Music icon angers fans after performing to near-empty stadium at 3.30am
The 90s icon is known for her tendency to be fashionably late but while at the New Orleans festival, her already late-night set was delayed by two hours.
By her 2.30am start time, most fans had called it a night, meaning the 83,000 capacity Superdome venue was nearly empty when she finished at 3.37am.
Lauryn, 50, put on a show regardless of the waning crowd and belted out hits like Ready or Not and Killing Me Softly to close Essence Festival's first day.
While she is notorious for her poor time keeping, the blame for this two-hour shift was not laid at her feet.
Instead, the entirety of Friday's Evening Concert Series seemed to be running late, with GloRilla finishing her set at 10pm — 45 minutes into the next scheduled act.
From the start things reportedly went awry, having been due to kick off at 7.10pm with Psyrin for a 20 minute set ahead of Lucky Dave at 7.30pm.
The lineup included Coco Jones, The Isley Brothers, and Babyface, who all should have finished before 11.15pm for penultimate act Maxwell to start.
However, the Ascension singer, 52, was not on stage until 12.55am – a whopping hour and 40 minutes after he was due to start.
Maxwell's stage was reportedly cleared around 2am, with Lauryn finally able to perform around half an hour later.
'Where is Lauryn,' asked TikTok user morgand.23 who posted a video of the half-empty stadium and revealed how late it was.
For the eighth year, 150,000 festival goers will descend on Glasgow Green from 11-13 July to see the liked of 50 Cent, Gracie Abrams and Biffy Clyro, and you could be there!
Metro has teamed up with Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT Festival to offer four VIP tickets to one lucky winner.
For a chance to win this massive music prize, simply enter your details here.
You have until midnight on Sunday 6 July 2025 to enter using the form below. Entrants must be 18+. Good luck! T&Cs apply*.
Click here if form is not loading.
* Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 18:01 BST on 2 July 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 6 July 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/02/win-vip-tickets-see-50-cent-gracie-abrams-biffy-clyro-trnsmt-festival-2025-23539991/ and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions is necessary to enter the promotion. There will be one (1) winner. The winner will win four (4) VIP weekend tickets for TRNSMT Festival, running from 11th – 13th July 2025 at Glasgow Green, in Glasgow ('Prize'). Proof of age and photographic ID are required for entry for all guests (the guests of the winner must be at least 16 years old at the time of entry). The Prize, including entry and attendance at TRSNMT festival, is subject to and governed by the Promoter's full ticket terms and conditions. 1 prize available. 1 entry per person. Full T&Cs apply, see here.
Brooklynsd said: 'This messes everything up. Fans waiting and even the workers having to wait until the nights festivities are over. Production crew has to wait until the end too.
'She's so inconsiderate. I'm a fan of her music that's why I'd stream it and never go to a show.'
Tommmm added: 'Saw the Fugees back in the day and tried to see her once and learned my lesson when she cancelled four hours after it was supposed to start.'
'That's not ok and people paid to see her,' shared Prissy as Craig joked: 'Early for Lauryn Hill.'
Fans commented how 'she's been doing this for years now' and that those waiting had 'no one to blame but themselves'.
'This is y'alls fault, yall know Lauryn is known for being late,' wrote Nico Rhonni as Mr Bing added: 'She does this at every show'.
A Lauryn fan page defended her and said: 'Uhuh Essence Fest started late. Nothing was on time. She was not late. Let's not do this.'
This comes after the Fu-Gee-La hitmaker cancelled the US leg of the Miseducation Anniversary concert series two years ago.
In a statement at the time, she wrote: 'The trust and faith I have in my intentions and my commitment to my art seem to have been overshadowed by this unfortunate portrayal.'
The Fugees — which consisted of Lauryn, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel — clarified this was due to poor ticket sales before Pras took a stance against his bandmates. More Trending
The 52-year-old musician launched legal action against Lauryn for fraud and breach of contract as they shortened their 2023 tour.
There have been no updates since the case was launched in December 2024, meanwhile, Pras is awaiting sentencing after being convicted on 10 counts of corruption the year before.
He appealed to President Donald Trump to grant him a pardon over the charges, which involve the $4.5billion (£3.5billion) looting of Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, 1MDB.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Silentnight unlocks the secret to sleeping soundly when camping this festival season
MORE: Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong kicks fan off stage for playing Oasis song
MORE: Not over Glastonbury? Win VIP tickets to see 50 Cent, Gracie Abrams and Biffy Clyro at TRNSMT Festival 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
ELO star Jeff Lynne issues health update after cancelling huge farewell gig in Hyde Park
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ELO frontman Jeff Lynne has given a health update a week after his band's farewell gig at BST was cancelled. The 77-year-old musician was taken ill just minutes before his band were due to take the stage in Manchester last Friday and it led to the Sunday show in London being pulled. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Jeff Lynne is recuperating from a nasty infection Credit: Getty 3 He issued this statement to ELO fans Credit: Instagram Now, Jeff has issued a statement on Instagram, telling fans: "I am now at home recuperating. "I was absolutely gutted to have to cancel the final two shows. "I send my heartfelt thanks to all of the fans as well as my band and crew for all their support and love." Fans continued to share their well wishes. One commented: "We love you, Jeff! Get well soon." Another said: "I hope you get better soon, Jeff. I just wanted to let you know that apologies are not needed. Your music has been the soundtrack to my life from the 60s to the present day. Thank you for the memories." A third posted: "You've dedicated years to the music industry and have given us great memories, music and entertainment through it all, we all love and support you no matter what. Get better soon." Jeff's Electric Light Orchestra were set to headline a stellar day of classic rock in the capital featuring The Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison. It would have been the culmination of their Over And Out Tour, which began last March. However, he was unable to perform on the advice of doctors following a "systemic infection". Electric Light Orchestra Cancels Manchester Farewell Show as Jeff Lynne Falls Ill A statement from organisers said: "Following the news that Jeff Lynne's ELO will not be able to perform at BST Hyde Park due to medical reasons, Sunday 13 July's event will sadly be cancelled. "Ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details." It added: "Tonight's performance marks the final night of an incredible edition of BST Hyde Park and we look forward to seeing everyone next year." It remains uncertain if Jeff and the band will plan another farewell gig in the future. Jeff, who formed ELO in 1970 with Roy Wood, previously said how Hyde Park held a special place in his heart. He said: 'My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014. It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. 'We couldn't be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, 'we're gonna do it One More Time!'' Earlier this month, Jeff was forced to play without a guitar in his home city of Birmingham after breaking his hand. He told fans on the night, "nothing would keep me away from you". Last May, the band suffered tragedy when keyboard player Richard Tandy died. Jeff led the tributes for his friend, who first joined the band in 1971, saying: "He was a remarkable musician and friend and I'll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together. "Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family."
Time Out
2 days ago
- Time Out
London now has a new bookshop totally dedicated to romance novels
Being out and about in London, chances are you've spotted someone reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series by Sarah J Maas. These fantasy books, filled with faeries, hunters and X-rate scenes, first blew up on a literary corner of TikTok (AKA BookTok), and now you can't catch the tube in the capital without seeing someone reading it. Now London has its first ever bookshop dedicated entirely to these kinds of romance books, as Saucy Books in Notting Hill officially opened at the end of last month. While these kinds of books are often called 'smut' or 'fairy porn' (many of them are packed full of NSFW scenes), they are extremely popular, particularly among young women. According to data gathered from 7,000 British booksellers, in 2024 there were record sales of 'romance and sagas' books, making up to £69 million. Sales of these 'romantasy' books even pushed UK fiction revenue above £1 billion for the first time. 'The popularity of the store speaks for itself,' Sarah Maxwell, the founder of Saucy Books, told the Guardian. 'We even had to ticket our first week and give time slots to customers.' Saucy books even has a corner of the store dedicated entirely to erotic fiction, which Maxwell calls the 'smut hut'. Maxwell told the Guardian that she thinks sexism, as well as 'snobbery and bias', is stopping these books, that are mainly read by women, from being as respected as they should be. 'I think there's an inherent misogyny around it. A lot of the time, the sorts of things that women like across arts and culture tends to get discounted. These books are about the female perspective and female gaze when most media is through the male gaze,' Maxwell said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saucy Books (@saucybooks) Saucy Books is open at 232 Westbourne Park Road, W11 1EP now. Yungblud is opening a new music venue in central London.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Jeff Lynne ‘gutted' to cancel shows but is now recuperating at home
The 77-year-old musician was forced to withdraw from BST Hyde Park on July 13 following advice from doctors, who have been treating him for a 'systemic infection'. The headline performance had been billed as a 'final goodbye' for the band following their farewell US tour, Over And Out. — Jeff Lynne's ELO (@JeffLynnesELO) July 18, 2025 In a statement shared to social media on Thursday, Lynne said: 'I am now at home recuperating. 'I was absolutely gutted to have to cancel the final two shows. 'I send my heartfelt thanks to all of the fans as well as my band and crew for all their support and love.' His message follows the decision by BST organisers to cancel the entire day's event at Hyde Park after ELO's withdrawal. Ticket holders are being refunded and were contacted directly by ticket agents. An earlier statement from the festival said Lynne was 'heartbroken' to miss the show, and would not be rescheduling as he focuses on recovery. It comes after the band – known for their 1970s hits including Mr Blue Sky, Livin' Thing and Telephone Line – also pulled out of a performance in Manchester on July 10. ELO first formed in Birmingham in 1970 and were known for blending orchestral arrangements with futuristic rock. The group split in 1986 but was revived by Lynne in 2014, leading to a celebrated comeback set at BST Hyde Park that year. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and have had multiple UK chart-topping albums. Lynne was made an OBE in 2020 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.
