Charli XCX Reveals She Has Nerve Damage From Touring

There’s a reason why Charli XCX is headlining Laneway Festival next year: she’s a hell of a performer, known for her energetic performances no matter the venue, big or small, arena or club. But she’s often in pain while trying to put on a show to remember.

In a new interview with Variety, the British singer, songwriter, and producer discussed nerve damage from delivering intense performances. She revealed that touring is “really hard” emotionally, which was helped by touring with Troye Sivan in the US this year.

• Charli XCX's Now-Iconic 'Brat' Album Art Was Done To 'Save Money'

She described the Aussie star as “a lot easier and less of an emotional battle” for her to tour with. She added, “For me to give a performance I feel is good enough, I have to really physically throw myself around, and that makes me very upset when I do it. It’s kind of this hellhole, but being with Troye softens that a lot.”

First reviews for Sweat Tour are in! ❤️💙

“Charli more than proved herself an arena-worthy act… her wild energy made the building pulsate and shake”

“A raging warehouse party that just happened to be held at a downtown sports arena”

“A hardworking, high-energy show that lived… pic.twitter.com/qr73BbNgnO

— xcx source (@xcxsource) September 15, 2024

On the physical damage done to her body by touring, Charli explained, “I find the stage—especially these days—to be a very angry place for me.

“I’ve done a lot of physical damage to my body from performing, and I’m often in a lot of pain when I perform. Physically, I have nerve damage in my neck from things I’ve done on the stage.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Charli detailed the surprising ongoing success of her sixth album, Brat, working with Ariana Grande on the Sympathy Is A Knife remix, and more.

You can watch the interview below.

Charli XCX will headline the 2025 edition of Laneway Festival and bring Brat summer to Australia and New Zealand. Other acts appearing at the festival include Clairo, beabadoobee, Remi Wolf, Eyedress, and Skegss.

Laneway Festival Programming Coordinator Ruby Miles said of the upcoming festival, “This has to be my favourite Laneway line-up we’ve ever put together – I’m such a fangirl of all of these artists! Having Charli XCX as our headliner is a dream come true, but the line-up's depth from gates open until gates close will make Laneway 2025 so special.”