Sam Fender has been forced to quite literally go quiet for the rest of the year.
The English musician has spent most of 2024 preparing himself for another big year in 2025, with the release of his highly-anticipated third album, People Watching, slated to arrive on Feb. 21. With only a couple of shows performed over the past 12 months, Fender launched his People Watching tour earlier this month, playing shows throughout Ireland, England, and Scotland over the past two weeks.
However, with only two shows left of the tour’s current leg, Fender has announced the cancellation of these remaining dates due to health issues which require him to take vocal rest.
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“Glasgow and Newcastle, as most of you know l’ve had the flu for a few days now,” Fender shared on social media on Tuesday (Dec. 17). “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,” he added. “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.”
Though it currently remains to be seen when Fender’s rescheduled dates will take place, he is scheduled to resume touring in March, with dates planned for numerous countries throughout Europe following the release of his forthcoming album.
Fender’s debut album, 2019’s Hypersonic Missiles, charted at No. 12 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, and peaked atop the U.K. Albums charts, as did its follow-up, 2021’s Seventeen Going Under. The latter record was also shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize, alongside records by Harry Styles, Little Simz, and more.
