Katy Perry expressed fury after her headline performance at Belgium's Rock Werchter festival was canceled at the last minute due to extreme weather. The American pop star, 41, was forced to announce the cancellation just hours before she was due on stage, blaming a government mandate and crowd safety concerns.
Government-Ordered Cancellation
Perry took to Instagram to share her disappointment, revealing she was backstage in hair and makeup when the news was delivered. She wrote: "Sadly my set @WerchterBoutique tonight can’t happen due to a government mandated cancellation because of the incoming inclement weather and crowd safety concerns." The singer added that she had no choice in the matter, stating: "I am just as unhappy as you are. Unfortunately this is beyond my control, but the safety of all 55,000 of you always comes first and foremost."
Extreme Weather Wreaks Havoc Across Europe
The cancellation comes as Europe faces a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C in some areas, followed by severe thunderstorms. The Rock Werchter Safety Committee, in consultation with authorities, decided to end the festival early at 9 pm on Saturday. The governor of Flemish Brabant issued a be-alert for severe thunderstorms predicted from midnight onwards. The festival stated: "By bringing the festival to a close early, we can ensure that the exit of visitors proceeds in a safe and orderly manner."
Fan Frustration
Many fans expressed anger, noting they had bought tickets specifically to see Perry. The festival confirmed that Katy Perry's concert would not go ahead, but assured that Sunday's events would continue as scheduled. Perry, who last performed at Rock Werchter in 2009, joked she was even planning to wear the same outfit from that show.
Upcoming Performances
Perry is set to perform at Depot Live in Cardiff on Tuesday and Blenheim Palace Festival on Wednesday. She recently stunned fans with a performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies, where she debuted a track titled "Wonder" alongside Tius Luka.
