CMAT has teased what to expect from her upcoming ‘Euro-Country’ UK and Ireland tour after she was forced to postpone the dates.
The artist was originally due to kick off the run of shows in support of her latest album earlier this month, but had to reschedule them after suffering a tooth infection that required surgery.
Speaking to NME on the red carpet at the 2025 Mercury Prize, the singer-songwriter shared her “sell” for the tour, which is already completely sold out. “The best music of all time played by the best-looking people of all time, who are really funny and fun and entertaining,” she said when asked what fans could expect.
CMAT also gave an update on her health, saying her recovery wasn’t going “that well”. “I had to get another little surgery there four days ago,” she explained. “It was crazy. My mouth was full of stitches and sedatives. I’m not allowed to drink any alcohol, or my liver might turn into an acorn.”
The musician’s ongoing recovery meant that she was unable to perform at the 2025 Mercury Prize last night (October 16), where she was shortlisted for ‘Euro-Country’. The nomination marks her second in two consecutive years, following a nod for ‘Crazymad, For Me’ in 2024.
When announcing the postponement of her tour earlier this month, CMAT told fans: “I am told the recovery period for my surgery is two weeks to allow me to heal, with a following short period to allow me get back to full health […] If there was anything I could do I would do it, but I currently can’t even open my mouth wide enough to laugh let alone sing.
“I also can’t even chew any food for the foreseeable future, so if anybody can send ice cream and or soup recommendations, they would be hugely appreciated.”
NME gave ‘Euro-Country’ a five-star review, writing: “Modernity has failed us, but that won’t stop Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson. That’s the CMAT way in 2025: approach with absolute confidence, total honesty is the only option, and you might as well have a laugh and shake your bits while you’re at it.
“‘Euro-Country’ has the courage and the consistency to land high on the fast-approaching end-of-year lists, and to make CMAT the icon she’s been giving all this time.”
Sam Fender was crowned the winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize last night for his third album, ‘People Watching’. He thanked “very good friends” Fontaines D.C. and CMAT during his acceptance speech, saying that he was in “great company” on the shortlist.
In the winner’s room afterwards, Fender added: “We didn’t think we were going to win anything so I’m still in shock. It’s an absolute honour and it’s amazing it’s happened up here, for the first time outside of London. I think it’s a really important thing that’s happened right now in the music industry – I think it’s great.”
