Katy Perry has been forced to cancel his appearance in Belgium Werchter Boutique festival.
Hours before she was set to take the stage at Festivalpark Werchter on Saturday (June 27), the 41-year-old “California Gurls” singer announced she had to cancel her performance due to the historic heat wave sweeping Europe.
“Unfortunately my kit @WerchterBoutique tonight it cannot happen due to a government-mandated cancellation due to the impending bad weather and audience safety concerns,” Katy signed on Instagram.
“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’m just as unhappy as you are,” she continued. “This is unfortunately beyond my control, but the safety of all 55,000 of you always comes first.”
Katy added: “I’m sad that I can’t change the weather and even more sad that we can’t all be together tonight. I was looking forward to being back after 17 years, I even wanted to wear the same outfit from that 2009 show again. I love you all and please come home.”
Over the weekend in Belgium, temperatures reached 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) as Europe continues to cope with an unprecedented early summer heat wave. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Sunday (June 28) that since June 21, more than 1,300 excess deaths have been linked to the unusually high temperatures.
“Europe is the fastest warming continent on Earth, warming at twice the global average. Right now 150 million people are living in extreme heat, hundreds are dead, schools are closed, grids are denting.” Ghebreyesus wrote X. “Heat stress is often called ‘the silent killer’ – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures.”
Also in her Instagram post, Katy shared a statement from festival officials announcing that her headlining set had been canceled and that the festival would end early after Pit bull‘s performance.
“This decision was taken in response to the weather forecast, which predicts heavy thunderstorms from midnight onwards at the earliest. The governor of Flemish Brabant has also issued a be alert in this regard,” the statement read. “By ending the festival early, we can ensure that the visitors’ exit will proceed in a safe and orderly manner, so that everyone can return home safely. The safety and health of everyone present is always our highest priority.”
Katy‘s canceled performance comes just days after she came out her brand new song “Watch It Burn.”
Sent to:Katy Perry
