Anita Baker cancels her Atlanta concert minutes before show start

No further information about the cancellation was provided. A State Farm spokesperson, reached by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said he had no details beyond the location statement.

The baker’s show was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and doors would open an hour before. The cancellation was announced by State Farm and Live Nation at 6:54 p.m.

She had already performed there for a Valentine’s Day concert last year. Usher surprised Baker during the show.

ExplorePrevious coverage: Anita Baker drops Babyface from tour after fans threaten her

This isn’t the first time Baker’s concerts have sparked controversy. During her Songstress 2023 tour, Baker dropped Babyface as her opening act after getting into a fight with her fans on social media. The debate stems from a show in New Jersey, where Babyface’s set was removed to give Baker “more time and space to perform his show in its entirety” after reportedly experiencing technical issues.

Saturday night’s concert was announced in March and is expected to be a special Mother’s Day event. After the cancellation, frustrated fans posted online about the last-minute notice:

So Mom’s Mother’s Day gift was tickets to the Anita Baker concert tonight, and after making us stand there for over 30 minutes after the doors opened, they simply CANCELED the concert. 😑😑😑😑

I feel bad for the arena staff, even though the people of BC are NOT happy.

— ↠ ceej ↞ 🤘🏼 (@stars_gal) May 11, 2024

Others expressed concern for Baker.

There must be a good reason for Anita Baker to cancel her show tonight 15 minutes before the show starts. The people are crazy.

I have to give aunt the benefit of the doubt 🥺

-VINCENT (@Vince_Aries) May 11, 2024