Chaos as Sam Smith cancels huge concert four songs in

Sam Smith has issued a statement after abruptly walking off stage mid-performance, after conflicting reports sparked frustration among fans.

Sam Smith has cancelled a concert after just three songs.

Fans have been left frustrated and confused after one of Sam Smith’s UK shows was abruptly cancelled after just four songs followed by contradictory explanations.

The Like I Can performer’s gig at Manchester’s AO Arena was plunged into total darkness on Wednesday evening with initial reports circulating of a power cut.

Sam Smith concert at MEN arena has had a power cut everybody in darkness pic.twitter.com/Vaw5luVQQi

— SI (@simonsaysrelax) May 24, 2023

Smith, 31, issued a statement shortly after abruptly coming off stage, insisting “something was really wrong” with their voice which had forced them to end the show early.

“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,” they began.

“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’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Fans shared videos of the chaos on social media. Picture: Twitter

The singer shared a statement following the abrupt cancellation. Picture: Jo Hale/Getty Images

Their explanation came after shocked concertgoers took to Twitter to reveal the baffling series of events prior to the concert’s sudden cancellation.

“Sam Smith announced they was going to sing an extra song at Manchester gig, so stay behind plz,” wrote @blandie.

“Then before 5th song they announced Tina Turner had died hugged (their) singers sat down sang the song for Tina, then after suddenly went off stage, 15mins later the concert was cancelled.”

Fans were reportedly told to return to the foyer as the house lights came back on.

Despite early claims of a technical or power glitch, it was later confirmed over the loudspeaker that Smith was suffering “vocal issues”.

Many fans also pointed out how “triggering” the timing of the incident was, coming just two days after the six-year anniversary of the terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert at the same venue, which left 22 people dead.

Sam smith show in Manchester has been cancelled due to their voice - hope everything is okay @samsmith#samsmith#aoarena#manchesterarenapic.twitter.com/HYP9dIz4JV

— William Byrne 🌹🇪🇺 (@williambyrne_) May 24, 2023

No idea what’s gone on at the Sam Smith concert but if it genuinely is vocal issues I think they need to put out a statement asap. Not fair to cause so much unnecessary worry & anxiety with such a significant week in Manchester

— Becky (@bw91bw) May 24, 2023

I don't think we are being told the truth but we shall see #samsmithpic.twitter.com/RP9IG6UWLP

— Rachael Wharmby (@RachPayne88) May 24, 2023

Really odd night at Sam Smith's Manchester show. Brilliant vocals & great energy for a handful of songs, a promise of an exclusive of a new song at the end. A few songs in, the stage goes black before house lights come up and it's announced that the show's cancelled.

— Pete Allison (@Pete_Allison) May 24, 2023

just seen that Sam Smith cancelled his show tonight after a few songs in Manchester. I’m sorry but hearing about it, it sounds the way it was done could of been triggering for a lot of people there. Hope everyone there is okay, do better Sam and/or his team

— chlo (@_chlo_nicole) May 24, 2023

If Sam Smith cancelled their show tonight due to their voice, surely they should have cancelled it BEFORE, seems insensitive to stop mid show, turn lights on and say there’s issues at an arena where there was a serious terrorist attack, talk about anxiety for the crowd

— SASKIA (@saskia_marriott) May 24, 2023

It’s believed Madonna was supposed to make a surprise appearance later in the show.

Just hours before taking to the stage, Smith shared a teaser clip on social media hinting at their collaboration, with the pair both saying their names in a short video with a black screen.

Smith then encouraged fans to stick around at the end of tonight’s show for a special performance of a brand-new song.

The aborted concert comes after Smith had previously cancelled a string of shows on their tour after falling ill with a mystery sickness.

The singer was forced to postpone their concert in Birmingham and Glasgow.

Ahead of the Glasgow performance, Smith shared the unfortunate news on Instagram that they and their team had felt “really unwell”.

“Myself and a lot of my team have been hit with a virus, that’s made us really unwell,” Smith wrote.

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

“It was also really important to me that we had another date to move this to straight away.

“We will celebrate Gloria together.”