Katy Perry Cancels Belgium Gig Due to Lightning Storm Threat

JAKARTA - Katy Perry has apologized to tens of thousands of fans after her appearance as the headliner of the Werchter Boutique music festival in Belgium, last weekend, was canceled after extreme weather warnings appeared.

The 41-year-old singer was originally scheduled to be the main star at the peak of the festival held at the Werchter Festivalpark. However, the organizers made a quick decision to end the event early to avoid potential danger from the threat of a powerful lightning storm.

The organizers emphasized that the festival must be completed immediately after Pitbull's performance. This early evacuation step was taken to ensure that all visitors can leave the location safely, orderly, and calmly.

"The festival will end after Pitbull's performance. Katy Perry's concert will not continue," said the organizers, quoted by NME, Monday, June 29.

"By ending the festival early, we can ensure that the process of returning visitors takes place safely and orderly, so that everyone can return home calmly. The safety and health of all those present is always our top priority," he continued.

Katy Perry herself expressed her disappointment through a post on her personal Instagram account. The singer of "Firework" told that she was already in the backstage area and was preparing when the cancellation decision from the local government authorities was delivered.

"Unfortunately, my performance at Werchter Boutique tonight cannot be carried out due to the cancellation of the mandate from the government for the safety of the masses due to the upcoming bad weather," said Perry.

"I was backstage in the middle of a hair and makeup session when this news was delivered, and they didn't give me a choice. I'm as disappointed as you guys are," he added.

He also added, this situation is completely out of his control. However, he strongly agreed that public safety cannot be bargained for by anything.

"Unfortunately, this is beyond my control, but the safety of 55,000 people from you is always the first and most important," he said.

This cancellation is emotional because Katy Perry has been looking forward to returning to the Werchter Boutique stage after a 17-year wait. As a form of nostalgia, she even planned to wear the exact same outfit as she used when performing at the festival in 2009.

Shortly after the festival area was evacuated, Werchter Boutique confirmed that a severe lightning storm had indeed crossed the area. Thanks to the quick response from the entire team, a mass evacuation was successfully carried out without any reports of injuries.