A day after Lauryn Hill and the Fugees canceled a U.S. reunion tour and refunded tickets without immediate explanation, the singer released a statement late Wednesday explaining the reasons for the cancellation, attributing it to low ticket sales. Hill believes she knows what caused the sales to plummet: because of what she calls “hype-driven headliners” after she previously canceled the final leg of her tour last fall.
In Hill's view, the “excitement” of canceling dates in late 2023 created a climate that made fans hesitant to buy tickets for the 2024 tour, which was scheduled to start this Friday.
It's worth noting that Hill also said that the European dates she and the Fugees have scheduled for October will The concerts are continuing as scheduled, indicating that fans' passion for watching these reunion shows abroad has continued unabated.
“It is with great difficulty that we have made the decision to cancel our upcoming North American tour dates,” Hill wrote in her post. “Shows in the UK and Europe are proceeding as planned.”
“Last year, I suffered an injury that required the rescheduling of some of my shows,” she explains. “Unfortunately, some media outlets’ penchant for sensationalism and sensational headlines has apparently created a narrative that has affected ticket sales for the North American leg of the tour. It seems that the confidence and faith I have in my intentions and commitment to my art has been overshadowed by this unfortunate portrayal.”
In contrast to the situation in the US, she expresses her excitement about the shows in Europe, writing: “Audiences in the UK and Europe have not only not only not seen the Miseducation Anniversary show, but they have not seen the Fugees perform together in over 25 years!”
“Performing in front of my audience is a profound exchange of energy and emotion that excites me every time,” Hill says of her regrets about canceling her U.S. concerts. “Every show is a part of my expression and a testament to our shared connection and love of music. I can assure you that no one is more disappointed than me that I won’t be able to perform.”
“Know that I am not only grateful for those who appreciate and support my art, but I struggle and overcome all forms of resistance to provide experiences that mean something to everyone. I love being able to bring these performances to you!” she adds.
Hill has pledged to perform in the US again, pending some change in the climate that will allow for stronger ticket sales. “We look forward to playing shows in the UK and Europe in October – and for our North American fans, when these unforeseen circumstances are resolved, we will be back in full force,” he said.
Sign the letter with “love, respect and honesty.”
When Hill & the Fugees embarked on a reunion tour in late 2023, many of the shows were held in arenas in front of full audiences, and reviews were generally positive—with most fans considering the concerts to start late and end after midnight, as is Hill's wont.diverse (One of the tour's stops, in Los Angeles, at the Kia Forum, was included in a definitive list of the best concerts of 2023.)
But the final leg of the tour was canceled, with vocal issues cited as the reason. “As many of you may know, I have been experiencing serious vocal strain for the past month,” she said in a statement dated November 22, 2023. “I have been able to get through every show while taking the prescribed prednisone, but this can be harmful to the body when taken in large amounts over long periods of time. In order to prevent any long-term negative impact on my voice and body, I need to take time off to allow my voice to truly recover until I can stop taking the medication completely.”
Hill’s reasons for canceling the show seemed legitimate to many fans, just as they did when she and the Fugees canceled a previous tour in January 2022, citing a reluctance to head out while Covid was still active. But the collective history of cancellations over the years has led to some widespread skepticism on social media about the likelihood of the dates happening — perhaps creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, if Hill is right that this is the reason for the sales slump that has led to this year’s tour being halted.
But other factors may have affected the popularity of Hill/Fugees concert tickets. Streaming industry analysts have noted that the number of tickets sold in 2024 is down from its all-time high in 2023 — though revenues have remained roughly flat due to higher prices for the biggest tours.
