Alien Sound Festival in Naples has been postponed after its main stage collapsed during setup due to strong winds.
The Latin and electronic music event had been due to take place at the former NATO base in Bagnoli, Naples yesterday and today (July 4 and 5), with Ozuna, Gordo, Anuel AA and Myke Towers all set to perform.
However, footage emerged earlier this week showing the festival’s main stage collapsing while it was being built, after strong winds hit the city and wider province of Naples.
Lighting towers and other structures also reportedly came down during the extreme weather, causing serious damage to the site. No injuries were reported, with the stage area said to have been empty at the time of the collapse.
The festival had initially said they hoped the event would be able to go ahead as planned, but local authorities later stepped in to force the organisers to postpone the two-day event.
Alien Sound Festival will now be held as a single combined event on July 23, still at the former NATO base in Bagnoli. Tickets already purchased for July 4 and 5 will remain valid for the new date, while refunds will be available from July 24 through the original point of purchase.
In a statement, the festival said: “We know how much this situation may have caused inconvenience and disappointment.
“However, we would like to assure you that we did everything in our power to allow the festival to take place on the originally scheduled dates. We thank you for the trust, patience and support you continue to show us.”
There have been a number of weather-related festival disruptions this summer, with Massive Attack, Alex G and Mac DeMarco’s sets at Primavera Sound being cancelled last month due to “adverse weather conditions”, and Katy Perry’s Werchter Boutique set falling foul of thunderstorms.
Ozuna and Anuel AA have a long collaborative history, with the Puerto Rican pair releasing their joint album ‘Los Dioses’ in 2021. In a four-star review at the time, NME described it as “a jubilant collection that exudes timeless grooves and bottomless emotion”.
NME also spoke to Ozuna that year, with the singer arguing that “Latin music is the best in the world” and discussing his work with Anuel, Cardi B and DJ Snake.