The Lovers & Friends Festival scheduled for Saturday in Las Vegas was canceled at the last minute due to forecasts of potentially destructive wind conditions.
Organizers announced the cancellation via Instagram late Friday night, citing a High Wind Warning from the National Weather Service that predicted sustained winds of 30-35 mph with gusts potentially exceeding 60 mph at the festival grounds.
“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,” organizers stated.
The news was disappointing for the thousands of fans who had traveled to Las Vegas for the massive one-day event featuring iconic performers like Janet Jackson, Usher, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Lil Wayne, Gwen Stefani, and the Backstreet Boys among many others.
Organizers acknowledged the “heartbreaking” last-minute decision, especially for those who booked travel and accommodations. However, prioritizing safety in the face of forecasted dangerous wind conditions proved unavoidable.
“We’ve worked hard to create an amazing event for you, and we are just as disappointed as you are,” they said, confirming all ticket holders who purchased via the official vendor will receive automatic refunds within 30 days.
Apparently, this is just the latest of many hurdles the Lovers & Friends Festival has faced in its short history. Previous iterations were marred by false active shooter scares, concerns over appropriating song titles for branding, and even doubts over whether announced acts had actually confirmed performances.
