Usher; Snoop Dogg; T-Pain. PHOTO:
UNIQUE NICOLE/WIREIMAGE; PHILLIP FARAONE/GETTY IMAGES FOR FLIPPER’S ROLLER BOOGIE PALACE; AARON J. THORNTON/WIREIMAGE
The cancellation of Lovers & Friends festival led to some impromptu performances.
After the one-day festival — which was supposed to take place in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 4 —was canceled due to extreme winds, per the official website, some of its performers decided to perform some surprise shows.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Usher played a surprise club performance at Jewel at Aria late on Friday, May 3 — his first since headlining the Super Bowl halftime show at Allegiant Stadium in February.
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During the set, Jermaine Dupri and Lil Jon hopped on the mic, while Victoria Monét appeared in the DJ booth.
Usher performs at the Aria Resort & Casino on May 3, 2024 in Las Vegas.
GABE GINSBERG/GETTY IMAGES FOR TAO GROUP HOSPITALITY
The next day, the “U Got It Bad” artist, 45, expressed his disappointment with the cancellation of Lovers & Friends.
”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,” he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Usher added, “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 R&B star wasn’t the only artist who tried to make up the cancellation to fans.
Snoop Dogg and T-Pain, who were slated to play Lovers & Friends, performed a surprise show on Saturday afternoon at the Ayu Dayclub at Resorts World, KSNV News 3 Las Vegas reported.
On Friday, May 3 — just one day prior to the festival — Lovers & Friends issued a statement on its official website canceling the event.
“Organizers have been monitoring the weather for several days and proactively preparing for a windy Saturday. However, the National Weather Service has now issued a High Wind Warning, including dangerous 30-35 mph sustained winds with gusts potentially more than 60 mph,” it said.
Festival organizers continued: “Following advice from the National Weather Service and in consultation with local public officials, we must make the safest decision for our fans, artists, and staff, and cancel tomorrow’s Lovers & Friends Festival.”
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T-Pain performs with Jelly Roll at the T-Mobile Mane Stage during the 2024 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2024 in Indio, California.
AMY SUSSMAN/GETTY
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Ultimately, they said it was a “heartbreaking decision” to cancel Lovers & Friends.
“We are aware that fans have traveled from all over the world to enjoy this incredible lineup of superstars and have been looking forward to this event for several months,” the statement read. “We’ve worked hard to create an amazing event for you, and we are just as disappointed as you are.”
According to festival organizers, ticket holders “will receive a refund within 30 days to the original form of payment.”