Nicki Minaj Cancels Headlining Set at SAGA Festival Due to Security Concerns

SAGA Festival has been dealt a second blow this weekend after Nicki Minaj canceled her appearance due to security concerns in Romania.

Romania’s SAGA Festival has been running all weekend, with performances from some of the scene’s biggest artists, such as Armin van Buuren, James Hype, ARTBAT, and more, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing. On Friday, Hardwell canceled his set after telling the crowd that he had not been paid and that production issues prevented him from performing at the level he wanted to. Today, the overall headliner for the festival, Nicki Minaj, has also bowed out.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce Nicki Minaj has just cancelled her performance due to concerns for her and her team’s well-being in Romania,” the statement from SAGA Festival reads. “The news has left us all devastated, and we know it’s a huge disappointment for all of you, just as it is for us.”

Nicki Minaj announced that she was canceling the performance on her social media channels earlier today. “I have been advised by my security detail not to travel to Romania’s festival tonight due to safety concerns regarding protests in the area,” she said. “I look forward to seeing you all at another time.” Minaj went on to explain that she needed to make “sound decisions” regarding safety so that she and her team could make it home to their families. Her upcoming performance in London at Wireless Festival is still planned to take place.

According to Crisis24 activists in Romania have planned a march from Victory Square to Constitution Square in Bucharest on July 8. According to them, while disruptions are possible from this protest, the demonstration will “likely be peaceful.”

SAGA Festival will fully refund single-day Sunday tickets and Choose Your Day tickets that haven’t been scanned in. All scanned three-day Pink tickets and single-day Sunday tickets will be partially refunded.

Read the full statement from SAGA Festival and Nicki Minaj: