Even the star-studded lineup of Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, and Lil Wayne couldn’t sway Mother Nature, as the Lovers & Friends Festival was abruptly canceled due to severe weather.
The announcement came late Friday night, just hours before the all-day outdoor festival was set to kick off at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Organizers, who were prepared for a windy day, had to pivot when the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning. With expectations of sustained winds reaching 30-35 mph and gusts exceeding 60 mph, organizers decided it was best to cancel for the safety of fans, artists, and staff.
The lineup also included the Backstreet Boys, Fat Joe, Gwen Stefani, Nas, Ludacris, Nelly, Rick Ross, Robin Thicke, TLC, T-Pain, Timbaland, and more. The last-minute cancellation means many artists were already in Las Vegas, and fans were either there or en route. The likelihood of rescheduling and maintaining the same lineup seems slim, and ticketholders will receive a full refund within 30 days. Unfortunately, many fans will still incur costs for airfare and hotels.
