Oli Sykes, frontman of British pop-metal band Bring Me the Horizon, and legendary guitarist Eric Clapton have both been struck by objects thrown by audience members during recent performances. The incidents highlight a growing trend of dangerous fan behavior at concerts.
Bring Me the Horizon Incident
During a concert in St Louis on Monday, a member of the audience threw a phone at Sykes, striking him on the head. Sykes continued performing but cut one song and a fan interaction section from the set. He later posted on social media that the impact caused a mild concussion, with swelling gradually subsiding. He apologized for what might have seemed like a half-hearted performance, explaining that singing put pressure on the wound and caused disorientation.
Eric Clapton Incident
Clapton was performing in Madrid on 7 May when a vinyl album in its sleeve, thrown by an audience member, hit him in the chest toward the end of his set. He ended the concert without an expected encore but was unaffected for his next show in Barcelona on Sunday.
Rising Trend of Object-Throwing
Throwing objects onto stages has become increasingly common, often not as a sign of disapproval but as misguided attempts to give gifts or get photos. In 2023, a spate of incidents saw Bebe Rexha left with a cut and swollen eye from a thrown phone, while Harry Styles, Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Kelsea Ballerini, and Steve Lacy were also targeted. Ava Max was slapped by a fan on stage, and Pink received a bag of ashes reportedly belonging to a fan's late mother.
Billie Eilish expressed frustration, noting she had been hit on stage for six years, though she understood it was often out of love. She was hit again in December 2024 but continued. Adele warned audiences during her Las Vegas residency, daring anyone to throw something at her. In 2024, Zach Bryan was hit on the leg, Azealia Banks cut a show short after a cup was thrown, and Sabrina Carpenter removed furry handcuffs thrown on stage. In March 2025, country singer Riley Green was hit on the head by a phone, causing bleeding, but he finished the concert in Melbourne.
