After criticism over their performance on their 'Gloria the Tour', the 'Unholy' hitmaker's scheduled show in the city is canceled due to 'unforeseen technical and logistical issues.'
- May 6, 2023
AceShowbiz - Sam Smith has pulled the plug on their concert in Tel Aviv, Israel. After backlash over their "satanic" and "vulgar" performance on their "Gloria the Tour", the British singer/songwriter's scheduled show in the city was canceled due to "unforeseen technical and logistical issues."
In a statement on Friday, May 5, the Summer in the City festival organizers announced that there will be no concert taking place on May 31 in Hayarkon Park "including that of Sam Smith." The organizers of the two-day festival added in the statement that "ticket holders are invited to contact their ticket agency to receive a full refund."
"Furthermore, customers who bought tickets for both festival days and choose to keep their tickets for June 1, 2023, will be eligible for a 25% refund on the ticket price, or they can cancel their tickets entirely and receive a full refund," the statement continued.
Robbie Williams is set to headline the June 1 show. It will also feature performances from artists such as Static, Callum Scott and Martin Garrix.
The cancellation came after Sam drew criticism over their performance at his "Gloria the Tour" show, which was kicked off on April 12 in Sheffield. On his tour, the Grammy Award winner, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, featured religious imagery and dressed in a series of racy looks. The "Unholy" hitmaker additionally wore red devil horns, sheer veils and wire crowns before changing into nipple tassels and fishnets.
Internet users quickly expressed their opinion against the performance with Oli London among the critics. "Last night Sam Smith performed a satanic show filled with sexual references, fetish gear, a strip tease and a grotesque imitation of sex acts on stage while children were in the audience," the 33-year-old tweeted. "On stage he performed a strip routine while in fetish gear. Is this appropriate for kids?"
"[Sam Smith] is a disgusting satanic pervert. Any serious society would give this demon the Old Yeller treatment," one other commented. A third critic said, "This whole performance is satanic!"
