Swedish pop star Zara Larsson has announced she will not perform at the Yasalam after-race concert on 3 December during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, saying the decision follows reflection and personal reasons that go beyond politics. The headline slot on the first night had been scheduled alongside Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi.
Decision follows pressure from fans over Sudan claims
The cancellation comes after online pressure from fans who urged Larsson to reconsider her involvement because of allegations that the United Arab Emirates provided support to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group blamed by critics for atrocities amidst the country’s ongoing conflict. One Instagram user wrote: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!”
"I will not be going to Abu Dhabi," Larsson replied.
Those Instagram comments were later deleted, and in a longer message the singer said she had considered the matter carefully. She framed her choice as a personal one, explaining she does not wish to perform in front of governments rather than people and underlining her desire to bring music and joy to audiences worldwide. She wrote that the initial reply may have seemed impulsive but that, on reflection, withdrawing from the show felt right for “many different personal reasons beyond politics, as well as.”
Promoters and government statements
Larsson had been booked to play Etihad Live on Yas Island as part of the Yasalam After Race Concerts — a festival of performances that accompanies the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which runs from 3–6 December. Organisers had announced Larsson and Lewis Capaldi as headliners for the opening night.
The UAE government has denied providing military support to the RSF. In response to recent UN reporting, officials said they “strongly condemn the atrocities committed by the Sudanese armed forces and Rapid Support Forces” and called for an arms embargo to be imposed on the country. The statement rejects allegations that the UAE materially backs the RSF.
What is at stake for artists and events
This episode highlights the increasingly fraught decisions facing international artists and promoters when global touring intersects with geopolitical disputes. Musicians are often pressured by fans and campaigners to take stances on human-rights issues, and social media exchanges can accelerate demands into public controversies. Larsson’s decision illustrates how a single comment thread can prompt reassessment of scheduled appearances.
For the Abu Dhabi weekend organisers, the late change affects the advertised line-up for one of the season’s most visible motorsport events. For Larsson, it will be seen by some fans as a principled withdrawal and by others as an ambiguous move — she explicitly linked her choice to personal considerations as well as the social-media prompt.
- Artist: Zara Larsson
- Event: Yasalam After Race Concerts, Etihad Live (Abu Dhabi Grand Prix)
- Scheduled date: 3 December
- Other headliner: Lewis Capaldi (opening night)
| Key dates | Details |
|---|---|
| 3–6 December | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend and Yasalam concerts |
| 3 December | Originally scheduled night for Larsson and Capaldi |
The UAE’s forceful rebuttal of claims regarding the RSF and Larsson’s emphasis on personal reasons mean the episode may settle quickly on both diplomatic and entertainment fronts. Yet it is another example of how international events now carry immediate reputational risks, and of the ways artists navigate between audience expectation, personal ethics and the practicalities of a global touring schedule.
