To think concert cancelling has become far too prevalent

[MXVIT]

and I think its a terrible precedent to have been set

I am probably just an unfeeling wench but I think it is dreadful how easy this has become to do, Lewis Capaldi taking three weeks off to be "Lewis from Glasgow" again bascially saying "I know you've forked out on hotels and travel, and thanks, but sorry"

For me it just shows a huge disrespect to fans. When you're a rich and famous star (all from the hard earned money from your fans) and all of the luxury that that life affords - you don't get to turn it on and off, and I'm sorry, but you don't get to put yourself first 100% of the time. Thats the trade off.

I would never buy tickets to concerts again after the spate of this happening. Adele, Sam Smith, Lewis etc.

AIBU ?

I sort of agree.
I think these things should be better thought through and planned with this kind of possibility in mind.
Its become clear over the last few months that Lewis needs down time and to be careful of burnout. This must have already been know so why fix a schedule that was inevitably going to lead to him needing time off.
Only book things you believe you can actually do.

"This must have already been know so why fix a schedule that was inevitably going to lead to him needing time off."

@Smartiepants79 - greed.

Yes and no. Obviously if they can't physically or mentally perform for whatever reason, then they have to cancel. I think show business is probably a horrible industry where the pressure to be perfect all the time is overwhelming. That's why so many "celebs" go off the rails, end up addicted to drink or drugs or both. Yes they have money and plenty of it, but at the cost of having a "normal" life. Not saying I feel sorry for them or anything because I don't, but us normal folk probably have no idea what it's like to be a cash cow for people. Because that is basically what they are - cash cows for their management, their agents, record labels etc.

I am probably just an unfeeling wench but I think it is dreadful how easy this has become to do, Lewis Capaldi taking three weeks off to be "Lewis from Glasgow" again bascially saying "I know you've forked out on hotels and travel, and thanks, but sorry"

Yes, I think that's a pish-poor excuse.

Completely agree. And it is always the snowflake generation too. Considering the astronomical cost of tickets these days too it's extremely selfish behaviour that shows no respect to the fans who have enabled them to get where they are.

I totally agree. Tickets are unbelievably expensive, travel can cost a fortune.

It sounds as though he was having mental health issues. He's right to take time off as anyone should if they are unwell

It's not unreasonable to need a break or get burnt out, but I think the way Lewis phrased it as wanting to be on top form for Glasto was off. He should have just said he needs a mental health break.

Im a big Lewis fan and I just wonder why, when it's clear he struggles with his mental health and has Tourettes/tics on stage every night why do they plan so much for him? Surely better to keep it light and then take on more if he can.

It's tricky because the only way artists make big £££ these days is through touring. So they're under pressure to tour more especially after releasing a new album, and because it all costs a lot they need to do dates closer together etc. And they should be able to look after their MH as much as the next person. But agree there needs obviously to be a balance and smaller tours or with more breaks.

I also think the message that he will be at Glastonbury but not at his own tour is a bit shit. Most people at glasto wouldn't miss him.

I think its record companies and management I think touring every album and non stop probably takes it's toll and they burn out. I think lewis Is quite vulnerable and non stop promoting of albums is detrimental to his health. Record companies want their money! Saying that yes it's a total pain and fans are losing out on money and time it's ridiculous.

You have said what I was going to say. I feel him saying he wants to be ok for Glastonbury is disrespectful to his other fans who have bought tickets to his concerts.

No I don’t think it’s particularly prevalent or easy to do. These events have so many agreements and contracts in place, a lot of people, not just fabs with tickets, lose out on money when an event is cancelled.
There will be a lot of pressure to keep to scheduled dates.

I imagine in this case this reason is a euphemism for a mental breakdown of sorts.

I really am unfeeling because my natural response to "lewis is vulnerable, prone to this" etc is - simple solution to that, quit, which I would say to anyone not cut out for what theyre doing. - and forgo all the luxuries and privilege it affords.

He’s not just having a few weeks off because he fancies it though is he? If his mental health is that bad then he absolutely should cancel. And yes it’s greed - but unlikely the performers greed - the greed of the massive industry surrounding them all. Was talking to my DH last night about how the music industry and the musicians are just not how they used to be. DH is a fair bit older then me and he recalled that when he was a student The Who (they were huge at the time) just asked him and a couple of friends to ‘protect’ the front of stage at one of their gigs. Him and his mates then got to spend time together with the band afterwards as a thank you. And they weren’t the only band he got up close to around the same time. Wouldn’t ever happen like that now, the ‘asset’ is kept well away from the great unwashed and must stay on the treadmill at all costs - until something dire happens. I doubt any major star, right up to Beyoncé and the like, are actually in control of themselves, the great monolith surrounding them is in charge.

I think touring takes a big toll on people and unfortunately sometimes they burn out and they/their people overestimate what they can comfortably do. I think it’s awful for the fans who have paid for hotels etc and are excited, but also I understand the artists need to put their health first.

I understand it’s a relatively recent thing but perhaps if artists from the past hadn’t pushed through tours they were struggling with, then maybe there would have been fewer ODs, breakdowns, amphetamine use which lead to some of their deaths.

But I don’t blame anyone who feels let down or disappointed by cancellation.

I don't think anyone can plan when their mental health may take over, it doesn't mean they can't do their job. He is a good performer and obviously needs this break.

There is not much else someone could do if they really can't go forward.

At least he's given a bit of notice some artists have cancelled after fans arrived before. Morgan Wallen in the us did this not so long ago.

If you’re going to see a solo performer there’s always a risk of cancellation. Health issues - voice, mental health etc. The Adele thing in Vegas was not handled well but anyone who likes Lewis Capaldi enough to see him in concert knows that he has health issues. I’d also imagine that every artist you’ve mentioned has gone on stage and performed when they were struggling physically and/or mentally and it would’ve been better for their wellbeing to cancel because they don’t ‘put …( themselves) first 100% of the time.’

Not being well in the environment you are working in doesn't mean you aren't "cut out" for something or that the only option should be to quit.

Do you not agree with employment laws at all? Do you not think people should be supported in the workplace, say during illness or pregnancy?

Is it only different when it's self employed? Or do normal working parameters stop mattering when you earn over a certain amount?

At the end of the day a great many people clearly came to the joint decision that LC couldn't perform these shows. LC doesn't call the shots, it will not just be his decision.

I do think there should definitely be better planning. Piling a huge amount of concerts in a short space of time would physically and mentally exhaust anyone, never mind people suffering from physical or mental illnesses!

I do however feel that nowadays performing artists don't really get down time. Yes there has always been paparazzi but the amount of people ready and willing to capture a glimpse of them at any given moment has increased, so they are never "off". That has to take it's toll.

I know it's annoying but it's the fault of greedy managers. I'd rather they cancelled than be pumped full of recreational drugs to get through which is what had been happening.

Yep, this. He's not even a main headliner at Glasto is he, he just has a teatime slot on the Saturday and is just one of dozens of acts on multiple different stages. Putting that above fans who have come to see him specifically is pretty off, and very disrespectful. If that wasn't the real reason, he should have said.

I agree with you. If you have mental health problems only take on a light load. I understand there’s huge pressure from management, but it’s very disrespectful to the fans who have spent lots of hard earned money on travel and hotels.

I feel for Lewis Capaldi, he does seem vulnerable and doesn't really seem to have appropriate support at 'work' if he is being pushed too hard.

That said I feel like the wording of his cancellation was really poor. I can't imagine many people have bought Glastonbury tickets purely to see him, but everyone who bought tickets to his own actual tour has. So it's pretty rubbish to imply to his own fans that performing at Glastonbury is more important than performing for them.

I think it's probably the pressure from the record company to do a lot of touring and the only way the artist can have any control is to sign up to it and tour until they are physically/mentally unwell.