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 agree. I don't really blame the artists for crying off - it's probably the fault of the managers and money people treating the artists like performing monkeys and just trying to maximise profit at all costs.

Give them manageable schedules and they'd be more able to cope 🤷‍♀️

I agree. Obviously people can be physically injured or have flu or something that literally prevents them performing, but professionalism, following through on your commitments and the whole 'the show must go on' attitude seems to be fading away.

Having said that, touring is gruelling and you need to have the physical and mental stamina for it. You look back at stars like Madonna and Prince and their touring schedules (and physically demanding performances) and they were absolute machines! But I think you have to 100% want to be the best and have that drive to keep going. In Lewis's case, I don't think that's what he wants or that it would be particularly good for him.

It's noticeable that the posters commenting on Lewis Capaldi didn't have tickets to his tour or watch his documentary. The vast majority of responses to his announcement were caring and supportive. And that was from people who had tickets.
It takes a special kind of person to think 'yy let me jump in here with my hot take when this doesn't affect me at all but it gives me the opportunity to show I have no concern for MH or physical health'.

The one your generation raised you mean.

And how greedy the artist is? After all, it's they who have the choice whether to push themselves and earn a few more million, or to ease back, do fewer tours (or none at all), and have a wealth a few million less, or fewer holiday homes, or fewer cars, boats, or whatever.

I suspect what it actually shows it that the producers and agents don't take into account t that people really can't keep working themselves into the ground and that non stop tours and work commitments aren't sustainable for most performers.

The work should be organised with decent breaks built in throughout, rather than back to back for months.

Less money for the agents I know though.

To be honest I would've agreed as I I tend to thrive under pressure but after having a bit of a breakdown myself last year, it's really out of your control. After years of coping with high level stress, and then a particular set of circumstances came along that I had to deal with, it hit me like a bolt out of the blue and I had to take a week out. I went back to work before I was ready and not feeling myself. It frightened me when my emotions were out of my control. I have never felt like that before and hope I don't again.

Mmm. If he's cancelling because he is unwell then I'm on the fence

It's prioritising Glastonbury over his actual fans that is a wee bit of a piss take

This. That statements fully implies that Glastonbury is his main priority. When frankly he probably wouldn't be missed if he wasn't there. That's what's getting everyone's backs up.

Yet his management STILL went ahead and booked all these appearances which are now being cancelled. Someone in Lewis's family should be advocating for him, or he himself should be telling management that he is prepared to do X and Y, but that A and B are too much.

///

Agree with this

Yes, why can't it be more like the good old days when they tranqed Elvis up to the gills until he dropped dead aged 45?

Oh, and Julie Garland too. Drugged and starved as a child to max profits.

Entertainment is a disgusting industry that treats the talent like a cattle factory. They need to start being more realistic and less punishing with their scheduling.

I'd just like to remind people that the stress related to touring with a severe medical condition is why Ian Curtis committed suicide.

The problem is the music industry overworking musicians. The musician gets blamed and loses the respect and trust of the fans when he/she breaks under pressure imposed by record labels and tour promoters.

I had a similar situation but not as costly a couple of years ago. Booked jason manford tickets for Christmas presents with show due to take place a.week or two after. He cancelled the show because he claimed to be tired and wanted to spend time with his kids. Also something about wanting to be good for the other show. Everyone on social media was on his side but I kept thinking there's my Christmas presents wasted and what about the fact some of us booked those dates because we had also run ourselves into the ground and maybe we needed one evening to do something for ourselves. It was rescheduled nearly a year later and was OK.. wouldn't rebook again its put me off him to be honest.

Its terrible when it happens but again, they cant just cancel gigs because they feel tired. That isnt how it works.

I imagine again something more serious than they want to let on in order to absorb the staggering costs of putting on live performances.

I agree OP! Yes, emergencies happen but if they are legit they should be relatively rare and far between. It seems like as soon as people get some money it feels like "I'm just gonna cancel as I'm tired and not in the mood". Funny how they didnt do that on the way up when they were broke isnt it?

If Lewis is struggling with a mental health illness then taking time off is absolutely the right thing to do. The same as it would be for anyone in any job. Yes, it is unfortunate that people have paid money out some of which they won't get back but IMO the physical and mental health of the artist is the most important thing, making him perform the shows can only have a negative impact on his health, which I'm sure none of his fans would want.

Agree. I couldn’t believe when he wimped out yesterday. If he’s not cut out for the job he needs to quit.

His father is advocating for him, however Lewis puts a silly amount of pressure on himself to meet unrealistic expectations.

Judy Garland is one of the examples I always use too.
Forced on a diet of black coffee and cigarettes. Drugs to put her to sleep and drugs to wake her up and keep her working all day long.

Britney too, forced to perform over and over again when it was clear she was unwell.

How can you say you're a fan of someone if you're prepared to let them suffer for you?

I agree. He’s gone down in my estimation now. Shame.

I understand that Bieber and Miley Cyrus have refused to tour anymore. I don't blame them.
Lewis is probably being pushed too hard. I'd rather an artist cancels than they go to rehab or worse.

I think his statement was wildly misguided, to mention wanting to be on top form for Glastonbury was ridiculous. He is human though and of course he should take time off if he needs to. The issue is greed really. Sure there's not huge money to be made anymore from album sales etc, but do musicians have to be wildly rich for it to be worthwhile to them? Surely a comfortable living is achievable without punishing tour schedules. Greed that is fed by people paying £££s to see their favourite artist live, something that used to be accessible and fairly affordable, its a shame all round to be honest.

Saw the documentary on Katy Perry when she had just received a text message from Russel Brand telling her he wanted a divorce. How she performed I don't know.

To cancel a concert just because you want to is wrong but to cancel for health/mental health is a very good reason. Health comes first.

You reckon Lewis Capaldi is from the snowflake generation, then? 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Well, that's the millennial snowflake for you.