Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson and Gwen Stefani will not take the stage at the Lovers and Friends Festival in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Less than 24 hours before the event, organizers of the Lovers & Friends Festival announced that it had been “canceled” on social media.
In an update from the festival, uploaded to Instagram on Friday, a post read: “Lovers & Friends Festival organizers have been monitoring the weather for several days and proactively preparing for a windy Saturday.”
“However, the National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning, including dangerous sustained winds of 30 to 35 mph with gusts potentially over 60 mph,” they wrote as the reason for the last-minute cancellation.
Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys were among dozens of artists forced to cancel their appearance at Saturday’s Lovers and Friends Festival in Las Vegas. The National Weather Service predicted high winds, creating a risk of injury to performers and guests.
“Following the advice of the National Weather Service and in consultation with local public officials, we must make the safest decision for our fans, artists and staff and cancel tomorrow’s Lovers & Friends Festival.”
“This was an incredibly heartbreaking decision as we are aware that fans have traveled from all over the world to enjoy this incredible lineup of superstars and have been waiting for this event for several months.” they said, writing that their decision reflected their own disappointment.
“Ticket holders who purchased their tickets directly through Front Gate Tickets will receive a refund within 30 days to the original form of payment,” he said, noting that fans could recover some of their expenses.
Artists such as the Backstreet Boys and Janet Jackson shared the official announcement of the festival on their social networks to warn fans about the change in plans.
Usher wrote on Instagram that he was “as disappointed as” his fans.
“We were getting ready to come and celebrate today,” he added. ‘I have to follow the orders of city officials and the National Weather Service for everyone’s protection and remain steadfast in my belief that everything happens for a reason. I’m sorry we can’t see each other today, but know that I’m always working on something to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who continue to support me.’
Many fans expressed outrage at the last-minute notice.
‘I booked a flight, paid for a room, got off work and got childcare. This is fucking stupid,’ one commented.
Gwen Stefani was scheduled to travel to Las Vegas to perform on one of the four stages at the Lovers and Friends Festival (pictured Friday in Toronto).
“This was an incredibly heartbreaking decision as we are aware that fans have traveled from all over the world to enjoy this incredible lineup of superstars and have been waiting for this event for several months,” organizers wrote Friday night.
Dozens of people were scheduled to participate in the outdoor festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds.
Usher expressed his own dismay in a message to his fans. ‘I’m sorry we can’t see each other today,’ he said to the Yeah! the singer wrote on his Instagram Stories. ‘I’ll see you soon’
“So the first year they put us outside in 100 degrees, no shade or water, but the wind was the moment we drew the line,” another wrote, referring to previous editions.
‘Why TF published promotions and did not inform its customers about the potential risk. You all must be held accountable!’ wrote one angry fan in reaction to a promotional video promoting the concert four hours before the cancellation notice was issued.
‘Collective lawsuit? “I’m sure there’s a force majeure clause somewhere,” suggested one litigious ticket holder.
Usher expressed his own dismay in a message to his fans.
“I’m sorry we can’t see each other today, but know that I’m always working on something to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who continue to support me,” said the Yeah! the singer wrote on his Instagram Stories. ‘I’ll see you soon.’