Charli XCX Defends Sparse 2027 European Tour Dates

Charli XCX has hit back at intense backlash from fans over the small number of dates on her upcoming 2027 European and UK tour, insisting that touring is "emotionally and physically hard" for her.

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

The promotional poster confirmed that Charli will perform just six arena shows, playing Dublin, Glasgow, Manchester and London before heading to Amsterdam and Paris.

Fans were quick to voice their disappointment at the lack of mainland Europe dates, with only two opportunities to see the star for those living outside the UK. The backlash in the comments grew so intense that Charli felt compelled to respond directly.

Charli XCX responds to backlash

She wrote: "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."

"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," she continued.

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," she wrote.

Fans criticise the limited dates

Charli's original announcement was flooded with negative comments about the shortage of shows, particularly in mainland Europe. One fan wrote: "Ah Europe, that famous continent consisting of London, Manchester and Glasgow."

Another commented: "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." Others were blunter, with one writing "2 cities is NOT eu tour. bye" and another asking "is europe in the room with us?" One fan simply listed potential destinations: "germany? italy? spain? switzerland? poland? anywhere else?"

Further comments included: "Ok as someone who lives in the UK you can't really call it Europe tour with only 2 days in mainland Europe," and "So sick and tired of European tours getting shorter and shorter like???"

Some fans jump to her defence

Not all the responses were critical. Some fans said they understood Charli's decision to scale back her shows. One wrote: "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."

Another said: "Is everyone in the comments section ok ?!?! Let the queen protect her peace!!" A further supporter pointed to her previous touring schedule, writing: "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," they added.

A long-standing dislike of touring

Charli, best known for hits including Boom Clap, has previously spoken about finding touring monotonous. In a December interview with A Rabbit's Foot, she explained that she "hates going on tour," discussing her recent move into acting.

She said the decision to prioritise acting for a time came from a need to stay creative. "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," she 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," she added.

Speaking to Pitchfork last month, Charli said she admired artists who could tour for long periods, admitting she lacks the stamina to do so herself.

"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," she said. "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."