the star insisting that they wouldn’t end Wednesday’s show with their usual performance of their hit song Unholy, suggesting that they should play the new song would debut.

However, the gig didn’t last long enough for Sam to perform their expected 21 songs on the night, and the star is said to have disappeared after their song Too Good at Goodbyes.

One person wrote on Twitter after leaving the arena, “No I can’t believe the people behind us had traveled all the way from China to see Sam Smith and he canceled four songs, that has got to be the most brutal thing ever are. ‘

While someone else shared: ‘Really weird night at the Sam Smith show in Manchester. Brilliant vocals & great energy for a handful of songs, a promise of an exclusive new song at the end. After a few songs, the stage goes black before the lights come on in the house and the show is canceled.’

Another person posted, ‘Sam Smith’s concert started INCREDIBLE as bang after bang and then everything stopped, eventually they canceled. I’m so damn sad.’

And another music lover wrote: ‘Absolutely gutted that Sam Smith canceled..but still had such a good night and they sounded INCREDIBLE at what they sang!!’

“I hope it gets moved. It’s not the artist’s fault when it comes to health issues, but the time, money, and planning some fans spend to get to or travel to one of these shows is extraordinary. Of course this would happen to poor Sam in the UK!!!” someone else shared.

While another fan wrote, “Too Good at Goodbyes was the last song and they jumped off the stage and never came back with the irony,” adding, “‘Unholy won’t be the last song tonight,’ I mean, they weren’t kidding, but only because they played… 4 songs.’

‘So Sam Smith really is way too good at saying goodbye, got out after 4 songs! Wtf,” someone else joked.

Just hours before they take the stage, a teaser clip was posted on Sam’s Instagram page hinting at a collaboration with Madonna.

A short video started with a black screen before Sam’s voice cut out and said, “Sam and…”

Madonna’s whispered voice could then be heard saying her name.

Their words were written on the screen in bold white letters as they spoke.

Sam did not caption the clip and no further details about their collaboration were announced.

Pop star Sam recently had to cancel a series of shows after falling ill with a mysterious illness.

They canceled two performances last month after being stricken with the disease.

At the time, Sam took to their Instagram Stories to tell fans that they wouldn’t be able to perform at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham because they weren’t good enough, postponing the show until this month.

Just days earlier, Sam had pulled out of performing at the OVO Hydro Arena in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

Sam announced: ‘Sailors, I’m sorry to let you know that my team and I are still not well, so unfortunately we have to move our show in Birmingham to 27th May 2023.

“It’s so important to me that we give you the very best version of Gloria. I don’t want you to experience it for less.

“Thank you so much for your understanding, I know how excited everyone is to see the show, and I feel the same way when I see you all.

All previous tickets are still valid for the new date. For more information, visit my website www.samsmithworld.com. All my love, Sam X.”

Before the gig in Glasgow, Sam explained how they and their team had been feeling ‘very unwell’.

Sam wrote on Instagram: ‘Sailors, I’m sorry to say so, but we have to move the Glasgow show to May 25, 2023.

‘Myself and a large part of my team have been affected by a virus, which has really made us unwell.

“I want to give you the best version of Gloria de Tour and at the moment that’s not possible.

“It was also very important to me that we had another date to move this to immediately.

‘We’re going to celebrate Gloria together!! All previous tickets are still valid for the new date. For more information, visit my website www.samsmithworld.com. All my love, Sam.’