Sam Fender has canceled his upcoming run of U.S. tour dates for mental health reasons.
In a statement posted to his Twitter, the “Seventeen Going Under” artist writes, “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,” Fender continues. “It’s impossible to do this work on myself while on the road, and it’s exhausting feigning happiness and wellness for the sake of 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.”
The affected dates include several headlining shows, as well as gigs opening for Florence + the Machine and a set at the Life Is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas.
“I can’t express how grateful we are to have such an awesome fan base,” Fender writes. “Me and the boys are burnt out and we need this time. Thank you for always sticking by us.”
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