Usher's Lovers & Friends canceled, music festival cites Las Vegas weather
Usher's Lovers & Friends music festival has been canceled, hours before it was set to begin.
Organizers for the Las Vegas festival, named after the singer's 2004 hit song with Ludacris and Lil Jon, shared a statement to the official website and to social media Friday.
"Lovers & Friends Festival organizers have been monitoring the weather for several days and proactively preparing for a windy Saturday," the statement read.
The R&B extravaganza, set to be held at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, could not go on after "the National Weather Service has now issued a High Wind Warning."
"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," the statement continued. "This was an incredibly heartbreaking decision to make as we are aware that fans have traveled from all over the world to enjoy this incredible lineup of superstars and have been looking forward to this event for several months. We’ve worked hard to create an amazing event for you, and we are just as disappointed as you are."
Dan Berc, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, confirmed to USA TODAY that winds of 25 to 35 mph were expected during the event with gusts of 55 mph possible.
Usher, who had teased a full performance of his "Confessions" album for the first time to celebrate its 20th anniversary, took to Instagram to share his feelings about the festival's cancellation.
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"Mannn ... I'm just as disappointed as you are," Usher wrote to his Instagram story Saturday. "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," he wrote. "I'll see you soon."
USA TODAY has reached out to Las Vegas city officials and Usher's rep for comment.
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Lovers and Friends lineup 2024 was set to have Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, TLC
The stacked lineup was supposed to feature Janet Jackson, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, TLC, Ludacris, Mary J. Blige, Gwen Stefani, Nas, Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado, Ciara, TLC, Timbaland and more.
Hours before the cancellation announcement, Furtado posted a video to her Instagram story of her rehearsing onstage at the festival grounds, writing, "Can't wait to see you all tomorrow!"
Lovers & Friends ticket holders to receive refunds
Festival organizers said ticket holders "who purchased their tickets directly through Front Gate Tickets will receive a refund within 30 days to the original form of payment."
Contributing: Kim Willis, USA TODAY