Katy Perry forced to cancel Belgian festival show hours before taking the stage
Katy Perry has apologized after her festival performance in Belgium was canceled hours before she was due to take the stage due to severe weather. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
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Katy Perry was forced to cancel her headlining performance at the Werchter Boutique in Belgium just hours before she was due to take the stage on Saturday after severe weather prompted authorities to close the outdoor festival.
The 41-year-old pop star apologized to fans in an Instagram post and expressed disappointment that the series would not go forward, stating that she “had no choice” in the decision.
“Unfortunately my set @WerchterBoutique It cannot take place tonight due to government-mandated cancellation due to impending severe weather and crowd safety concerns,” Perry wrote.
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“I was backstage in the middle of hair and makeup when this news broke and they gave me no other choice,” she explained. “I’m as unhappy as you.”
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“Unfortunately, this is out of my control, but the safety of your 55,000 is always first and foremost,” Perry added. “I’m sorry I couldn’t change the mood, and even more sorry we couldn’t all be together tonight.”
“I was looking forward to returning after 17 years, even wearing the same outfit from the 2009 show. I love you all and please come home safe.”
Perry’s performance marked his first return to the Festivalpark Werchter arena since July 2009. The singer performed at the four-day annual Rock Werchter festival during Hello Katy, her first solo tour following the release of her breakthrough album “One of the Boys” in 2008.
Perry performs during The Hello Katy Tour at the Rock Werchter Festival in Werchter, Belgium, on July 4, 2009. (Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)
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in the Instagram post. Perry also shared a backstage photo of herself sitting in a white dress over striped pants, her unused stage costume hanging next to her. The Grammy Award nominee’s 90-minute closing set at the one-day Werchter Boutique festival was scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. following Pitbull’s performance.
The “Roar” singer also included the official statement of Werchter Boutique in his post, saying, “Werchter Boutique will end after Pitbull’s concert. After consultations with the Rock Werchter security committee, where all officials and the organization are represented, it was decided that Werchter Boutique will end at 21.00 this evening.”
The statement continued: “This decision was taken in response to weather forecasts calling for severe thunderstorms from midnight at the earliest.” “The governor of Flemish Brabant also issued a BE-Alert on this issue. The festival will end after Pitbull’s performance. Katy Perry’s concert will not continue.”
Perry performs at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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“By ending the festival early, we can ensure that visitors exit in a safe and orderly manner and that everyone returns home calmly. The safety and health of everyone present is always our top priority.”
The cancellation comes just weeks after Perry performed at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Los Angeles, California. Perry performed the first live performance of her song “Wonder”, which she released in 2024, with 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius.
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Perry’s boyfriend Justin Trudeau also attended the opening ceremony to support her. (Charles Sykes/AP)
Perry’s boyfriend Justin Trudeau also attended the ceremony to support her. Following his performance, Perry joined the former Canadian Prime Minister at a luxury lodge to watch the U.S. soccer team’s opening match against Paraguay.
The couple, who went public with their relationship in December 2025, were seen holding hands, clapping and celebrating Team USA’s 4-1 victory.
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Earlier this week, Perry released her new single “Watch It Burn” and is currently touring Europe, performing at various festivals and solo concerts.
Perry’s next scheduled performance will be a headlining gig at DEPOT Live at Cardiff Castle, a summer concert series in Wales.
