Brit singers Amy Winehouse and Lilly Allen have both announced the cancellation of upcoming concert dates. Winehouse, whose label cites “ongoing health issues,” has pulled out of the V Festival this weekend in the U.K., while Allen, whose U.S. work visa has been revoked, was forced to postpone her tour of the West Coast.
Winehouse has cut a run of shows in recent days, including dates in Norway and Denmark, as well as twp support slots with the Rolling Stones in Germany. Today (Aug. 17), a spokesperson for her record company, Island, said, “Amy Winehouse is putting all her touring commitments on hold until further notice in order to address her health issues.” The spokesperson added that, “Her family has requested that the media respect Amy’s privacy at this time. There will be no further comment.”
Happy Mondays will now move up the V Festival’s bill to fill Winehouse’s slot on the Channel 4 stage. She is still due to play the Toronto leg of the festival next month. In a statement, V Festival director Simon Moran commented, “We’re very sorry to hear that Amy is unable to perform this weekend and wish her all the best. We hope that fans will not be too disappointed by the news and we would gladly welcome her to play V Festival 2008.”
As previously reported, Winehouse collapsed and was treated at London’s University College Hospital. Island declined to comment on reports that she was given an adrenaline shot and had her stomach pumped for a suspected drug overdose. Her representatives subsequently said the singer had been ordered “to take a complete rest.” Earlier this year, she cancelled sets at Scotland’s T in the Park festival and Liverpool’s Summer Pops, and also made headlines in March when she was unable to perform a show at Shepherds Bush Empire in London.
Allen’s cancellations, meanwhile, stem from being stopped by American customs officials when entering the country earlier this month. Allen’s manager Neale Easterby had previously confirmed to Billboard that her dates — and an appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards — would go ahead. But in a statement issued today, Allen’s label EMI said the visa reinstatement process “has proven lengthier than anticipated, thus preventing her tour from launching on Sept. 6” in San Diego.
“I am so disappointed that I won’t be able to come to the States at this time,” Allen said. “I was really looking forward to playing these shows and being part of the Video Music Awards. I want my fans to know that I’ll be back as soon as I possibly can.”
