Latest news with #MercuryPrize
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mercury Prize-winning British singer cancels all upcoming gigs on advice from doctors due to 'continued illness' as devastated fans send well wishes
British singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has cancelled all of his upcoming gigs due to 'continued illness'. The Mercury Prize winner, 38, took to Instagram on Monday to share the news that he would be unable to perform for several months. In a statement, Michael revealed he had been suffering from a mystery illness and on the advice of doctors had been told he could not perform. Over the festival season, Michael has taken to the stage twice in Spain in recently, at Bilbao BBK Live and Primavera Sound. But he revealed on Monday that his upcoming gigs, which included UK festivals Victorious and We Out Here and Budapest's Sziget Festival are cancelled. Taking to Instagram, a statement announcing the cancellation read: 'We are so sorry to announce that due to continued illness, and on the advice of doctors, Michael will sadly be unable to perform at the rest of his scheduled festival performances throughout the rest of the summer and the shows in North America in October (including the support tour with Mumford & Sons. 'We know this is disappointing news to hear, and nobody is more disappointed and saddened than Michael to no longer be taking to the stage as planned. 'Love and thanks to everyone for their understanding.' Fans were quick to comment their well wishes under the singer-songwriter's most recent post. They wrote: 'Hi Michael!! We're praying for your recovery and full ability to continue to do what you are so amazing at. Really sad not to be able to see you in October here in NYC,'; 'I'm praying for your recovery, Michael! I hope you're 100% soon!'; 'Praying for you brother, take your time and heal well,'; 'I wish for your recovery. I wish for you to be on stage again, one day. Let it be that way. ❤️,'; 'Get well @michaelkiwanuka,'; 'Get better soon man.' Michael was revealed as the 2020 Mercury Prize winner for his self-titled third album. Fans were quick to comment their well wishes under the singer-songwriter's most recent post The singer's success was announced live on The One Show on Thursday, with Annie Mac telling him the news before he was interviewed by Alex Jones and Amol Rajan. Expressing his delight, Michael said: 'This is ridiculous, it's crazy! I'm so happy. Third time's a charm... I'm so excited - this is for art, for music, for albums. 'This is the only thing I've ever wanted to do so to win a Mercury is a dream come true. I'm so happy. 'Music and art means so much to me and this is an award that celebrates that so I'm over the moon.' Michael went up against musicians including Charli XCX, Dua Lipa and Stormzy for the 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize for Album of the Year award. Discussing his self-titled album at the time, Michael said: 'My name means a lot to me, it's my heritage and who I am. And that's something I want to be loud and proud about.' While speaking about his impressive win, the singer also revealed that he's often felt a little bit of 'imposter syndrome' in the past. He explained that this has: 'Taken things away from my dream job, so I made the decision when making this album to really show myself and be as clear as I can be. And turning his attention to the future, Mercury prize winner Michael said that he wants to continue creating. He said: 'I hope to continue making records, albums, and making music which can connect with as many people as possible. Hopefully this is an award that can do that... and will be music that can help people through their day.' During his interview Michael was asked what his name means, leaving him a little bit flustered as he joked: 'I don't know what it means! Someone's got to Google it.. my cousin's going to be "like what!?" after this.' The judging panel said Kiwanuka was 'the well deserved winner' and praised the record for being its thoughtful and timely content. They said: 'Classic yet contemporary, drawing on the history of music while remaining an intensely personal work of self expression, this is an album that will stand the test of time.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Award-winning Brit singer leaves fans devastated as he cancels string of festival appearances and gigs
MERCURY Prize-winning star Michael Kiwanuka has cancelled a string of tour dates after struggling with illness. The talented singer-songwriter, whose critically-acclaimed fourth album, Small Changes, was released last year, issued a statement on social media. Advertisement 3 Michael Kiwanuka has cancelled all scheduled tour dates Credit: Getty 3 His team issued this statement on his official channels It read: 'We are so sorry to announce that due to continued illness, and on the advice of doctors, Michael will sadly be unable to perform at the rest of his scheduled festival performances throughout the rest of the summer and the shows in North America in October (including the support tour with Mumford & Sons. 'We know this is disappointing news to hear, and nobody is more disappointed and saddened than Michael to no longer be taking to the stage as planned. 'Love and thanks to everyone for their understanding.' Devastated fans shared their concern for married dad-of-two Michael, 38, on a fan forum. Advertisement READ MORE ON MICHAEL KIWANUKA One person wrote: "I hope this isn't serious, cancelling a large chunk of shows can't be an easy decision." Another said: "Hope he's okay… cancelling weouthere headline slot must have been heartbreaking for him.. sending love." A third posted: "Sad to hear. I hope he recovers from whatever it is and gets back on stage in the near future ." The soulful crooner arrived on the national stage in 2011 when he won the BBC 's coveted 'Sound of' award. Advertisement Most read in Music Latest His debut album, Home Again, kept the momentum going and he was nominated for a Brit Award, the Mercury Prize and Mobo Awards to name but a few. Second album, Love & Hate, topped the charts in the UK, while third record, Kiwanuka, was nominated for a Grammy. It also saw him take home the prestigious Mercury Prize, beating industry heavyweights Michael Kiwanuka - The Rest Of Me 'You don't make albums for the awards but, when they come, it's massive ." He continued: 'Getting those landmarks, like a Grammy nom or a Mercury win are important. It's a good marker for that connection which every artist wants to do if they're being honest. Advertisement "I liken it to being a kid in the playground and no kid in that playground will say, 'I don't want to make any friends.'' 3 The singer's latest album, Small Changes, was released last year Credit: Getty Michael Kiwanuka's cancelled tour dates All Together Now Co Waterford, IE - 3 Aug Sziget Festival Budapest, HU - 8 Aug Bonus Parkorman Istanbul, TK - 10 Aug Pukkelpop Festival Hasselt, BE - 15 Aug We Out Here Dorset, UK - 17 Aug Victorious Festival Portsmouth, UK - 22 Aug Massey Hall Toronto, CA - 4 Oct Beacon Theatre New York, US - 6 Oct United Center Chicago, US - 8 Oct Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, US - 9 Oct Fiserv Forum Milwaukee, US - 11 Oct Nationwide Arena Columbus, US - 12 Oct Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, US - 14 Oct KeyBank Center Buffalo, US - 16 Oct Bell Centre Montreal, CA - 17 Oct PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh, US - 19 Oct Little Caesars Arena Detroit, US - 20 Oct
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Award-winning Brit singer leaves fans devastated as he cancels string of festival appearances and gigs
He was set to support a huge band in America in October OFF STAGE Award-winning Brit singer leaves fans devastated as he cancels string of festival appearances and gigs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MERCURY Prize-winning star Michael Kiwanuka has cancelled a string of tour dates after struggling with illness. The talented singer-songwriter, whose critically-acclaimed fourth album, Small Changes, was released last year, issued a statement on social media. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Michael Kiwanuka has cancelled all scheduled tour dates Credit: Getty 3 His team issued this statement on his official channels It read: 'We are so sorry to announce that due to continued illness, and on the advice of doctors, Michael will sadly be unable to perform at the rest of his scheduled festival performances throughout the rest of the summer and the shows in North America in October (including the support tour with Mumford & Sons. 'We know this is disappointing news to hear, and nobody is more disappointed and saddened than Michael to no longer be taking to the stage as planned. 'Love and thanks to everyone for their understanding.' Devastated fans shared their concern for married dad-of-two Michael, 38, on a fan forum. One person wrote: "I hope this isn't serious, cancelling a large chunk of shows can't be an easy decision." Another said: "Hope he's okay… cancelling weouthere headline slot must have been heartbreaking for him.. sending love." A third posted: "Sad to hear. I hope he recovers from whatever it is and gets back on stage in the near future." The soulful crooner arrived on the national stage in 2011 when he won the BBC's coveted 'Sound of' award. His debut album, Home Again, kept the momentum going and he was nominated for a Brit Award, the Mercury Prize and Mobo Awards to name but a few. Second album, Love & Hate, topped the charts in the UK, while third record, Kiwanuka, was nominated for a Grammy. It also saw him take home the prestigious Mercury Prize, beating industry heavyweights Charli XCX, Stormzy and Dua Lipa. Michael Kiwanuka - The Rest Of Me In an interview with The Sun last year, he humbly said: 'You don't make albums for the awards but, when they come, it's massive." He continued: 'Getting those landmarks, like a Grammy nom or a Mercury win are important. It's a good marker for that connection which every artist wants to do if they're being honest. "I liken it to being a kid in the playground and no kid in that playground will say, 'I don't want to make any friends.'' 3 The singer's latest album, Small Changes, was released last year Credit: Getty
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Award-winning Brit singer leaves fans devastated as he cancels string of festival appearances and gigs
MERCURY Prize-winning star Michael Kiwanuka has cancelled a string of tour dates after struggling with illness. The talented singer-songwriter, whose critically-acclaimed fourth album, Small Changes, was released last year, issued a statement on social media. 3 It read: 'We are so sorry to announce that due to continued illness, and on the advice of doctors, Michael will sadly be unable to perform at the rest of his scheduled festival performances throughout the rest of the summer and the shows in North America in October (including the support tour with Mumford & Sons. 'We know this is disappointing news to hear, and nobody is more disappointed and saddened than Michael to no longer be taking to the stage as planned. 'Love and thanks to everyone for their understanding.' Devastated fans shared their concern for married dad-of-two Michael, 38, on a fan forum. One person wrote: "I hope this isn't serious, cancelling a large chunk of shows can't be an easy decision." Another said: "Hope he's okay… cancelling weouthere headline slot must have been heartbreaking for him.. sending love." A third posted: "Sad to hear. I hope he recovers from whatever it is and gets back on stage in the near future." The soulful crooner arrived on the national stage in 2011 when he won the BBC's coveted 'Sound of' award. His debut album, Home Again, kept the momentum going and he was nominated for a Brit Award, the Mercury Prize and Mobo Awards to name but a few. Second album, Love & Hate, topped the charts in the UK, while third record, Kiwanuka, was nominated for a Grammy. It also saw him take home the prestigious Mercury Prize, beating industry heavyweights Charli XCX, Stormzy and Dua Lipa. Michael Kiwanuka - The Rest Of Me In an interview with The Sun last year, he humbly said: 'You don't make albums for the awards but, when they come, it's massive." He continued: 'Getting those landmarks, like a Grammy nom or a Mercury win are important. It's a good marker for that connection which every artist wants to do if they're being honest. "I liken it to being a kid in the playground and no kid in that playground will say, 'I don't want to make any friends.'' 3 Michael Kiwanuka's cancelled tour dates All Together Now Co Waterford, IE - 3 Aug Sziget Festival Budapest, HU - 8 Aug Bonus Parkorman Istanbul, TK - 10 Aug Pukkelpop Festival Hasselt, BE - 15 Aug We Out Here Dorset, UK - 17 Aug Victorious Festival Portsmouth, UK - 22 Aug Massey Hall Toronto, CA - 4 Oct Beacon Theatre New York, US - 6 Oct United Center Chicago, US - 8 Oct Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, US - 9 Oct Fiserv Forum Milwaukee, US - 11 Oct Nationwide Arena Columbus, US - 12 Oct Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, US - 14 Oct KeyBank Center Buffalo, US - 16 Oct Bell Centre Montreal, CA - 17 Oct PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh, US - 19 Oct Little Caesars Arena Detroit, US - 20 Oct
Rhyl Journal
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Singer Olivia Dean: I feel very comfortable by myself
Dean, who recently collaborated with Sam Fender on his song Rein Me in, said she is still getting used to being recognised when she is out in public. In an interview with Elle UK, she spoke of her trip to Thailand. Dean said: 'We did a show there in February and went to a bar afterward. The band was playing my track, Dive. I was like: 'No way! This is crazy. I'm in a bar in Bangkok and they're doing a cover of my song.'' The singer, whose debut album Messy was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2023, said she has become 'protective' of herself in recent years. 'I don't take any shit from people,' she told the magazine. 'Definitely not as much as I would have done when I was younger. I know my worth and how I deserve to be loved. I have no time for bullshit.' Describing the inspiration behind her next album, Dean added: 'Love is something that can feel quite mystical. It's this thing we all crave but aren't taught how to do it properly. Why don't we have a module at school? 'So, the album was just me zooming into that and looking at the last two years of my life and everything I've learned until now.' But Dean, who wrote the song It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be for the Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy soundtrack, said she feels 'very comfortable by myself and don't feel like I need to be in a relationship to survive'. 'It should be additional as opposed to filling an absence,' she added. Dean, who appears on a special digital cover of Elle UK, told the magazine: 'I try to work with as many women as possible because I feel comfortable in that space. 'Feminism to me is about being equal – and I've always felt completely equal to men.'
