Metal-pop artist Poppy skipped her main-stage set at Upheaval Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Friday, citing hazardous air quality from ongoing Canadian wildfires, leaving her band to perform an instrumental set alone while wearing N95 masks. The incident reflects the broader disruption wildfire smoke is causing to live events across the US this weekend, with Michigan among the worst-affected states and several other concerts already cancelled.

Poppy later explained on Instagram that the local air quality index (AQI) had reached a "hazardous" 350+ around her scheduled slot, making it impossible for her to breathe on stage, though she praised fans who endured the conditions. Air quality reportedly improved to "moderate" by evening, and Upheaval organisers issued a statement urging attendees to pace themselves and look out for one another, though the festival did not directly address Poppy's absence. Thursday had already seen wildfire-related cancellations for Mavis Staples in New York, the Black Keys in Chicago, and John Mellencamp in Clarkston, Michigan, with AQI in the Upheaval area expected to improve Saturday before potentially worsening again on Sunday.