D’Angelo has cancelled his appearance at the Roots Picnic Festival in Philadelphia due to an “unforeseen medical delay”.
The neo-soul star was due to perform at the event, which is being held at the Mann in Fairmount Park on May 31 and June 1, but confirmed on social media on Friday (May 23) that he has pulled out of the show following advice from his doctors.
“It is with the deepest of regrets that I must cancel my performance at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia next weekend,” he wrote in a post shared on the festival’s account. “But, due to an unforeseen medical delay regarding surgery I had earlier this year, I’ve been advised by my team of specialist that the performance this weekend could further complicate matters.”
He continued: “It is nearly impossible to express how disappointed I am not to be able to play with my brothers The Roots. And even more disappointed not to see all of you.”
“I’m so thankful to my beautiful fans for continuing to rock with me and I thank u for your continued support. I’m currently in the lab & can’t wait to serve up what’s in the pot! Love u all and will see you very soon.”
Roots Picnic later confirmed that D’Angelo’s fellow neo-soul trailblazer Maxwell had been added to the line-up in his place, promising that he will be “bringing that once-in-a-lifetime, sing-it-from-your-chest, soul-stirring magic that only he can deliver”.
This year’s edition of Roots Picnic, the annual festival curated by the Philadelphia hip-hop group, will also see performances from Lenny Kravitz, Meek Mill, GloRilla, Miguel, Tems and Kaytranada.
D’Angelo has only released one album in the last 25 years – 2014’s ‘Black Messiah’, about which NME said: “The good – no, the astonishing – news is that this constantly engrossing record repays a decade and a half’s faith and patience. D’Angelo has scuttled down the digital chimney with an early Christmas gift with long-lasting rewards: not just one of the best records of 2014, but one that will stay with you throughout next year, too.”
In 2018, he was due to play a one-off UK show, but he postponed it to focus on his work in the studio on a new album that has yet to materialise. He did, however, play a show at New York’s Apollo Theater in 2021 for the VERZUZ battle series.