The highly-anticipated We Love NYC concert was cut short on Saturday, Aug. 21 due to lightning and state-wide preparations for an impending hurricane.

Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon and other big-ticket names did not get to perform and the event, which was billed as a star-studded, free mega-concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park.

The show was stopped around 7:30 p.m. ET in the middle of Barry Manilow’s performance – in fact, he was mid-chorus during “Can’t Smile Without You” when the music was cut.

“Due to approaching severe weather, all persons should move quickly and calmly to the nearest exit,” said an official over the Central Park sound system.

Not long after, New York State would declare a state of emergency over the impending Hurricane (later, Tropical Storm) Henri, closing all state parks.

The concept for the We Love NYC show was first tossed around in June/July 2021, with Mayor Bill de Blasio later saying, “This is going to be one of the greatest Central Park concerts in history. This is something for the ages.”

The free event was produced by Clive Davis and before the weather hit, Jennifer Hudson, LL Cool J, the New York Philharmonic, Earth, Wind & Fire and Carlos Santana did get their sets in.

Watch the moment the concert was called off – via Twitter user @nicholaSyaJ – below: