In an alarming incident at a Bring Me The Horizon concert, frontman Oli Sykes sustained a mild concussion after being struck in the head by a mobile phone thrown from the audience. The occurrence took place during a performance at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis on Monday, May 11, 2025, while the band was playing their hit song “Happy Song.”
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Eyewitness accounts and video footage revealed the moment when Sykes, 39, was hit on the left side of his head, prompting him to crouch down on stage. In a video captured by fans, he can be heard expressing his shock, saying, “Who the f— just threw a phone at my f—in’ head?” He visibly checked for any injuries before continuing with the performance.
The following day, Sykes took to Instagram Stories to inform fans about his condition, confirming that he had indeed suffered a mild concussion from the incident. He reassured followers that he was recovering well, remarking, “The phone to the head definitely smarted and I ended up with a mild concussion, but the swelling’s gone down a decent amount already.”
Sykes revealed that he had felt unwell during the remainder of the concert, attributing this to the pressure on the injury while performing. He apologised for what he described as a “half-hearted” performance, acknowledging that he struggled to deliver his usual energetic show. “Last night I was struggling a bit on stage afterwards because singing was putting a lot of pressure on the wound and making things feel a bit disorienting while performing, so I’m sorry on my part for what may have seemed like a half-hearted performance,” he explained in his post.
Despite the incident, Sykes expressed gratitude towards his fans for their concern. He ended the message on a positive note, stating, “Appreciate everyone checking in and worrying about me though. Everything should be fine for tonight’s gig.”
This episode is not an isolated case, as various artists have recently experienced similar incidents involving objects thrown by fans during performances. Notably, Eric Clapton was struck by an object while performing in Madrid, Spain, earlier in May, and country artist Riley Green was also hit by a phone while on stage in Melbourne, Australia, which resulted in injuries requiring five stitches.
In the past year, other performers have reported similar alarming encounters. Bebe Rexha was hit by a phone in New York City, which necessitated stitches. Additionally, Kelsea Ballerini was struck in the eye by a thrown bracelet during a concert in Idaho. The growing trend of objects being hurled at musicians raises concerns about safety protocols at live events.
Safety experts and industry professionals are increasingly stressing the need for heightened security measures at concerts, especially given the risks posed by unruly fan behaviour. These incidents not only endanger performers but also create a tense atmosphere for the audience.
As the music industry continues to navigate these challenges, the hope is that both artists and fans can enjoy live music in a safe and respectful environment. With Sykes confirming his recovery and looking ahead to future performances, it remains to be seen how the incident will influence safety measures at concert venues moving forward.