Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Jun 28: Singer-songwriter Katy Perry's scheduled performance at Belgium's Werchter Boutique festival was cancelled after authorities called off the event over concerns about severe weather and public safety.
The singer was due to headline the festival but was unable to take the stage after government officials ordered the cancellation amid forecasts of thunderstorms expected to affect the area.
Sharing the news with fans through Instagram, Perry said she had already been backstage preparing for the performance when organisers informed her of the decision.
She wrote that the cancellation had been mandated by the government because of the approaching adverse weather conditions and concerns for the safety of the large crowd attending the event.
Perry said she was deeply disappointed by the development but stressed that the safety of the approximately 55,000 fans present had to remain the top priority.
Expressing her regret, she told fans that the decision was beyond her control and apologised for not being able to perform, adding that she had been looking forward to returning to the festival after 17 years.
The singer also revealed that she had planned to wear the same outfit she had worn during her appearance at the festival in 2009 as a nostalgic tribute to her previous performance.
She concluded her message by urging fans to return home safely and thanked them for their understanding and continued support.
The festival's line-up also featured performances by Pitbull, Mika, Pommelien Thijs, James Arthur, Roxy Dekker and Emmy d'Arc. Perry also shared a statement from the organisers confirming that the event would conclude following Pitbull's performance because of the deteriorating weather conditions.
Earlier this week, Perry attracted attention during a concert in Spain after making what many interpreted as a subtle reference to her former partner, Orlando Bloom, during a light-hearted on-stage segment in which she mentioned several well-known figures from her past relationships.