Katy Perry Apologises After Belgium Festival Performance Cancelled Over Safety Concerns
Key Developments:
- Katy Perry’s headline performance at Belgium’s Werchter Boutique festival was cancelled due to severe weather and public safety concerns.
- Belgian authorities ordered the early closure of the festival amid forecasts of severe thunderstorms following an intense European heatwave.
- The cancellation came days after Perry released her new single Watch It Burn, with her next scheduled performance remaining on track.
Brussels (Entertainment Weekly) — June 29, 2026: International pop star Katy Perry has apologised to thousands of fans after her scheduled headline performance at Belgium’s Werchter Boutique festival was cancelled at the last minute due to severe weather concerns and official public safety directives.
Festival organisers announced the cancellation shortly before Perry was due to perform, saying authorities had ordered an early closure of the event because of forecasts predicting severe thunderstorms later in the night. The decision affected approximately 55,000 festival-goers.
Addressing fans through social media, Perry expressed disappointment over the unexpected cancellation.
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“Sadly my set @WerchterBoutique tonight can’t happen due to a government mandated cancellation because of the incoming inclement weather and crowd safety concerns,” Perry wrote.
She added, “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.”
The singer also revealed she had already completed preparations for the show when informed of the decision.
“I was backstage at the show in the middle of hair and makeup when this news was delivered, and they gave me no choice,” she said, adding that she had planned to wear the same outfit from her previous appearance at the festival 17 years ago.
Katy Perry visits Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2025. CREDIT: Dave Benett/Getty.
Festival organisers later issued their own statement, explaining that the decision followed official guidance from local authorities.
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“This decision was taken in response to the weather forecast, which predicts severe thunderstorms… The safety and health of everyone present is always our top priority,” the organisers said.
The cancellation came as large parts of Europe continued to experience an intense early-summer heatwave. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exceptionally high temperatures have contributed to a significant rise in heat-related illnesses and deaths across several European countries, prompting governments to issue public safety warnings and cancel or modify outdoor events.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that Europe is warming faster than any other continent and stressed the need for stronger preparedness against extreme weather events. Health authorities have continued advising the public to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure during periods of extreme heat.
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Despite the setback in Belgium, Perry’s ongoing tour schedule remains unchanged. The singer is expected to continue with her next scheduled performance at Cardiff Castle in Wales, while promoting her recently released single, Watch It Burn.
Katy Perry in 2025. CREDIT: Kevin Mazur/Getty.
The Werchter Boutique festival featured performances by several international artists, including Pitbull, Mika, James Arthur, Pommelien Thijs, Roxy Dekker and Emmy d’Arc. Organisers ended the event earlier than planned to allow visitors to leave safely before worsening weather conditions.
The cancellation marks Perry‘s first scheduled appearance at the Belgian festival since 2009 and has generated widespread reaction among fans, many of whom expressed disappointment while also supporting the organisers’ decision to prioritise public safety.
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