Mac DeMarco posts statement about Primavera cancellation: “It was full pandemonium”
Indie artist Mac DeMarco has issued a statement regarding the vast cancellation of artists performing at Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona.
The festival, which was slated to be held on June 4th, was marred by harsh weather conditions and included multiple cancellations of acts like Doja Cat and Massive Attack. Now, DeMarco has taken to social media to talk about how poorly the entire festival was put together.
Despite not having played many festivals in recent years, DeMarco said he had been looking forward to getting back on stage, only to be greeted by “fucking wind and fucking rain”. While he still hoped the show could go ahead in some form, he expressed frustration that he was not even given the opportunity to perform a shortened set.
Having spoken to many fans beforehand, DeMarco said he was prepared to play a shortened set of as little as 15 minutes. However, he explained that the festival’s disorganisation made that impossible, adding: “Tried my best to figure out if we could play somewhere else last night too, but it was full pandemonium.”
DeMarco’s response comes after Alex G and Doja Cat posted their announcements about not being able to perform. In a statement, Massive Attack said that they were “devastated” about cancelling the set, saying that the show was an important milestone on their touring circuit this year and praising the diverse acts on the bill and their “solidarity with the Palestinian cause”.
Since then, the festival has released various statements apologising to the crowd that got soaked last night, saying, “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 plans to start refund proceedings starting on June 8th for those affected.
While the rest of the festival is expected to go on as planned, it hasn’t been without further complications. Even though Anna Von Hausswolff was expected to perform today, she has now announced that she has to cancel her performance due to a “sudden and serious medical emergency.”
As of now, the rest of the festival tonight is expected to go as planned, with performances by The Cure, Pink Panthress, and Ethel Cain.
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