Poppy’s Upheaval Festival appearance did not go ahead as planned Friday night (July 17), after wildfire smoke created hazardous air quality conditions at the Grand Rapids, Mich., event.

The singer was scheduled to perform ahead of Gojira at the rock and metal festival, but her band ultimately played without her, delivering an instrumental set while wearing respirator masks beneath their usual stage masks.

Poppy later addressed her absence on Instagram Stories, explaining that conditions around the time of her performance had become unsafe.

“Due to ‘hazardous’ AQI reaching 350+ around our set time I was unable to join my band on stage,” she wrote. “I was unable to breathe in those conditions.”

“You might’ve noticed our set was instrumental only,” she continued. “For those who braved the conditions — I applaud you.”

Under the U.S. Air Quality Index, readings above 300 are classified as hazardous, the most severe category on the scale. AirNow, the EPA’s air quality resource, describes that range as a “health warning of emergency conditions,” with everyone more likely to be affected.

Upheaval organizers had told attendees before doors opened that the festival would proceed while officials continued monitoring the air quality situation.

“Your safety is our number one concern,” the festival said in a pre-event weather update, encouraging fans to pace themselves and look out for one another. Organizers also said at the time that available information suggested air quality would improve throughout the day.

Michigan was under a statewide air quality alert on Friday and Saturday due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke. The West Michigan Clean Air Coalition forecast hazardous conditions in parts of the state and very unhealthy conditions across the Lower Peninsula on Friday.

The Upheaval interruption marks the second time this festival season that severe conditions have disrupted one of Poppy’s sets. In May, her performance at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Fla., was cut short less than a minute in after severe weather and lightning protocols were activated.

Poppy’s latest live interruption comes amid a strong run on Billboard’s rock charts. “End of You,” her collaboration with Evanescence’s Amy Lee and Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart dated Sept. 20, 2025.

The track later made history on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, where Poppy, Lee and LaPlante became the first three women or women-led acts to top the ranking together.

Poppy released her seventh studio album, Empty Hands, in January via Sumerian Records. The album followed 2024’s Negative Spaces and continued her recent run through heavy, industrial and alternative sounds, with production from Jordan Fish and Stephen Harrison.

Jennifer Finch, the bassist, vocalist and songwriter whose ferocious presence helped power L7 through the ’90s alternative-rock boom, has died. She was 59.

Finch died following an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to a statement announcing her death.

L7 paid tribute to Finch in a statement, writing, “We are shattered by the loss of our beloved bandmate, sister and friend Jennifer Finch, whose fierce spirit, humor and boundless creativity helped shape L7 and changed all of our lives forever.”

“Jennifer was a true original who lived entirely on her own terms, and the impact she made on music, art and everyone lucky enough to know her cannot be measured,” the band continued. “We love her beyond words and will carry her with us always. Rest in power our dear friend.”

The statement was signed, “With Love, L7.”

Finch’s death comes shortly after L7 shared that she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer and would be unable to join the band’s upcoming farewell tour. The band said at the time that she required extensive medical care, rehabilitation and professional in-home support following multiple surgeries and serious complications.

Finch was a core member of L7’s classic lineup, anchoring the band’s guitar-heavy attack with a bass style that was blunt, melodic and built for maximum impact.

Alongside Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner and Dee Plakas, she helped define L7’s place at the intersection of punk, metal, grunge and alternative rock, where the band’s distortion-heavy songs carried sharp humor and political bite.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1985, L7 broke through during the alternative boom of the early ’90s, becoming known for songs including “Pretend We’re Dead,” “Shove,” “Andres” and “Fuel My Fire.” Their 1992 album, Bricks Are Heavy, produced by Butch Vig, became a cornerstone release for the band, pairing sludgy riffs and shout-along hooks with a restless, anti-gloss spirit.

Finch’s work with L7 was part of a broader creative life that extended beyond the stage. She was also a photographer, writer and visual artist, building a multidisciplinary practice that reflected the same raw, self-directed spirit she brought to music.

The statement announcing her death also acknowledged “the extraordinary outpouring of love and support” shown to Finch and those caring for her, adding that it had “meant more than words can express.”

Noah Kahan’s concert at Citi Field in Queens, New York, was canceled shortly before doors Saturday night (July 18). The final call was made after the stadium’s team spent the afternoon monitoring weather patterns in the New York City area, and after issuing an initial plan earlier in the evening to proceed with the show with no opening act and an adjusted set time for Kahan.

“The show tonight at Citi Field has been canceled due to inclement weather. This was a very difficult decision to make, but the first priority is always to keep everyone safe,” the venue’s latest update said on Saturday. Rain showers and thunderstorms, with the possibility of damaging wind gusts and flash flooding, were expected into the night.

“Exhausted every option to make this happen.. love you guys,” Kahan wrote in an Instagram Story, where he shared the news.

No makeup date was announced for Kahan’s July 18 concert, which was meant to be night one of a two-night stand at Citi Field. The Great Divide singer-songwriter remains on the venue’s schedule for Sunday (July 19).

Citi Field provided details on ticket refunds for the scrapped July 18 gig: “For ticket holders: Refunds are available from point of purchase. If you purchased from Ticketmaster, you will be automatically refunded. Thank you for understanding.”

The duo’s Journey of a Lifetime Tour continues in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 24.