Katy Perry canceled her headlining performance at Belgium’s Werchter Boutique festival Saturday, informing fans that authorities mandated the cancellation mere hours before her scheduled stage time due to approaching severe weather.
The 41-year-old pop sensation, set to close out the festival following Pitbull’s performance, shared the disappointing update via Instagram, explaining that officials gave her no option to proceed. She had been backstage preparing when the directive was issued.
“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 posted.This comes as the hitmaker called out her exes in a song lyric.
She noted she was getting ready for the performance “when this news was delivered, and they gave me no choice.”
The cancellation follows recent controversy surrounding Katy’s appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The artist expressed empathy with disappointed concertgoers.
She recently appeared at the World Cup (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
“I am just as unhappy as you are,” she posted, describing the circumstances as “beyond my control” and emphasizing that attendee safety was paramount.
“I am sorry I can’t change the weather, and even sorrier that all of us can’t be together tonight.”
Perry, whose previous festival appearance dates back to 2009, indicated she had planned a nostalgic return. “I was even gonna wear the same outfit from that 2009 show again. I love you all, and please get home safe,” she concluded, adding a sad-face emoji. She also shared a snapshot of herself relaxing outside in striped sweatpants and a white robe, cigarette in hand, with her planned performance ensemble displayed nearby.
A statement was made by the festival (Image: Instagram)
Another picture captured the festival’s announcement that proceedings would conclude at 9 p. m., a full hour ahead of her scheduled appearance.
Event organizers attributed the decision to incoming thunderstorms.
The premature closure, they explained, was implemented to “ensure that the exit of visitors proceeds in a safe and orderly manner, allowing everyone to return home calmly. The safety and health of everyone present is always our top priority.”
Perry faces a busy summer schedule, with a performance at Depot Live’s Cardiff Castle show in Wales slated for June 30.
The cancellation occurred just two days following the debut of her Watch It Burn music video, interpreted by many as a pointed reference to former partner Orlando Bloom, with whom she ended her nine-year relationship last year. The former couple co-parents their 5-year-old daughter, Daisy.
The horror-influenced visual, featuring Perry’s transformation into a scorpion-human creature, generated excited responses from supporters, with one enthusiast declaring, “SHES SO BACK, ABSOLUTE CINEMA.”