Darius Rucker to Continue Tour After Losing Voice Mid-Set
The frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker, has confirmed that he will continue his current tour after recently cancelling a show mid-set due to losing his voice. The incident occurred at his performance in Atlantic City, NJ on July 12th.
Rucker, who launched his tour on July 10th, was forced to cut his concert short after losing his voice. In a video captured by a fan, he can be heard telling the crowd, “Y’all I can’t sing anymore. I will play one more song. I promise you we’re going to figure this out. This never happened. I physically can’t sing… I will make this up to you.”
True to his word, Rucker ended his set with a performance of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” but needed the help of the audience to finish the song.
After the incident, Rucker took to his Instagram Stories to thank fans and apologize for the shortened performance. He also addressed the promise he made onstage to reschedule the show, saying, “I feel awful and I’m so sorry – I have never lost my voice in all my years of performing. We looked at every option to reschedule, but unfortunately, it’s just not possible this year, so we’re issuing full refunds.”
Despite the cancellation and doubts about his upcoming tour dates, a representative for Rucker has confirmed that he will return to the road on July 19th with a performance in Hollywood, FL. “There is no further interruption in his touring schedule,” the publicist said in a statement to USA Today. “Following vocal rest, Darius has been cleared to resume shows.”
Rucker’s tour will continue throughout the US in August and September, with dates in the UK and Canada in September and October. The final show of the tour will take place in Naples, FL in December.
This is not the first time Rucker’s mid-set antics have made headlines. Last year, he slipped and fell during a performance in Charleston, SC. After singing the lyrics “Don’t need no concert in the city,” from his 2008 single “Alright,” he fell and jokingly told the audience, “I’m old as f—.”
Despite the occasional mishap, Rucker is known for putting on energetic and entertaining performances. Fans can expect more of the same as he returns to the stage this weekend.