Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Fans and music enthusiasts were left heartbroken after the much-awaited Lovers & Friends festival in Las Vegas was canceled hours before it was set to start this Saturday. The festival was set to have in its billing large artists like Janet Jackson, Mary J.
Blige, and Snoop Dogg. The cancellation came Friday evening after the National Weather Service had posted a High Wind Warning. With forecasts for steady winds of 30 to 35 mph and gusts over 60 mph, it would have been simply impossible to hold the festivity outdoors.
Organizers cited safety as their paramount concern and called the move, though devastating, critical to the well-being of the festival’s patrons.
Usher Shares Disappointment
Headlining performer Usher and his hit song “Yeah!” had also shared his feelings with the audience on social media.
“Mannn…I’m just as disappointed as you are,” he shared on X, showing support for his fans’ misery over the matter. Usher shared with his fans that he is disappointed because he still believes that “everything happens for a reason” and indeed assured them that he has been working to make it all up to them for continued support.
“We were getting ready to turn up and celebrate today,” Usher tweeted, with an added note that had been whipping up the level of excitement that was building into the event: “I’m sorry we won’t get to see each other today, but know that I am always working on something to express my heartfelt gratitude for each and every one of you who continue to support me.
The festival organizers expressed the same sentiment. “We’ve worked hard to create an amazing event for you, and we are just as disappointed as you are,” they said. Organizers also gave a shout-out to the fans who traveled long distances from other parts of the world.
They also promised that those who had purchased tickets via Front Gate Tickets would be refunded within 30 days. The festival was already jam-packed with performances lined up by other A-listed artists like Ciara, Brandy, Ne-Yo, Ja Rule, Ashanti, the Backstreet Boys, among others.
This no doubt leaves both the artists and the fans with a grueling ache of what would have been the milestone musical celebration of all time.
