Foo Fighters cancel Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race show due to 'medical circumstances'

Organisers said the award-winning rock group 'apologises for any inconvenience or disappointment caused'

The Foo Fighters' performance at the Yasalam After-Race Concerts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been cancelled. AP

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Foo Fighters' much-anticipated show on the closing night of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 on Sunday has been cancelled.

"Due to unforeseen medical circumstances, Foo Fighters will not be performing at the #AbuDhabiGP #Yasalam After-Race Concert on Sunday," organisers Flash Entertainment posted on Instagram. "The band apologises for any inconvenience or disappointment caused by this unexpected turn of events. Stay tuned for further updates."

The Dave Grohl-led band were to mark their debut concert in the Mena region on Sunday, capping a run of sold-out arena dates this year, including being the first band to perform at New York's Madison Square Garden in June, after Covid-19 closed the venue for 15 months.

When announcing the band's addition to the Yasalam After-Race Concert series in November, John Lickrish, chief executive of Flash Entertainment, had said they wanted to finish the series "with a bang".

"What better than one of the biggest rock bands in the world. They are brilliant on stage and they have so many hits that people will at least know one song. This is also a concert to show the whole music industry that Abu Dhabi is really back in business," he told The National.

The concert series has already featured top performers including US pop star Khalid on Thursday and British rapper Stormzy on Friday. Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi is scheduled to take the stage tonight at Etihad Park.

Scroll through the gallery below for pictures from Stormzy's show at the Abu Dhabi Formula One after-race concerts at Etihad Park:

British rapper Stormzy performs at Etihad Park, Yas Island. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The rapper returned to the UAE 17 months after a set at the Redfest DXB festival in Dubai.

Tthe British grime rapper headlined the second of the four Abu Dhabi F1 after-race concerts at Etihad Park.

'It has been a long time since I have been on stage like this … let's make this a great memory for us with dance, vibes and energy,' Stormzy said.

Fans cheer as Stormzy performs a series of hits.

'I have been looking for this show for so long,' the rapper told fans.

British rapper Stormzy performs at Etihad Park, Yas Island.

Fans of British rapper Stormzy enjoy a concert at Etihad Park, Yas Island.

While his trademark ferocious energy may have seemed a little tempered, there was no doubt about the genuine enthusiasm exhibited on stage.

British rapper Stormzy performs at Etihad Park, Yas Island.

Fans of British rapper Stormzy cheer him on at Etihad Park, Yas Island.

British rapper Stormzy performs at Etihad Park, Yas Island.

Audience members wearing masks cheer during the rapper's performance.

British rapper Stormzy performs at Etihad Park, Yas Island.

In was clear at the concert that Stormzy is happy to be back at work.

British rapper Stormzy performs at Etihad Park, Yas Island.

Stormzy pounced on stage to the imperial-sounding horn blasts of opener 'Big Michael'.

British rapper Stormzy performs at Etihad Park, Yas Island.