The 5 Tragic Minutes: Inside Amy Winehouse's Disastrous Final Concert In Belgrade

The legacy of Amy Winehouse, a generational talent with a voice that blended jazz, soul, and R&B, is forever marked by her extraordinary music and her tragic, premature death. Today, in late 2025, fans still look back at the events leading up to her passing, and no moment is scrutinized more than her final, chaotic performance.

The concert, which took place in Belgrade, Serbia, was intended to be the triumphant launch of her 2011 European tour. Instead, on June 18, 2011, it became a heartbreaking public spectacle—a final, painful glimpse into the struggles that ultimately claimed her life just over a month later, cementing her place in the infamous 27 Club.

Amy Winehouse: A Brief Biographical Profile

Amy Jade Winehouse was a revolutionary English singer and songwriter whose distinctive sound and powerful, expressive contralto vocals captivated the music world. Her career, though brief, left an indelible mark on soul and jazz music, inspiring a generation of artists.

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• Full Name: Amy Jade Winehouse
• Born: September 14, 1983, in Southgate, London, England
• Parents: Mitchell "Mitch" Winehouse (taxi driver) and Janis Winehouse (pharmacist)
• Spouse: Blake Fielder-Civil (m. 2007; div. 2009)
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Musician
• Genres: Soul, R&B, Jazz, Pop
• Key Albums: Frank (2003), Back to Black (2006)
• Signature Songs: "Rehab," "Back to Black," "Valerie," "Tears Dry on Their Own"
• Major Awards: Five Grammy Awards in one night (2008), including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.
• Died: July 23, 2011, in Camden, London, England, at the age of 27.
• Cause of Death: Accidental alcohol poisoning.

The Disastrous Belgrade Concert: June 18, 2011

The final curtain call for Amy Winehouse’s touring career occurred at Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade, Serbia, as part of the Belgrade Summer Festival. This show was highly anticipated, marking the beginning of a 12-date European tour. Fans were eager to see the iconic soul singer return to the stage, hoping for a resurgence of the brilliance that defined her critically acclaimed album, Back to Black.

However, the performance quickly devolved into a tragedy. From the moment she appeared on stage, it was clear that the star was not well. She seemed disoriented, visibly stumbling and struggling to maintain her balance. The atmosphere shifted from excitement to palpable concern and, eventually, frustration among the 20,000-strong crowd.

A Fiasco Unfolding on Stage

For a performance that lasted approximately 90 minutes, Amy Winehouse sang very little. She spent much of the time wandering aimlessly around the stage, occasionally picking up the microphone only to mumble or forget the lyrics to her own songs. Her band, a group of seasoned professionals, valiantly attempted to cover for her, playing extended instrumental breaks and trying to guide her through the setlist.

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During attempts at performing hits like "Valerie" and "Back to Black," she was often off-key or simply missed her cues entirely. At one point, she tossed her microphone down and walked off stage, only to return moments later. Her confusion was evident, and the struggle was heartbreaking to watch for both the audience and her backing musicians.

The audience reaction, initially supportive, turned sour. Boos and jeers began to erupt from the frustrated crowd who had paid a significant amount of money to witness the legendary performer. The Serbian press was brutal, widely describing the event as a "scandal" and a "fiasco." One local newspaper wrote that the concert was "the worst in the history of Belgrade."

The Immediate Aftermath and Cancellation of the Tour

The fallout from the Belgrade concert was swift and definitive. The images and videos of the troubled singer’s performance spread rapidly across the globe, painting a clear picture of her deteriorating health. Within 48 hours, her management announced the cancellation of the entire remaining European tour, including stops in Istanbul and Athens.

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A statement released at the time cited her need to recover, stating: "Amy Winehouse is pulling out of all of her scheduled European performances. Although keen to fulfil her commitments, she has agreed with management that she cannot perform to the best of her ability and will return home." This decision was a final attempt to prioritize her well-being over her professional commitments, but tragically, it came too late.

Amy's father, Mitch Winehouse, later spoke candidly about the event, confirming the severity of her condition at the time. The Belgrade show was a stark, public display of her battle with addiction and a clear signal that she was in dire need of help, despite having recently completed a rehabilitation program.

The True Final Public Appearance: A Glimmer of Hope

While Belgrade was her final *concert* performance, Amy Winehouse made one last, brief public appearance that offered a fleeting moment of her musical spirit. On July 20, 2011, just three days before her death, she made a surprise appearance at the Roundhouse in Camden, London. She joined her godchild, the young soul singer Dionne Bromfield, on stage to support her as she performed "Mama Said."

In this non-singing role, Amy was seen dancing and encouraging Bromfield, looking healthier and happier than she had in Belgrade. She hugged her protégé and waved to the crowd. This brief, tender moment is often viewed as a bittersweet farewell, a final, sober appearance where she was supporting a rising talent, demonstrating her deep love for music and the people she cared about.

The Legacy of a Voice Silenced Too Soon

Amy Winehouse died on July 23, 2011, at her home in Camden, London, from accidental alcohol poisoning. Her passing at the age of 27 placed her among the legendary musicians of the 27 Club, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain. Her death shocked the world and brought renewed attention to the struggles of young artists grappling with fame, addiction, and mental health issues.

Her music, however, continues to resonate. The raw, confessional lyrics and her unique blend of classic jazz vocal styling with contemporary R&B production established her as a truly singular artist. Albums like Back to Black remain essential listening, influencing countless artists who followed in her wake. The Amy Winehouse Foundation was established by her family to prevent the effects of drug and alcohol misuse on young people, ensuring her name and story continue to serve a positive purpose.

The Belgrade concert, while a difficult memory for her fans, serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost behind the celebrity facade. It was a tragic, high-profile moment where the world saw the immense talent of a troubled star battling her demons, a battle she ultimately lost.