Sam Fender has cancelled the remainder of his 2025 tour after he haemorrhaged his vocal cord.
The ‘Getting Started’ rocker has been told he must not use his voice for a “prolonged length of time” after causing damage to his right vocal cord, and as a result, he was forced to cancel his concerts in Glasgow on Tuesday (17.12.24) and Newcastle on Friday (20.12.24).
In a social media statement, he said: “Glasgow and Newcastle, as most of you know I’ve had the flu for a few days now. Regardless of how compromised my voice was I did everything I could to get it in working order last night to put on the best show possible.
“Today I’ve had an ENT scope/camera down my throat and sadly I’ve haemorrhaged my right vocal cord, I’m absolutely heartbroken.
“This has been the best tour so far and all I want to do is get up and sing again for you all tonight.
“I’ve had two separate ENT doctors say if I perform tonight I’m risking lasting damage to my voice and I have been advised to be on vocal rest and not use my voice for a prolonged length of time until it heals.”
The 30-year-old guitarist admits he’s been “so unlucky” as he’s been “living like a monk” to be the healthiest he can be on the road.
Promising to reschedule the shows, he concluded: “I’ve done everything by the book this tour living like a monk, it’s so unlucky.
“I’m so, so sorry to all of you who are on your way tonight. We’re trying to figure out a way to reschedule for you all, more news soon. X.”
In September 2022, Sam quit his US tour to look after his mental health.
He said at the time: “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.”
He added that he was “eternally overwhelmed by the love and support of our fans” and said he hated to let them down.
However, “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.”
Sam will release his third album ‘People Watching’ on February 21, 2025.