Rihanna drops bombshell ahead of London live music comeback announcement

In a surprising turn of events, global pop icon Rihanna has canceled her highly anticipated live music comeback in London, just days before the official announcement was expected. The singer had planned a six-concert residency at London’s West Ham Stadium in July 2025, marking her return to the stage after a nine-year hiatus since her last album, Anti.

According to insiders, Rihanna decided to pull the plug on these shows during a secret meeting last week, citing that her new music isn’t ready. Despite efforts from her team to persuade her otherwise, she felt it wasn’t the right time to proceed with the concerts.

This development comes after rumors circulated about Rihanna’s potential performances at major events, including a headline slot at Glastonbury, followed by the London residency. The singer, who hasn’t toured in over eight years, had been in discussions to perform at Glastonbury before embarking on the six shows at London Stadium, with dates tentatively set between July 4 and July 12, 2025.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting Rihanna’s return to music, especially after her recent interview where she hinted at a new album that would defy expectations and not be commercial or radio-friendly. She expressed that she had finally “cracked it,” suggesting a bold, experimental direction for her ninth studio album.

While this news may be disappointing to many, it underscores Rihanna’s commitment to delivering new music that meets her artistic standards. As fans continue to await her return, the anticipation for her next musical chapter remains as strong as ever.