Wembley Stadium has come under fire after The Weeknd’s fireworks display went ahead on Friday night despite an emergency alert warning about wildfire risk, according to NME.
The Canadian artist opened a five-night run at the London venue on August 14, and fireworks accompanied the closing song, “Moth To A Flame.” Just hours earlier, the UK government had sent an alert to phones across England and Wales urging people not to use anything that could start a fire, including fireworks.
Some people online criticised the decision, with one post questioning whether Wembley’s organisers had seen the government warning. In response, a Wembley spokesperson told LADBible that venue staff had met with members of the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade after the alert was received.
The spokesperson said the display was a controlled performance carried out within the stadium footprint and under Wembley’s usual safety procedures. According to the venue, all pyrotechnics are handled by specialist professionals, and fire safety experts are on site at every event.
The government message was a safety advisory and did not include a ban on fireworks, though it did temporarily ban the sale of disposable barbecues. The Weeknd is scheduled to continue his Wembley shows as part of his After Hours Til Dawn Tour.
