CityLife

Ne-Yo

LOS Angeles R&B star Ne-Yo provided drama at the M.E.N Arena after aborting his near sell-out show half way through a headline set.

The self-proclaimed ‘smooth’ pop icon appeared visibly uncomfortable, at one stage asking for patience from a loyal and fervent Arena audience.

Bouncing onstage amid flashy pyrotechnics and backing-band bluster, Ne-Yo began well with the slick grind of ‘Because Of You’: the singer bouncing off scantily clad dancers and raising female pulses with his own sexed-up moves.

Following a tribute to Michael Jackson with an energetic version of ‘Off The Wall’, the star visibly regressed, complaining of illness.

Subsequent songs such as the lacklustre ‘Mad’ saw Ne-Yo relying on backing tracks and audience vocals.

Placate

He even pushed out an unknown female singer from his own record label to placate a restless crowd.

By 10pm Ne-Yo and dancers trundled off stage, leaving their bemused band charged with an awkward fill in.

CityLife viewed frantic activity to the side of the stage, as Ne-Yo’s entourage attempted to coax the singer back to perform.

To his credit, Ne-Yo emerged teary-eyed (quite a contrast to his gyrating antics some 10 minutes earlier) vowing to return to the city and finish the show at a later date.

Inevitably, boos greeted the Arena’s official postponement confirmation, but it’s clear the singer wasn’t fit to complete the show.

After a similar walkout earlier in the current tour, fans will hope Ne-Yo returns in a better physical and mental state.

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