Inglewood singer The Weeknd halts concert over vocal exhaustion
PUBLISHED May 21, 2026, 10:19 AM ET
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INGLEWOOD, California, recording artist Abel Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd, abruptly halted his sold-out stadium concert at SoFi Stadium on May 21, 2026, about 15 minutes into his set during a stop on his global stadium tour. The performance stopped three songs into the scheduled setlist when Tesfaye walked off stage mid-song during the opening bars of his hit single “Can’t Feel My Face,” leaving the live band to continue playing briefly before the house lights came up. After several minutes, he returned to the stage in civilian clothing with a handheld microphone to address the audience directly and explain the situation. Tesfaye told fans he had already lost his voice during backstage vocal warm-ups but had attempted to start the show anyway, and that his vocal cords seized completely during the opening number, leaving him unable to safely hit the required notes or project over the stadium sound system. He said he could not continue without risking permanent structural vocal damage, apologized to the crowd, and promised full ticket refunds for all attendees. In a subsequent statement on his verified social media accounts, he confirmed that the cancellation was due to acute vocal exhaustion and inflammation, and said tour medical staff had ordered 48 hours of total vocal rest. Representatives for the venue said ticket platforms would automatically process refunds within five business days.
By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Earlier that day, artist completes backstage vocal warm-up
- Opening song begins at SoFi Stadium concert
- Mid-song, The Weeknd leaves stage abruptly
- Minutes later, house lights illuminate confused audience
- Shortly after, singer returns in civilian clothing
- Onstage announcement cites sudden vocal cord seizure
- Later that night, social media statement confirms exhaustion
- Within days, ticketing platforms process automatic refunds
News Intelligence
- If you're a fan of The Weeknd, this is a wake-up call about the physical toll of performing. It's a reminder that even superstars are human and can suffer health issues. Check your favorite artists' social media for health updates before attending concerts.
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