More about: Ben Howard

Ben Howard has caused controversy and upset fans, after a 'shambolic' performance in which he called gig-goers 'c***ts' during a show in Norwich. 

The chart-topping I Forgot Where We Were singer-songwriter sensation was performed at Norwich UEA LCR at the weekend - but now, negative reviews and Twitter comments about Howard's behaviour have spread across the internet. 

As OutlineOnline reports, Howard refused to play a number of his older and more popular songs in favour of a cut of his slower and more downbeat tracks - before taking to berating the audience. 

"Howard labelled The Wolves ‘fucking boring’ and later continued to ramble about how nowadays all people want is entertainers, and it’s ‘fucking boring’," writes OutlineOnline. "In a rant of near Kanye sized proportions, he launched into a string of complaints about seemingly irrelevant topics, the crowd’s laughter gradually dissipating as confusion and impatience kicked in.

"As he continued, earlier remarks began to seem bitter rather than light hearted, such as him describing the performance as a ‘weird Norwich gig’ and calling the audience ‘a bunch of c*nts’. Howard gracefully concluded the rant with, ‘We're only playing one more song, you might think we’re a bunch of c*nts, but oh well’, before finally beginning the epic End of the Affair."

Gig-goer Natalie Louise Riley then commented: "I think this is pretty well summed up too. It was a weird vibe and having been one of the crowd that did pay £30 to see Ben I was a little disappointed, not with the music but with his attitude. I think he forgets that touring and doing live shows is very different to intimate studio gigs and is perhaps a little uncomfortable with it?

"He seemed to get stroppy because the crowd lifted during 'The Fear' and he sarcastically said 'ooh one you know' and I think at that point he realised we weren't a miserable crowd but dare I say it....a bit bored? He is no doubt a talented musician with a hauntingly beautiful voice but there are many people still only just discovering who he is and listening to the first album and so I think to be so self indulgent and stroppy so early on in his career is a bit off."

She added: "People may buy his music but that was enough to put me off seeing him live again."

 Others took to Twitter to speak out:

Ben Howard called us all a bunch of cunts on several occasions last night https://t.co/C9tupE9kNq

— Tim (@Tim_Macardle) December 15, 2014

Ben Howard seemed really off tonight. The music was good but he seemed like he didn't want to be there. Strange.

— Hamish Muirden (@___Hamish___) December 14, 2014

Interesting show from Ben Howard yesterday, great music but lacking in warmth #vscocam #norwich #uea… http://t.co/muRsU0VnL5

— Cameron Bloom (@CameronHBloom) December 15, 2014

Howard is yet to comment on the performance. 

Ben Howard's upcoming 2015 UK tour dates are below. Buy tickets safely and securely using Seatwave here. 

Mon April 13 2015 - LIVERPOOL Liverpool Echo Arena
Tue April 14 2015 - DUBLIN O2 Dublin
Thu April 16 2015 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Fri April 17 2015 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Sat April 18 2015 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Mon April 20 2015 - BIRMINGHAM Barclaycard Arena
Tue April 21 2015 - CARDIFF Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
Thu April 23 2015 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Fri April 24 2015 - GLASGOW SSE Hydro
Sat April 25 2015 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Metro Radio Arena

More about: Ben Howard