Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard
Disappointment rippled through the crowd at Primavera Sound this past Thursday (June 4) as festival organizers were forced to scrap headlining sets from Doja Cat and Massive Attack. The decision, necessitated by severe storms and high winds in Barcelona, left both the attendees and the performers feeling deeply disheartened.
Following the abrupt announcement, the artists took to social media to express their frustration. “Barcelona, I’m fully dressed and ready for the stage, but the conditions simply aren’t safe enough to proceed tonight,” Doja Cat shared via X. “I am heartbroken that it has to end this way, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make it up to you.”
The legendary trip-hop collective Massive Attack echoed these sentiments in a statement released on Instagram. Band members 3D and Daddy G noted their excitement to return to the festival, only to be met with unforeseen circumstances. “We understand that public safety—for the fans, staff, and crews—must always take precedence. However, it is deeply frustrating to be unable to connect with our audience during such chaotic moments.”
An visibly emotional Doja Cat later appeared on an Instagram livestream to address her fans directly. With her elaborate stage makeup partially obscured by tears, she reflected on the uncontrollable nature of the weather. “I genuinely wanted to perform for you tonight,” she confessed. “I’m completely torn apart by this. Please know that even though this wasn’t in my hands, I am so sorry we couldn’t make it happen.”
The festival’s opening day faced significant disruptions, with sets from artists like Alex G, Mac DeMarco, and Bad Gyal also suffering cancellations due to the volatile weather. In a formal update released on Friday (June 5), Primavera Sound management expressed their regret over the situation and confirmed that ticket holders would be eligible for refunds. They noted that despite the scale of the disruption, the evacuation was handled without serious incident.
Festival programming is set to resume as scheduled for the remainder of the event, with highly anticipated performances from The Cure, Skrillex, PinkPantheress, and others still on the horizon.
