Barcelona’s Primavera Sound festival was forced to evacuate some of its stages Thursday — including canceling headlining sets by Doja Cat and Massive Attack — due to severe weather.
Sets by Alex G, Mac DeMarco, and Bad Gyal were also canceled after heavy rain and wind gusts made performances at some of the festival’s stages “impossible”; however, the weather did not impact a handful of stages, which resumed sets after the initial severe weather dissipated.
“Late yesterday evening, at around 9:00 pm and with a yellow weather warning from Meteocat and AEMET, the weather conditions forced the cancellation of part of the programme for Thursday at Primavera Sound Barcelona for safety reasons,” Primavera organizers said in a statement.
“Firstly, the rain and strong gusts of wind, reaching up to 80 km per hour, forced the cancellation of Alex G’s performance on the Revolut stage (8:50 pm) and the temporary evacuation of the area. The established safety protocol dictates that it is not safe to hold concerts in such strong winds.”
The festival then attempted to push back the start of Doja Cat and Massive Attack’s headlining sets at the Revolut and Estrella Damm stages, respectively, until after the storm passed. However, the rain persisted. “As these were the two stages that were most exposed to the rain and the wind due to their location and size, safety concerns arising from the weather conditions meant that it was not possible to guarantee safety for the continuation of performances on either stage, despite all the efforts made,” organizers said.
“We understand and share the frustration and disappointment of the audience regarding this situation, which is not what we had hoped for on the first day of Primavera Sound Barcelona 2026. The festival organizers followed the established safety protocols at all times and prioritized the safety of the audience, artists and staff above all else. We thank the audience for their understanding and confirm that, despite the difficulty of the situation, there were no serious incidents.”
On social media, Doja Cat — in full onstage attire —tearfully expressed her disappointment about her canceled headlining set. “The weather was not gonna get any better. I didn’t know that,” she said. “I don’t think anybody really, truly knew how bad it was gonna get, but it got bad. And it got bad on the wrong day.”
The singer continued, “I really wanted to see you guys tonight and I love you so much. I do. Regardless of whatever you fuck…whatever the fuck has happened. But I do love you. I’m absolutely crushed, and torn to pieces about the whole thing.”
Doja Cat added on X, “Barcelona i am fully dressed and ready to go to stage but it’s just not safe enough to continue the show tonight. I’m so sorry that this is how this shit has to be right now. I will think of everything I can under the sun to make it up to you. Please stay safe and warm I will see you again I promise.”
The weather is more promising for Friday’s slate at Primavera, which includes the Cure, Addison Rae, PinkPantheress, and Ethel Cain.
