Frank Ocean axes Australian shows

Frank Ocean has cancelled his sold-out Australian tour.

The American singer performed on the opening night of the shows at Melbourne's Festival Hall yesterday. He has since announced he is pulling out of all other appearances due to tearing his vocal cords.

Frank apparently told last night's audience he was suffering from a cold.

"I'm sick… I don't know if you care," Billboard reported he said.

He has since shelved the planned Friday night show at the same venue and other shows scheduled for next week in Sydney.

Concert promoters Live Nation released an official statement today confirming the shows have been axed.

"After last night's concert... it was necessary to seek medical advice due to vocal issues Frank Ocean experienced during the show," the promoter explained. "It has subsequently been confirmed that Frank has suffered a small tear to one of his vocal cords and has received medical advice that he must rest his voice. This makes the completion of his remaining Australian dates impossible. Unfortunately due to Frank Ocean's tight tour schedule, it is not possible to schedule replacement dates, however we will be working to confirm a return to Australia as soon as is practical."

Frank was due to attend the Splendour in the Grass festival in Byron Bay on Sunday.

A spokesperson from the festival branded the news "devastating", given the festival is already in full swing.

"We are totally gutted that Frank can't make it and we know that many of our patrons will be just as disappointed as we are. We do want to remind everyone that over 70 of the best acts in the world right now are still here and ready to go including our previously billed mystery band, Alt-J," the statement read. "Our sympathies go to Frank for his illness and also because he's about to miss the best party of the year."

Frank's opening night performance has received critical reviews. He reportedly closed the show without an encore.

"I don't wanna speak much tonight but I do wanna thank you guys," Frank uttered before the lights came up.