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Renowned singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet has been forced to cancel his much-anticipated tour after suffering a “debilitating” stroke earlier this month. The 60-year-old musician, best known for hits like “Girlfriend” and “100% Fun,” was in the midst of a nationwide tour where he was headlining shows and opening for longtime friends, pop group Hanson.
Matthew Sweet canceled his upcoming tour:
Sweet’s manager, Russell Carter, confirmed the news to USA TODAY on Tuesday, revealing that the singer is now facing a long and challenging road to recovery. He said that Matthew has always been intensely focused and tenacious in all of his endeavors. He assured that Sweet with his determination will serve him well as he focuses on his road to recovery.
The stroke has brought an abrupt halt to what would have been Sweet’s first extensive tour in nearly five years. Prior to the stroke, Sweet had spoken optimistically about returning to the stage after dealing with health issues and the interruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with the Des Moines Register earlier this month, Sweet reflected on the challenges of getting back to touring after such a long hiatus.
“I started touring in the spring, and I just went through some health stuff, and got some time off during the pandemic,” Sweet said at the time. “Last year, I felt like I was ready to start playing, but by then everything was so booked up for the end of ’23 that we decided to go in spring of 2024.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support his medical expenses and recovery, his fans are trying to help him as much as they can. As of Wednesday morning, nearly $128,000 has been raised, a testament to the strong support the singer has garnered throughout his career.
On his official Instagram account, Sweet’s team confirmed the tour’s cancellation, stating that the musician and his band hope to get back on the road next year. Fans are encouraged to keep Sweet in their thoughts as he focuses on his recovery.
Matthew Sweet’s return to the spotlight has been eagerly anticipated, and while this setback has interrupted his tour plans, his fans and colleagues remain hopeful for his recovery and eventual return to performing.