Poppy misses Upheaval Festival set due to "hazardous" wildfire smoke as band perform without her in masks

As I sat at my desk, scrolling through my feeds, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Poppy, the singer who had to miss her Upheaval Festival set due to hazardous air quality caused by Canadian wildfires. The singer's absence was palpable, with her masked backing band taking to the stage without her, performing the set instrumentally while wearing N95 respirators beneath their customary stage masks. It was a stark reminder of the risks that performers, especially those who rely on their voices, face when it comes to extreme weather conditions.

Poppy took to her Instagram Stories to explain the situation, stating that the Air Quality Index around the festival had exceeded 350, a reading that falls under the "hazardous" category. Under the US Air Quality Index, any reading above 300 is classified as hazardous, meaning that everyone is at risk of experiencing health effects. It's a stark reality that festival organisers and performers face every year, with the ever-present threat of wildfires and other extreme weather conditions.

Poppy's decision to skip her set was not taken lightly, and her fans were quick to defend her, pointing out that she had the right to prioritise her health and safety above all else. As one fan noted, "if singing in those conditions was a risk to her health, she has the RIGHT to decide not to perform." It's a sentiment that resonated with many, who understood that Poppy's decision was not about disappointing her fans, but about protecting herself from harm.

The Upheaval Festival was not the only event affected by the Canadian wildfires. Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the festival was held, was already dealing with hazardous air quality before the event even opened. Festival organisers had warned attendees of the risks, but it's a stark reminder of the human cost of extreme weather conditions. The wildfires that ravaged Canada had a ripple effect, causing air quality to deteriorate in surrounding areas, including Michigan.

As I reflect on Poppy's decision to skip her Upheaval Festival set, I'm reminded of the importance of prioritising health and safety above all else. It's a lesson that extends beyond the music industry, to all of us who face the risks of extreme weather conditions. As we navigate the challenges of climate change, it's essential that we put the health and well-being of ourselves and our communities first.

• The Air Quality Index around the Upheaval Festival exceeded 350, classifying the air as hazardous.
• Poppy's backing band performed the set instrumentally while wearing N95 respirators.
• The US Air Quality Index classifies readings above 300 as hazardous.
• The Upheaval Festival organisers had warned attendees of the risks of hazardous air quality before the event opened.