The key facts

  • MNEK cancelled a UK and Europe tour in support of the album Bulldozer!! due to low ticket sales and high production costs
  • The artist said he does not want to tour unless he can do the show 'properly'; tickets will be refunded
  • This is part of a broader trend: earlier, the Pussycat Dolls cancelled almost the entire US leg of their reunion tour

Tour cancellation

Grammy-nominated British artist MNEK (real name Uzoechi Emenike, 31) has cancelled a series of concerts across the UK and Europe scheduled for next month in support of his new album Bulldozer!!. In a statement on Instagram, he explained the decision by insufficient ticket sales and the fact that the show was 'not ready to the standard' he wanted. According to him, he is joining other artists who have recently cancelled performances due to 'high production costs' and 'over-ambitious planning'. Tickets cost from around £30.

The artist's words

MNEK wrote that he was 'really looking forward' to performing with the new album, but 'has no interest in doing this tour if I can't do it properly'. He thanked fans who bought tickets, promised a speedy refund, and said he would try to stage the tour when he can put on the show fans 'deserve'.

Support from colleagues

Fellow artists offered support in the comments: Zara Larsson, whose album Midnight Sun MNEK executive produced, Little Mix member Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and also Becky Hill, who remarked: 'Touring is devastatingly expensive, but you'll find a way'.

Context: the touring cost crisis

The BBC notes a growing number of artists complaining about a 'touring cost crisis' due to rising prices. Earlier this year, Featured Artists Coalition chairman and Blur drummer David Rowntree told the BBC that it is now 'virtually impossible to make touring self-sustaining'. Also this year, The Pussycat Dolls cancelled almost the entire US leg of their reunion tour due to weak ticket sales.

About the artist

MNEK was born in south-east London and became a professional songwriter at 14, signing his first publishing deal. He wrote for The Saturdays and Little Mix, and later received credits on tracks by Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Christina Aguilera. His first Grammy nomination came in 2014 for the track Need U (100%) with Duke Dumont and A*M*E; this year he is nominated in the best dance pop recording category for his work on Midnight Sun. His debut studio album Language was released in 2018, and the second one, Bulldozer!!, only last month, eight years later.

MNEK wears a red leather jacket over a grey shirt with a red leather tie. He has short cropped yellow hair.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

MNEK has worked with major artists including Beyoncé and Zara Larsson

MNEK sings into a microphone while performing on stage. He wears a red top with a muscular body printed on it and has yellow hair.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The artist has been nominated for two Grammy Awards

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