Benson Boone announced via an Instagram Stories post, now expired, that he was forced to cancel his concert at the Utilita Arena Birmingham in England just one hour before the scheduled start due to illness and vocal problems.
“Birmingham, I am so so sorry, but I will not be able to perform tonight,” Boone wrote. “I have tried everything I can to revive my voice, but I cannot give you the show I’d like to be able to give you with the condition of my throat right now.”
The singer added, “This is genuinely the crappiest feeling, I am so sorry. I promise you I will do everything in my power to make it up to you. I’ll update you guys as soon as I can. Thank you for everything you do. I love you guys so much.”
The venue issued a statement confirming it was “working through all possible options to reschedule” the event. An arena representative expressed regret for the late notice and inconvenience, saying, “We understand how disappointing this is and sincerely apologize for the extremely short notice and inconvenience caused,” as reported by BBC.
Benson Boone is currently touring internationally in support of his second studio album, American Heart. He had resumed the tour with a performance in London, the first of three scheduled shows there.
Earlier this year, in an interview with Rolling Stone, Boone discussed his Mormon upbringing and how it influenced his exploration of spirituality beyond organized religion.
“ I don’t want to be a part of one religion, I have my own opinions,” he said. “Some are from this religion, some are from this religion, some are from no religion.”
He also shared the spiritual challenges he faced growing up in the Mormon faith. “Growing up, a lot of people at church would talk about these experiences that they’ve had and these personal revelations and feelings and voice,” Boone explained. “I never felt it as physically present as they did, and so I was always confused and frustrated.”
Boone admitted he was “always scared” to express these feelings to others, fearing he was different. Eventually, he confided in a friend who responded, “Thank goodness. I feel the same way.”
Despite his struggles with Mormonism, Boone maintains a close relationship with his parents. “ My parents definitely have their own views, but when it comes to religion and God, they want me to figure it out on my own,” he said. “And whatever I come to, and whatever I feel is right, that’s what they want for me.”