Reneé Rapp has confirmed on an Instagram Story that she will not perform at Leeds Festival today, just moments after they announced that she would open the festival due to delays caused by weather disruption.
“Leeds, the weather has been too dangerous for our crew of myself to set up/access the stage all morning,” she writes. “I’m so sad to miss you but your safety and my team’s safety is of the utmost importance and I can’t risk that. Love you down and see you at Reading <3”.
Rapp was originally set to perform on the Leeds main stage at 3.10pm today. Instead, Nottingham-based rapper Bru-C has taken her spot to kick off the festival proper. As per her message, Rapp will head to Reading this weekend as scheduled.
Unfortunately, Storm Lilian has sunk its claws to ensure another cancellation. The festival has been affected by the “extreme weather” conditions on its opening day, with campers being told this morning to secure their tents and stay inside them to remain safe, amid gusts of up to 60mph and a yellow weather warning.
Shortly afterwards, the festival was forced to announce that two of its stages – the BBC Radio 1 Stage and the new Aux Stage – would not be hosting any performances on Friday (August 23).
The main arena at Bramham Park had originally been scheduled to open its gates at 11am, but this was also delayed because of the weather, but now the news has come that the arena will be opening “between 1.45pm and 2pm”.
The festival has said that further information regarding the status of the Festival Republic Stage will be coming soon, and has thanked festival-goers for their patience.
You can see the full lineup of bands and artists scheduled to play the rest of the day at Leeds, and at Reading, here.
The festival boasts Fred Again.., Lana Del Rey, Liam Gallagher, Catfish And The Bottlemen, Blink-182 and Gerry Cinnamon as its six headliners this year.
Raye, Spiritbox, Fontaines D.C., Reneé Rapp, Pendulum, Denzel Curry, Kenny Beats, Nia Archives, Two Door Cinema Club, Neck Deep, The Wombats, Ashnikko, Rachel Chinouriri, Hak Baker, The Last Dinner Party and more are also expected to play.
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