Festival-goers at Leeds were left stunned and angry after rapper Travis Scott ended his headline performance half an hour early without warning.
The American star, 34, was billed as Friday’s main act at Bramham Park, returning to the festival for the first time since 2018. His show was advertised as his only European festival appearance this summer.
Scott took to the stage at 9.30pm and was expected to deliver a full 24-song set. But after just under an hour, he thanked the crowd, said “I love you so much. Goodbye,” and walked off.
Crowds initially thought it was part of the performance, with some believing he had stepped away for a costume change. But the lights came up, and a message appeared on the big screens urging fans to “respect our neighbours and leave quietly.”
Boos erupted from sections of the audience as the abrupt ending sank in.
Speaking to M10News, one festival-goer described it as “shocking and disappointing,” adding: “We waited all day for him. The show was great, but the way he left made no sense.”
Another fan said: “I honestly thought it was a joke when they told us it was over.”
Videos of the night quickly spread across social media, where angry attendees demanded answers. Several posts on X, formerly Twitter, asked Scott directly why he finished early.
“YOU LEFT 30 MINS EARLY. Please give Reading a full set,” wrote one user. Another added: “Any explanation why you cut it short?”
Hours later, Scott posted a message online celebrating the show but failed to explain the sudden ending. Instead, he asked fans who had footage of the intro to share it, calling the opening “mad wild.”
Speculation among fans suggested he may have been struck by a pyrotechnic on stage, although this has not been confirmed.
Scott is due to perform at Reading Festival tonight, where he will again headline. Organisers defended the artist’s creative choices in a statement to M10News, saying:
“Headliners at Reading and Leeds have creative control over their performances in order to bring their full artistic vision to life. Travis Scott’s European exclusive, closing performance at Reading Festival will be another exhilarating headline show.”
Scott has faced intense scrutiny in the past. In 2021, ten people were killed during a crowd surge at his Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas. He and promoters faced hundreds of lawsuits, but prosecutors later ruled he would not face criminal charges.
This weekend’s Leeds Festival also attracted attention beyond Scott’s set. Irish singer Hozier, another main performer, made headlines for political remarks during his appearance.
Calling for “a free Palestine,” Hozier praised musicians who use their platforms to “tell the truth in their music,” adding that true security “means a Palestine free from occupation and free to move toward meaningful self-determination.”
His set was not broadcast by the BBC, which later confirmed that the omission was due to an agreement with the artist in advance.
The broadcaster told M10News: “Viewers can enjoy a wide range of performances and highlights from Reading and Leeds Festival on BBC iPlayer, BBC Music’s YouTube channel, BBC One and Radio 1. As mutually agreed ahead of Reading Festival, Hozier chose not to be included in the BBC’s coverage.”
M10News has contacted representatives for Travis Scott and Leeds Festival for further comment.
M10News Entertainment Desk | Contact: entertainment@m10news.com
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