An unexpected storm put a dampener on pop star Dua Lipa’s sold-out concert in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night, to celebrate the first anniversary of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and forced organisers to postpone the show.
Lipa herself confirmed the bad news: “I am so sad to announce that due to bad weather conditions, tonight’s show at the Louvre in Abu Dhabi has been cancelled. I really wanted to sing and dance for you. Hopefully I will be back very soon,” she posted, along with a video of strong winds and lightning lashing the venue at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
“We regret to inform you that the Dua Lipa at Louvre Abu Dhabi has been postponed due to health and safety precautions arising from dangerous weather conditions. Keeping fans safe remains our primary concern,” concert organiser Flash Entertainment tweeted, minutes before Lipa’s show was set to begin. “
Parts of the UAE witnessed strong rain along with winds on Sunday night, forcing authorities to send out safety alerts.
"Due to bad weather stay indoors and please don't go outside,” the Abu Dhabi Police posted. Similar alerts from Dubai Police and Sharjah Police were also issued.
Sunday night’s concert was to be Lipa’s second gig in the city after her last performance in February at the du Arena. The British singer, one of 2018’s break-out artists, was to close the four-day celebrations marking one year since the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Tickets to Sunday’s concert sold out within 24 hours, the venue announced last week.
The 23-year-old wasn’t going to let the cancellation dampen her spirit.
“Today was actually really special. I got to hang out in Abu Dhabi and see the Louvre here and I had a really fun soundcheck while prepping for the show. It’s just a shame the weather took a turn for the worst,” she posted.
“Sandstorms cancelled the show, but I won’t let it cancel this killer frock,” she posted from her hotel room later in the evening.
Flash Entertainment said they were hoping to reschedule the concert at “a later date” and referred fans who’ve bought tickets to customerservice@ticketmaster.ae.
