Usher attends the 55th Annual NAACP Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on March 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. – Photo: Unique Nicole/WireImage (Getty Images)
Over the weekend, performers like Usher and attendees for the 2024 “Lovers and Friends” festival got the worse news they could’ve received less than 24 hours before doors opened: the jam-packed, one-day, multi-concert event was cancelled.
Citing a “high wind warning” and consultation from public officials, festival organizers had to shut the concert down much to the displeasure and disappointment of many concertgoers, who had already flown in and paid money for tickets and hotel stays, and the artists who’d been rehearsing up until that very moment for the big day.
For Usher, who was set to perform the entirety of his “Confessions” album to commemorate its 20th anniversary, he hopped online to express his sadness:
Mannn…I’m just as disappointed as you are. We were getting ready to turn up and celebrate today. I have to follow the orders of city officials and the National Weather Service for everyone’s protection and stand strong in my belief that everything happens for a reason. I’m sorry…
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) May 4, 2024
“Mannn…I’m just as disappointed as you are. We were getting ready to turn up and celebrate today,” Usher wrote on X/Twitter. I have to follow the orders of city officials and the National Weather Service for everyone’s protection and stand strong in my belief that everything happens for a reason. 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. I’ll see you soon.”
Janet Jackson, who was also set to perform echoed similar sentiments, writing online:
We are heartbroken we won’t be able to see you tonight at Lovers & Friends due to the possibility of dangerous winds. We know that many of you traveled far and wide to be here. The show would have also marked our last before we shift gears to the summer leg of the tour. We trust in God’s plan and find light in knowing we’ll be together again soon. We love you and are so grateful for you.
For singer Brandy, she hopped on Instagram to share her disappointment:
It’s 10:05 and I should be stepping on the stage to perform for you all but sadly due to weather, the festival was canceled. I know many of you came from far and are so disappointed to hear the news just as I did last night; I worked really hard this past month, it was a lot of pressure but I was ready to give you a great show! Thank you to my entire team for your amazing work helping bring the vision to life. I hope one day sooner I can share with you all what we had planned!
I’d rather be with all of you tonight but I know safety must come first. Thank you @loversandfriendsfest for allowing me a full day to rehearse this week. Your team and tech staff were so helpful, I appreciate the professionalism and dedication throughout it all. We were about to live it up on that Crunk Stage! Love you all.
Singer Tank also shared his two cents in a somewhat comical post to Instagram: “LOVERS AND FRIENDS CANCELLED!!!.. What ima do wit all this smoke i brought??”
However, folks online weren’t too keen on looking at the cancelled event as a laughing matter:
“Imagine flying all the way to Vegas for that festival and soon as you get off the plane they email you that there’s no lovers OR friends,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
“Something about Lovers & Friends has always felt unsettling to me. Like I know it’s a real festival but something in the milk ain’t clean over there,” wrote another.
“Lovers & Friends festival owe people way more than refunds and apologies canceling last minute lol. Flights and hotels were booked. People are already there,” said another.
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