Katy Perry forced to cancel festival appearance in last-minute decision

Katy Perry was forced to cancel her headline set at a European music festival after the event was shut down at the eleventh hour.

Werchter Boutique festival in Belgium was abruptly cancelled as Perry was getting ready to get on stage, due to weather and safety concerns. The singer, 41, took to Instagram to share the news herself alongside an apology to her fans.

“Sadly, my set tonight can’t happen due to a government-mandated cancellation because of the incoming inclement weather and crowd safety concerns,” she started the Instagram post.

“I was backstage at the show in the middle of hair and makeup when this news was delivered, and they gave me no choice. I am just as unhappy as you are.”

She noted the situation was “beyond [her] control,” and added she was going to pull out an old costume from her 2009 performance at the same festival.

“I am sorry I can’t change the weather, and even sorrier that all of us can’t be together tonight,” the post continued.

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“I was looking forward to being back after 17 years, I was even gonna wear the same outfit from that 2009 show again. I love you all, and please get home safe.”

R&B singer Pitbull was the last performer to hit the stage on the night, after the festival announced that it would end after his concert in a statement.

“The decision was taken in response to the weather forecast, which predicts severe thunderstorms from midnight onwards at the earliest,” read the statement.

“The festival will end after Pitbull’s performance. Katy Perry’s concert will not go ahead.”

The singer is currently in Europe for a number of shows following her performance at the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US.

Her performance stirred up controversy after fans realised her partner, former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, skipped the canadian national teams match to watch his girlfriend.

Following the Firework singer’s performance, she was spotted as she ran off stage towards Trudeau to kiss him.

During the match, the camera showed the pair watching the game from the stands, and Canadians were not happy with the former Prime Minister.

One social media user called him a “traitor” while others said it was a “slap in the face,” for the country.

But there were some supportive comments too, and some users pointed out that Trudeau is now a private citizen who showed up for his partner.

Following the online outrage, Trudeau said that he simply had to miss the game because “sometimes, supportive boyfriend duties call,” in a post to his X account.

“But you know who I’m rooting for to take the Cup,” he added, alongside a Canadian flag emoji.

The pair have been dating since July 2025.