Retro pop prince Stephen Sanchez has hit out at the \u201cpornographic\u201d state of pop music after being forced to cancel his Australian tour.<\/p>\n
While slow ticket sales and a lacklustre reception to his second album Love, Love, Love are likely behind Sanchez pulling the plug on next month\u2019s Lover Down Under shows, which was set to begin in Brisbane on July 15, the 23-year-old posted a lengthy, sad explanation<\/a> for the cancellation.<\/p>\n In short, he\u2019s not a fan of his new record.<\/p>\n The singer songwriter became a global sensation with his debut album Angel Face in 2023, propelled by the billion-streaming single Until I Found You and fan favourites High and Evangeline.<\/p>\n But singles from his new record have failed to strike a chord. In his post, Sanchez revealed the stress and anxiety he suffered during the album\u2019s creation made him want to quit music.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cancellation of the NZ\/AU Tour without explanation has left some of you with questions and I imagine some frustrated feelings as well. I know many of you had hotels and flights booked. I\u2019m truly sorry for that,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n \u201cI spent the majority of 2025 working on LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. In short, what felt like never ending conflict, stress, anxiety, and overall deeply negative energy surrounding the process and lead up to this album\u2019s release absolutely ruined this music for me,\u201d he posted on Instagram.<\/p>\n \u201cIt affected me so much that I wanted to quit making music all together.\u201d<\/p>\n Sanchez said he went ahead with his European dates hoping performing the songs and reconnecting with fans would switch his perspective.<\/p>\n The young American artist even proceeded with a slippery set during the annual Summertime Ball at London\u2019s Wembley Stadium 10 days ago where he slid and stumbled all over the stage after a rainstorm.<\/p>\n But as he wrote his apology to fans \u201csitting in an airport\u201d, it became clear Sanchez will be taking a long break from touring commitments.<\/p>\n The young artist had plenty to say about his pop peers and it wasn\u2019t complimentary.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat made things even more discouraging for me was hearing some of the popular music that was coming out during the time I was working on this album,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cDisgusting, heavily pornographic lyrics, nothing driving people to do anything, to see anything different in a way that helps others along.<\/p>\n \u201cSo much of it felt dividing or shallow or filled with lust, not love. \u2018But it\u2019s catchy.\u2019 Music needs to do better. What\u2019s said is so important, what we leave behind is so important. It\u2019s left me feeling so depressed as an artist.\u201d<\/p>\n Sanchez, like many of other stars, also slammed the industry and fan demands for social media content to support a new release or tour.<\/p>\n The Until I Found You singer said he was done with being a \u201cmusical influencer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems that an artist\u2019s success relies heavily on this one thing: Being on social media everyday. Sharing every piece of themselves with the world. Doing something shocking in their look or their writing. Having things \u2018go viral\u2019 every waking second in order to have everyone \u2018in your corner\u2019 trust or even listen to your artistic vision,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so sick of that. I\u2019m done with that. I\u2019m going to make the art that I want to make and promote it in a way that feels restful for me.<\/p>\n \u201cI will come back when I feel that I\u2019ve create[d] that space for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Frontier Touring slapped a \u201ccancelled due to unforeseen circumstances\u201d notice on their website and venues hosting the tour with fans notified that their tickets, which started at $89.90, would be automatically refunded. <\/p>\n Originally published as Stephen Sanchez cancels Australian tour as he blasts \u2018pornographic\u2019 pop music<\/a><\/p>\n