MTV VMAs 2017: The Weeknd cancels Awards eve gig 2 hours before the start

Singer The Weeknd abruptly pulled the plug on his pre-VMAs party performance two hours before the start time.

Organisers of the event cited "unforeseen production issues," but sources close to The Weeknd told Variety that proper permits were not secured.

Billed as a "private concert with The Weeknd," the party was due to take place at Werkartz, a production space in downtown LA that features sound stages in a space of nearly 10,000 square feet.

The performance was scheduled to kick off at 10:30 pm.

Guests who had RSVP'd were notified just before 8:30 pm that the event was cancelled.

Celebrities such as Emily Ratajkowski, Swizz Beatz, Rosario Dawson, and Bebe Rexha were expected to attend the party. DJ and fashion designer Virgil Abloh (aka Flat White) was set to open the evening.