Four-time Grammy Award winner The Weeknd was just a few songs into his second sold-out show in Southern California on Saturday when he abruptly called the whole thing off, explaining that he had lost his voice.
The band began to play “Can’t Feel My Face,” but he remained backstage — coming out only after the song had ended to explain what was happening.
He told the sold out crowd at Inglewood, California’s SoFi Stadium — some 70,000 fans — that at some point during his first two songs of the evening he had strained his vocal chords and that had caused him to lose his voice.
.@TheWeeknd just lost his voice in the middle of a sold out show at SoFi Stadium. Came out and apologized and announced everyone would get their money back and left. pic.twitter.com/En7v16RbwV
— Kenny Holmes (@KHOLMESlive) September 4, 2022
“It’s killing me!” he said, adding, “I can’t give you the concert I want to give you.”
He went on to promise that everyone in the crowd would get their money back for the show — and that he would reschedule the concert for another date when he could perform at the level his fans expected from him.
“I’m going to make sure everyone is good, you’ll get your money back,” he said. “But I’ll do a show real soon for you guys … I personally apologize … I want you guys to know that I can’t give you what I want to give you. I apologize, I’m so sorry. I love you guys so much.”
The Weeknd then stood on the stage, clearly distraught at the thought of canceling, while some of his fans proceeded to boo him from the stands. Some of the other fans cheered and he just nodded his head.
“You know how much this kills me, right?” he asked after a pause. “I love you. Thank you.”
The artist followed his abrupt cancellation with a message to his fans on Twitter.
“My voice went out during the first song and I’m devastated. Felt it go and my heart dropped. I promise I’ll make it up to you with a new date,” the post read.
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) September 4, 2022
The Weeknd’s jam-packed global tour — titled “After Hours Til Dawn” — was already rescheduled twice due to pandemic-related concerns. His third attempt includes a number of stops in Mexico, South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The next scheduled stop will be in Toronto on September 22.
Source: Dailywire
