Frank Ocean Cancels All Australian Shows
Splendour headline act pulls the plug
Frank Ocean has cancelled all his Australian shows, promoters Live Nation have announced. He was billed to close Splendour In The Grass' Supertop stage this Sunday.
In an email to theMusic.com.au the promoters said, “Regrettably we can confirm that Frank Ocean's remaining Australian shows have been cancelled. Media release to follow.”
Rumours had swirled earlier this afternoon that he was cancelling his Melbourne show because of sickness.
Booked to play two Melbourne and two Sydney sideshows, as well as close the Splendour In The Grass festival, all of which had sold out, Ocean played just the one show last night at Melbourne's Festival Hall.
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Splendour In The Grass organisers have now commented, “With Splendour already in full swing this is devastating news for the event and will be for many of our patrons. We do want to remind everyone that over 70 of the best acts in the world right now are still here and ready to go including our previously billed mystery band, Alt-J.”
Promoters Paul Piticco and Jessica Ducrou added, “We are totally gutted that Frank can't make it and we know that many of our patrons will be just as disappointed as we are… Our sympathies go to Frank for his illness and also because he's about to miss the best party of the year.”
Live Nation said, "After last night's concert in Melbourne at Festival Hall, it was necessary to seek medical advice due to vocal issues Frank Ocean experienced during the show.
"It has subsequently been confirmed that Frank has suffered a small tear to one of his vocal chords and has received medical advice that he must rest his voice. This makes the completion of his remaining Australian dates impossible.
"Unfortunately due to Frank Ocean's tight tour schedule it is not possible to schedule replacement dates, however we will be working to confirm a return to Australia as soon as is practical.”
TheMusic.com.au's Stephanie Liew reports that Ocean announced early in last night's set that the cold weather had made him sick. His voice cracked a couple of times, and he shied away from many of the big notes, either rearranging the melody, letting the audience take over or singing high parts the octave down.
He left the stage momentarily, saying, “I'll be right back,” before returning with a cup of liquid – spectators closer to the stage allege it was a cup of tea. He appeared to be pained and frustrated at not being able to sing his songs the way he normally would have, and refrained from speaking in between songs. Towards the end of the one-and-a-half hour set his voice was audibly husky and rough.
“I don't wanna speak much tonight but I do wanna thank you guys, you made that a lot easier,” he said. “But I do have to say goodnight.” There was no encore.
Sideshow tickets purchased by credit card will be automatically refunded, while cash and Eftpos refunds are available at point of purchase.
Updated 4.40pm with further Live Nation, Splendour In The Grass quotes.
theMusic.com.au's Splendour In The Grass Coverage
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