Sam Fender is prioritising his mental health by announcing a break from his hectic live show schedule. The Seventeen Going Under hitmaker admitted he and his band are feeling 'burnt out', amid friends' concern for his wellbeing.
Fender thanked his army of dedicated fans and said he was 'eternally overwhelmed' by their love and support. He also expressed his excitement for the Australia leg of the band's tour in November later this year, and St James' Park in Newcastle in 2023.
As reported by Chronicle Live, the superstar has had an absolutely amazing 2022, with big wins at the Brits and NME Awards, a blinding set at Glastonbury, the biggest gig of his career to date at London's Finsbury Park and two back-to-back sell-out shows on home turf at Newcastle's Utilita Arena.
But, just as his gigs at St James' Park next year sparked an online frenzy, with tickets selling out in a matter of minutes for both the first concert on June 9 and the second a day later, Sam took to Instagram on Monday with a candid update for fans about how he's been feeling and how he needs some time off.
Here is his now-viral Instagram post that has garnered over 211,000 likes and thousands of comments.
Posting on his grid North Shields icon Sam wrote: "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 is impossible to do this work on myself while on the road and it's exhausting feigning happiness and wellness for the sake of the business. My friends and colleagues have been worried about me for a while and it's not going to get better unless I take the time to do so."
Sam told his ever growing fanbase that he didn't want to let them down but the state of his wellbeing is beginning to affect everything he does, including his performances.
Saying he refused to go out on stage and give everything at each show, Sam confirmed he'd taken the decision to cancel his three upcoming shows in America and pull out of shows with Florence and the Machine and the Life is Beautiful festival.
He also told fans that rescheduled record stores dates in the UK would no longer be going ahead but assured them he was looking forward to upcoming tours from November onwards. The 28-year-old ended his post: "I can't express how grateful we are to have such an awesome fan base.
"I've met a fair few of you over the years and those encounters have genuinely restored my faith in humanity, you're all sound as f**k. Me and the boys are burnt out and we need this time. Thanks for always sticking by us."
