British singer Arlo Parks cancels US dates, saying: ‘I am broken’

Singer Arlo Parks, winner of the Mercury prize and Brit awards, has cancelled a string of concerts, saying her mental health has “deteriorated to a debilitating place”.

Parks announced on social media that she had decided to scrap some of her US tour dates and fly home to London for a period of rest and recovery.

It comes days after fellow Brit award winner Sam Fender also cancelled a series of upcoming shows to look after his mental health after becoming “burnt out”.

Parks’s profile has grown exponentially since the debut of her first EP, Super Sad Generation, in April 2019.

Last year was the 22-year-old singer’s breakout year, during which she released a critically acclaimed debut album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, and took home both the Mercury prize and the award for best new artist at the Brits.

She also embarked on an international tour, opening for acts such as Harry Styles and Billie Eilish.

Addressing her fans, Parks wrote: “I’ve been on the road on and off for the last 18 months, filling every spare second in between and working myself to the bone.

“The people around me started to get worried but I was anxious to deliver and afraid to disappoint my fans and myself. I pushed myself unhealthily, further and harder than I should’ve.”

Announcing the cancellation of several upcoming shows, she added: “I don’t take decisions like this lightly but I am broken and I really need to step out, go home and take care of myself.

“I will do everything I can to make this up to you – for now you can get refunds at your point of purchase.

“I’m forever thankful to everyone who continues to show up for me, what a dream to have fans like you guys – I’ll be back – love AP.”

She said she intends to restart her tour at the Crystal Ballroom venue in Portland, Oregon on 26 September.