Prolific alt-country music man Ryan Adams has been on the road recently in support of this year's self-titled LP, but the final show of his North American tour ended on a sour note in Philadelphia on Wednesday night (November 19).
Adams — who has previously detailed his struggle with Ménière's disease — berated a fan onstage after her repeated use of flash photography, despite explicit requests to refrain from the act.
The inner ear disorder affects hearing and balance, provoking spells of vertigo. Adams has said that his attacks are often triggered by repeated patterns of light, hence the no-flash photography requests on tour.
One fan failed to get (or read) the memo, however, and clicked away during Adams' rendition of "Oh My Sweet Carolina" at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia. Now, as Stereogum points out, video footage has surfaced of Adams stopping the performance to scold the fan in question.
He explains that the camera flashes make him "so dizzy I want to throw up" and "can barely stand up straight." Offering up a more scientific explanation, he continues: "If you flash me with your camera, it feels like you took a lightsaber and you sliced my brain in half."
The crowd responds with supportive cheers and Adams launches back into the song, and presumably wasn't bothered by flashes for the rest of the show.
You can see footage of the performance and the rant below. Adams stops the song and addresses the flash-happy fan around the 2:40 mark.
Adams — who has previously detailed his struggle with Ménière's disease — berated a fan onstage after her repeated use of flash photography, despite explicit requests to refrain from the act.
The inner ear disorder affects hearing and balance, provoking spells of vertigo. Adams has said that his attacks are often triggered by repeated patterns of light, hence the no-flash photography requests on tour.
One fan failed to get (or read) the memo, however, and clicked away during Adams' rendition of "Oh My Sweet Carolina" at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia. Now, as Stereogum points out, video footage has surfaced of Adams stopping the performance to scold the fan in question.
He explains that the camera flashes make him "so dizzy I want to throw up" and "can barely stand up straight." Offering up a more scientific explanation, he continues: "If you flash me with your camera, it feels like you took a lightsaber and you sliced my brain in half."
The crowd responds with supportive cheers and Adams launches back into the song, and presumably wasn't bothered by flashes for the rest of the show.
You can see footage of the performance and the rant below. Adams stops the song and addresses the flash-happy fan around the 2:40 mark.
