sombr Pleads With Concertgoer to Stop Flipping Him Off: ‘It’s Really Making Me Sad, Man’

"I don't appreciate it," the singer said. "This is a safe space." Sombr performs onstage at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on Sept. 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. Rich Polk/Billboard One person’s rude gestures in the crowd at sombr‘s recent concert made the musician feel, well, somber. As captured in clips from the night, the pop star paused his Sunday show in Columbus, Ohio, to express his dismay over a man in attendance who apparently wouldn’t stop giving sombr the middle finger while he was performing. “[He] just keeps flipping me off and flipping me off every night,” the singer/songwriter said. “Man, I don’t know why you’re coming to my concert if you’re gonna keep flipping me off,” he continued. “It’s all love, but please, please don’t flip me off at my show. It’s this guy with the shades and the leather jacket right here. … It’s really making me sad, man. I don’t appreciate it. This is a safe space. I want everyone here to be kind to each other.” It’s unclear if sombr and the culprit were able to go back to friends after the exchange, but in general, the hitmaker has had his share of experience dealing with negativity. He previously made headlines when he defended himself against a person who posted a viral TikTok bashing his concert performance and appearance, and in September, sombr passed along the advice Taylor Swift gave him on the subject. “One of the best pieces of advice the legend has given me … is that if these hate comments go away, maybe you’re not at your peak anymore,” he told Elle. “I think it’s a privilege to be receiving these and rise above it. Ever since she gave me that advice, it’s really changed my perspective and has helped.” The star is currently on tour in support of his Billboard 200 No. 10 debut album I Barely Know Her, with dates scheduled through summer 2027. The flipper-offer in the crowd in Columbus wasn’t the only unexpected interruption that’s taken place so far on the trek, with sombr taking a pause during his Nov. 3 show in Milwaukee after he chipped his tooth on his water bottle mid-performance. “Oh, sh–! I chipped my tooth again!” he said at the time. “I’m so happy to inform all of you that ‘Thombr’ has returned.” Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up