Organizers of a star-studded Las Vegas music festival canceled the event on Friday, less than 24 hours before it was scheduled to start.
The one-day Lovers & Friends Festival, which was scheduled for Saturday, was canceled after the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for the area with gusts as high as 60 miles per hour possible.
The festival had a massive lineup filled with stars such as Alicia Keys, Usher, Janet Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Lil Wayne, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Nas and more. Organizers said ticket-buyers should receive their refunds within the next 30 days.
“Mannn…I’m just as disappointed as you are,” Usher said on X, formerly Twitter. “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 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.”
With such a short notice before the cancellation, festival-goers were obviously disappointed.
“Bruh I’m literally on the plane landing in 20 min,” said X user velvetluxurii.
“After going through a cancer scare and finally beating it. Me and my wife decided to celebrate by attending this year’s lovers and friends 2024,” said X user Jrmendez68. “We literally just got here to Las Vegas and now I can’t celebrate. This is the saddest news man I spent so much to get here”
The situation is similar to one in Ventura from last month, when the Grateful Dead tribute festival, “Skull & Roses,” was canceled last minute due to financial troubles. In the initial cancellation announcement, organizers said not all ticket-buyers would be refunded but that decision was reversed. More than 90% of purchases have now been refunded.
