Sombr Faces Backlash After Controversial Concert Review

A recent concert by rising music star Shane Boose, known by his stage name Sombr, has sparked significant controversy on social media following a critical review from a fan. The incident highlights the growing influence of platforms like TikTok in shaping public perceptions of artists and their performances.

During the Late Nights & Young Romance Tour, held at The Anthem in Washington, DC, a 25-year-old TikTok user named Meg shared her disappointment with the concert experience. In a now-viral video, she described the event as “one of the worst experiences of my life,” expressing her initial excitement that turned into frustration. Meg claimed that the atmosphere felt juvenile, comparing it to a “middle school dance,” as the audience was primarily composed of younger attendees.

Meg’s review went into detail about her dissatisfaction, noting that the concert included references to niche memes and humor that did not resonate with her. She critiqued a segment titled “Sombr dating show,” where the artist invited audience members to call their “toxic exes,” describing the scene as “cringe.” Ultimately, she left the concert early, feeling that the jokes were inappropriate for the demographic present.

In response to the backlash, Sombr took to TikTok, labeling the situation as “TikTok drama.” He defended his performance by emphasizing his age, stating, “I am a 20-year-old artist – freshly 20 – and if you’re 25 years old, and you’re gonna come to my concert and not expect people younger than you to be there when I, the artist, am five years younger than you, it’s just a skill issue.” This remark aimed to highlight the generational gap between him and some of his audience members.

Sombr also addressed the content of his jokes, arguing that anyone familiar with his online presence would understand his comedic style. “I have never uttered a serious word in my life,” he remarked. He further clarified that only a small portion of the concert involved humor, while the majority was focused on music. To illustrate his point, he jokingly touched what appeared to be fake grass in his video, referencing the phrase “touch grass,” commonly used online as a critique of someone overly focused on the virtual world.

In the aftermath, Meg commented on the significant backlash she received, stating that despite her history of posting politically charged content, she had never experienced as much negativity as she did following her review of Sombr’s concert.

The incident underscores the evolving relationship between artists and their audiences in the age of social media. As platforms like TikTok continue to gain traction, both fans and performers must navigate the complexities of public feedback and community standards in real-time.

CNN has reached out to both Meg and a representative for Sombr for further comment, illustrating the heightened interest in this unexpected social media exchange.