Fans at Upheaval Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan, were left stunned after Poppy's band took the stage without the singer.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Instead of canceling the performance, the masked musicians played a nearly hour-long instrumental set, leaving many in the crowd wondering why the frontwoman was absent.
Videos shared online showed the band wearing their signature masks, with some fans also noticing respirator masks underneath.
Rock Singer Explains Absence From Festival Performance
According to rock outlet Loudwire, the respirators worn by the band are described online as "an N95 disposable particulate respirator that is designed to help provide respiratory protection of at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non-oil based particles."
The festival took place as parts of Michigan experienced poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada.
Despite the conditions, Upheaval Festival opened as scheduled, saying it expected air quality to improve throughout the day.
"Our staff and crew has been amazing this week," the statement read. "Please thank them throughout the weekend! Your safety is our number one concern. We encourage you all to pace yourselves today and look out for each other."
"We are still working with our local officials to monitor the ongoing Air Quality situation that is passing through."
Poppy Reveals Why She Missed the Show
In an Instagram Story, Poppy, whose real name is Moriah Rose Pereira, explained why she was unable to perform with her band.
"Due to 'hazardous' AQI [Air Quality Index] reaching 350+ around our set time, I was unable to join my band on stage," she wrote.
"I was unable to breathe in those conditions. You might've noticed our set was instrumental only. For those who braved the conditions—I applaud you."
Upheaval Festival's 2026 lineup features some of hard rock's biggest names, with Gojira and Papa Roach headlining this year's event.
Poppy is currently in the middle of her Constantly Nowhere North American Tour. She is scheduled to perform at Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio, on July 18.
She will continue the tour in Detroit on July 19 before wrapping up the 14 remaining dates in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on August 9.
Poppy released her seventh studio album, Empty Hands, on January 23, 2026, following 2024's Negative Spaces. The album debuted at No. 137 on the Billboard 200, becoming her second release to chart.
