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Janet Jackson pulls out of 2025 Cincinnati Music Festival

a woman with a headset performing on stage
Amy Harris
/
Invision, AP
Janet Jackson at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, July 8, 2018.

Janet Jackson announced Thursday she will no longer perform at the 2025 Cincinnati Music Festival, taking place July 24-26.

She was slated to headline the event on Saturday, along with Earth, Wind & Fire on Friday. In a statement, she apologized to fans, saying personal matters have come up.

Jackson last performed at the CMF in 2022. Festival organizers are working on a replacement.

The three-day event will feature performances at the Andrew J. Brady Center and Paycor Stadium.

"The Cincinnati Music Festival has become a cornerstone of our city's annual entertainment schedule, and we're thrilled to bring this incredible lineup to Paycor Stadium in 2025," Joe Santangelo, the festival's producer, said in a December 2024 release. "Beyond the unforgettable performances, CMF continues to drive significant economic growth, bringing millions of dollars into the region while celebrating music and culture."

RELATED: For Black businesses, Cincinnati Music Festival presents a valuable economic opportunity

The 2025 lineup currently includes:

  • Thursday, July 24, 2025 (Andrew J. Brady Center): A Tribute to Hip Hop Music, artists to be announced
  • Friday, July 25 (Paycor Stadium): Earth, Wind & Fire, Anthony Hamilton and three artists to be announced
  • Saturday, July 26 (Paycor Stadium): a special tribute to Frankie Beverly, featuring Jubu with special guest appearances by Ronald Isley, Joe, After 7, Dave Hollister and Raheem DeVaughn and three more artists to be announced

Tickets are on sale now.

Updated: March 20, 2025 at 11:22 AM EDT
This article was first published Dec. 18, 2024 and has been updated with the news of Jackson no longer performing at the festival.
Isabel joined WVXU in 2024 to cover the environment.