Katy Perry was backstage at the Werchter Boutique festival in Belgium, mid-hair-and-makeup, when officials told her the show was off. The Belgian government had ordered a last-minute cancellation, the singer announced on Instagram, citing “incoming inclement weather and crowd safety concerns.”
Perry was set to perform for 55,000 fans as the headline act, following a lineup that included Pitbull, Mika, Pommelien Thijs, James Arthur, Roxy Dekker and Emmy d’Arc. Instead, the festival ended after Pitbull’s set at 9 pm.
“Katy Perry's Werchter Boutique show was cancelled by Belgian government due to weather fears.”
“Sadly, my set @WerchterBoutique tonight can’t happen due to a government-mandated cancellation,” Perry wrote. “Unfortunately, this is beyond my control. But the safety of all 55,000 of you always comes first and foremost.”
The Dark Horse hitmaker had been looking forward to the gig for a sentimental reason: “I was looking forward to being back after 17 years. I was even gonna wear the same outfit from that 2009 show again.”
The festival issued a statement explaining that “following consultation with the Rock Werchter Safety Committee, it has been decided that the Werchter Boutique will end at 9 pm this evening.” The decision was made because the weather forecast predicted “severe thunderstorms from midnight onwards.”
“I am sorry I can’t change the weather, and even sorrier that all of us can’t be together tonight,” Perry concluded. “I love you all, and please get home safe.”