Morgan Wallen cancels second Pittsburgh show amid threat of inclement weather
With the threat of severe weather tonight in the Pittsburgh area, the second of two Morgan Wallen shows scheduled to take place at Acrisure Stadium has been canceled.
According to a post on Instagram by Wallen, the decision was made in consultation with multiple parties.
Wallen played his first show on Friday night at Acrisure Stadium, which saw local legend, former WWE superstar, and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle join him on stage.
Wallen responds to criticism of cancellation
Wallen also responded to criticism he faced for canceling his Saturday night show.
"I did the best I could with the information I had in that moment," Wallen said in a video posted to his Instagram story Saturday evening. "I've been seeing a lot of nonsense about me that is simply not true, and I just wanted to clear the air. I think my true fans know that that's not how I operate in general, but I had to say it."
The announcement about the cancellation came shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday.
"After talking with local officials and my team, there is no choice but to cancel tonight's show due to severe adverse weather conditions expected throughout the rest of the day and night," the post read. "Safety for my fans and crew is the highest priority. Refunds available at point of purchase."
Wallen did not specify which officials he spoke with. Strong storms moved into the Pittsburgh area around 2:15 p.m., but had dissipated by 4 p.m. Scattered strong storms impacted the region later in the evening, though most stayed south of Pittsburgh.
On the North Shore, Wallen fans who had planned to go to the show continued the party in the parking lots, tailgating for hours.
"I think it's kind of crazy. I mean, if you look out, it's beautiful, blue skies, sunshine," said Richie Donato. "I think they called it way too early for it to be canceled."
Another fan disagreed.
"Obviously, they know more than me, so if they think it's the right call, then maybe it is," said Joey Asvestas.
Wallen said his team approached him on his bus in the morning to say they'd been consulting with local officials, and that he should cancel his show that night. Wallen said he asked "why" and was told strong winds would be in the area.
"So that's what I did, and that was the information I had in the moment, and I trusted my team," Wallen said.
He acknowledged that at the time of the video, the wind "hasn't gotten to Pittsburgh yet," while adding it has impacted others in the state.
"So my heart goes out to all those affected by it," Wallen said.
Storm damage reports came in from multiple counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. They included a home that lifted off the ground and moved off its foundation with the homeowners inside.
Just south of the state in Morgantown, West Virginia, five people were taken to hospitals after a tent lifted off the ground during West Virginia's NCAA super regional baseball game against Cal-Poly.
"The truth of the matter is I have a large stage that in those conditions could become fatal to a lot of folks around it," Wallen said.
Busy weekend in Pittsburgh
Wallen's two shows were just a part of what is a busy weekend in the city, which includes the start of the Three Rivers Arts Festival and the Pittsburgh Pride Festival.
The return of the Three Rivers Arts Festival marks the grand opening of its new home at Arts Landing. The festival will be taking place across two weekends.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pride Festival got underway at noon on Saturday in Allegheny Commons Park on the North Side.
The annual Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade is set for Sunday at noon in Downtown Pittsburgh.
