Ryan Adams Addresses Controversy Surrounding His Australia and New Zealand Tour

Ryan Adams has recently addressed fans regarding his contentious tour in Australia and New Zealand. Following an earlier post that drew significant criticism, he felt the need to clarify his remarks and the situation surrounding his performances.

In a now-deleted Instagram update, the singer-songwriter sought to provide insight to fans who expressed their dissatisfaction with his shows, especially after he controversially stated, “Thanks AUS. See you never.”

Clarifying the Concerns

“To ALL my #Australian fans… And the click bait news cycle. Here’s some clarity,” he began, addressing misconceptions.

He emphasized that his concerts prohibit flash photography citing health reasons. “Why? Because they can cause me to have a SEIZURE, or worse,” he shared.

Adams mentioned that several musicians face similar challenges due to audience reactions despite clear guidelines. “I managed an entire year to standing ovations and 3 hour shows. The flight alone to Australia left my ears compressed,” he said, expressing his regrets about how his comments were perceived.

Health Challenges Explained

Further elaborating on his condition, Adams revealed he suffers from “vestibular disease.” He explained, “It’s a form of epilepsy. When you are flashed with an LED, my body goes into seizure. In Melbourne, which I was so excited to play, the flash cameras would not stop,” he explained.

Clarifying his earlier remarks, he insisted, “I’m not ‘blaming my illness’; you can certainly look at my IG page and see just how many shows were amazing. I had zero issues in NZ.”

His deleted post continues to circulate on social media, particularly on his official subreddit, where fans have been discussing the implications of his statements.


Challenges During the Tour

The controversy began early in the tour when Adams abruptly left the stage at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on October 12th, prompting backlash from the audience.

New Zealand performances also faced scrutiny, with many fans reporting “weird” shows as per the NZ Herald.

Final Thoughts on the Tour

In a previous Instagram post, Adams shared the set list for his last concert in Auckland, along with an emotional note: “My very last show overseas. What a dream. God bless you #auckland… I might not see you again but I’ll keep making these records and books because I love it…. And I love you.”

This tour was meant to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his acclaimed debut album, Heartbreaker.