Charli XCX hits back at intense fan backlash over her lack of European tour dates as she insists that touring is 'emotionally and physically hard'

Published: 15:22 BST, 12 September 2026 | Updated: 15:29 BST, 12 September 2026

Charli XCX has hit back at the intense backlash she received over the lack of dates for her upcoming 2027 European and UK tour.

The singer, 34, took to Instagram on Friday to announce she is taking her Music, Fashion, Film tour to the continent in February next year, writing 'ready to bring you this show that I love so much.'

The promotional poster confirmed that Charli will only be performing six arena shows, playing in Dublin, Glasgow , Manchester and London, before heading to Amsterdam and Paris.

However, fans were far from impressed by the lack of mainland Europe dates, with just two opportunities to catch the star for those living outside the UK.

Music lovers took to the comments to complain in their droves, with the backlash becoming so intense that Charli was forced to address the situation, explaining in the comments that she finds touring 'emotionally and physically hard'.

Charli penned: 'hi everyone. i know there’s a lot of frustration in the comments about the fact that i am not doing lots of dates. i am really sorry if you feel disappointed but i have to honor my truth as an artist: touring is really emotionally and physically hard for me.

Charli XCX has hit back at the intense backlash she received over the lack of dates for her upcoming 2027 European and UK tour

The singer, 34, took to Instagram on Friday to announce she is taking her Music, Fashion, Film tour to the continent in February next year, writing 'ready to bring you this show that I love so much' [pictured in August]

'i am not looking for sympathy and i have a huge amount of respect for artists who can handle it at an intense, lengthy and high octane level, but i am just not one of those human beings and i never have been. this was also part of my reasoning behind doing a shorter north american run too.'

The Boom Clap hitmaker added: 'i’m sorry if you feel i am letting you down, i really am. perhaps one day i will be built for the kind of touring you expect from me but right now i am not.

'If you’re coming to a show i hope you have fun and enjoy it, and i will try my best to stay in a healthy and positive mindset and enjoy it too xx lots of love, charli.' [sic]

After Charli initially announced the dates, her post was met with a plethora of negative comments complaining about the lack of shows, especially in Europe.

They penned: 'Ah Europe, that famous continent consisting of London, Manchester and Glasgow.'

'Charli, i love you and i understand you. And i didn't ask for some long huge tour, i didn't ask for much. But please, add at least 3 more shows in Europe.'

'2 cities is NOT eu tour. bye'; 'is europe in the room with us?'

The promotional poster confirmed that Charli will only be performing six arena shows, playing in Dublin, Glasgow , Manchester and London, before heading to Amsterdam and Paris

Music lovers complained in their droves, with Charli then forced to address the situation, explaining in the comments that she finds touring 'emotionally and physically hard'

After Charli initially announced the dates, her post was met with a plethora of negative comments complaining about the lack of show, especially in Europe.

However, there were some fans who jumped to her defence, noting they understood her decision to perform a small amount of shows

'Ok as someone who lives in the UK you can’t really call it Europe tour with only 2 days in mainland Europe.'

'So sick and tired of European tours getting shorter and shorter like???'

However, there were some fans who jumped to her defence, noting they understood her decision to perform a small amount of shows.

They said: 'I love u and totally understand your decision and respect it! I'll see you live someday, hopefully next era hehe :) glad to be one of your angelssss.'

'Is everyone in the comments section ok ?!?! Let the queen protect her peace!!'

'You could cancel the entire tour and I’d agree with you. Glad you’re doing what you need to for yourself. You gave fans everything and then some when you extended the Brat Tour as far and wide as you did during 24-25, until just about a year ago.

'Thank u for always putting yourself out there for us, but also thank you for looking out for your wellbeing and being conscious of your limits. We love u.'

Charli has previously opened up on her dislike of going on tour, calling it 'monotonous'

Charli has previously opened up on her dislike of going on tour.

In a December interview for A Rabbit's Foot, the chart-topper explained how she 'hates going on tour' as she discussed her foray into acting.

She admitted that the decision to prioritise acting for a while came from a need to stay creative, as she admitted she hates being a touring musician as it's 'monotonous'.

'Look, you might think I'm being dramatic, but I talk to my husband about this all the time - I want to feel life on overload, at full speed. If I couldn't create, I would die,' Charli said.

'Someone might say, "She's over the top," but the past five years I've been frustrated with my music rollout. I hate going on tour, it's monotonous.'

Meanwhile, in a chat with Pitchfork last month, she shared her admiration for those who could tour for long periods, noting that she lacks the 'stamina' to do so.

She said: 'I mean, look, even when we did a run-through yesterday, we just did a run-through today, I’m like, "Oh, my body really sore", and that’s why I always have such an admiration for people who go on tour for a long time.

'The stamina that it takes is just not something that I particularly care to get. And the monotony, doing the same thing over and over again doesn’t feel alive enough for me.'