Shakira performance for World Pride opening concert abruptly canceled due to technical issues
One day before the kickoff concert for World Pride 2025 in the nation’s capital, headlining performer Shakira has abruptly canceled due to equipment difficulties.“We are deeply disappointed that unforeseen circumstances have forced the cancellation” of the concert, the Capital Pride Alliance, the main World Pride organizer, said in a Friday statement.“Updates about the relocated Opening Ceremony program will be released as soon as they are finalized!”The multiplatinum singer had been scheduled to headline the opening celebrations Saturday night at Nationals Park.The reasons are apparently an extension of equipment issues related to her Thursday night concert in Boston’s Fenway Park, which was also canceled hours before it was set to begin.A Friday night concert at Fenway for country star Jason Aldean was also canceled.“Due to complications with the previous show in Boston, Shakira’s full tour production cannot be transported to Washington, DC in time for her scheduled performance at Nationals Park,” the Capital Pride Alliance statement said.
“Despite every effort to make it happen, it is not possible to move forward as planned.”The Alliance noted that the full slate of citywide events was still on for opening weekend, and said the kickoff ceremony would be relocated and reorganized.The cancellation presents a further challenge for the Alliance, but at least a nonpolitical one.Organizers have already said they expected international attendance to measurably suffer as a result of concern and anger in the LGBTQ+ community over President Donald Trump’s policies.Trump’s public antipathy for trans protections and drag shows has already prompted two international LGBTQ+ organizations, Eagle Canada and the African Human Rights Coalition, to issue warnings against traveling to the US at all.The primary concern is that trans or nonbinary individuals would face trouble entering the country if passport control officers enforce the administration...