The B-52s were forced to cancel their set at Frances’ Retro C Trop music festival Saturday due to severe weather just minutes before they were to go onstage.
Singer Fred Schneider took to social media to let fans know just how bad the situation at Château de Tilloloy became, calling it a “total disaster." He suggested the promoter wanted them to go on with the show despite the impending weather.
“First, there was lightning, but the promoter still had the crew set up the stage and told the band to get ready to perform," he wrote. "Luckily, Our tour manager, said to hold back 10 minutes because it’s not safe and we have to see what is going on with the storm. Then it was like a world wind hurricane force and heavy rain.”
He wrote the weather got so bad they got stuck at the grounds “because it was too dangerous to drive,” with the power also going out backstage.
“We felt terrible for the fans that have waited in the heat all day for us to perform," he continued, noting the fans got "very little warning to no warning" that they weren't safe.
He wrote that the storm was so bad it caused scaffolding to fall from the stage, destroying some of their equipment. He shared photos of all the destroyed equipment, including keyboards, mic stands and laptops, but also let fans know that “No one was hurt thank goodness.”
The band’s official Instagram account also posted a message to fans, noting they were sorry about the cancellation. "The storm made it impossible to continue, and the safety of our fans and everyone on site had to come first." The post included a photo of lightning striking while the band ahead of them played.