Global Citizen Fest With Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean Scrapped Due to Nor’easter

A powerful nor’easter is forcing the cancellation of major concerts and music festivals across the East Coast, including Saturday’s Global Citizen Festival in New York City.

Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean were set to headline the event in celebration of the 30th anniversary of The Fugees’ album The Score. Instead, organizers canceled the Sept. 26 event as the approaching storm threatened to bring dangerous winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding.

The lineup also included Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Victoria Monét, YEONJUN, YOSHIKI, plus Alicia Keys & Friends.

The festival was set to take place on the Great Lawn in Central Park. But Global Citizen announced the cancellation Friday after consulting with city leaders and the Department of Parks & Recreation.

“Forecasts predict dangerous conditions and circumstances in which we cannot safely bring tens of thousands of Global Citizens, artists, crew, vendors, partners, and staff onto the Great Lawn, let alone all of the equipment required,” the organization said in a statement.

According to published reports, the event was expected to draw at least 50,000 music fans. Organizers said it was the first cancellation in the festival’s 14-year history. Ticket buyers will receive automatic refunds.

Other events affected 
Pop star Ed Sheeran, who’s been at the center of a political storm, announced his Friday and Saturday concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, would be scrapped because of severe weather warnings across New England. The stadium said refunds will be issued through the original point of purchase.

All Things Go NYC: The festival canceled all three days of its Sept. 25–27 run at New York’s Forest Hills Stadium because of the forecast.

CBGB Festival: The Saturday event planned for Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn was also canceled. “The safety of our fans, the artists, and local crews is our top priority. Thank you to the fans and all those involved who have supported the shows,” the festival said in a statement.

Oceans Calling: Organizers canceled the three-day festival in Ocean City, Maryland, saying tides, flooding and high winds prevented them from safely continuing.

The planned lineup included Dave Matthews Band, Mumford & Sons and Twenty One Pilots. According to the festival website, some attendees paid more than $7,000 for a 3-day VIP pass. Tickets purchased through Front Gate Tickets will be automatically refunded within 30 days.

What is a nor’easter?
A nor’easter is a storm that develops along North America’s East Coast, according to the National Weather Service. The name comes from the northeast winds that typically blow across coastal areas.

While often associated with snow, the storms can happen at any time of the year and are known to bring heavy rain, rough seas and flooding.

Forecast
Conditions are expected to “steadily deteriorate” as the storm gains strength, ABC7 New York reports. The worst of it is expected from Saturday into early Sunday before the storm weakens.

Wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph are expected, with gusts above 60 mph possible in some coastal areas. The storm could also bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to the region.

Safety Warnings
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to stay indoors. “Don’t travel if you don’t have to. Never drive or walk through floodwater. Call 911 if you are in danger, and report nonemergency issues to 311,” his office wrote on social media.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu warned residents the storm could bring heavy rains, damaging winds, and flooding. Her office advised residents to “be prepared, limit travel, and stay safe.”