Groove on the Grass has been cancelled just 24 hours before it was due to take place at The Q, Holiday Inn, Al Barsha, after the headline act was forced to pull out through illness.

Chilean-born and German-raised DJ Ricardo Villalobos, who is widely regarded as one of the kings of the underground, published an open letter on his Facebook page detailing the reasons for his absence.

The letter said: “I am so terribly sorry to be forced to cancel my show for the event Cocoon @ Groove on the Grass on December 13 due to an acute illness. My medical advisers have assured me that currently to embark on even short flights constituted risk and that to embark on a long flight such as Berlin to Dubai would almost certainly exacerbate the condition. This is a risk they insist I cannot and should not take.

“I would like to point out that it had been pleasure to work the Theartistnetwork and Cocoon and that this cancellation has nothing whatsoever to do with these companies who have done all they can to deliver the event. This decision is based entirely on my wish not to endanger my health by aggravating symptoms that could prove serious in the long term.

“Again – I am very sorry and very disappointed about this situation which developed so close to the date of the concert.”

 

Villalobos is celebrated in the underground dance scene for pushing the boundaries, and mixing up contemporary and classic sounds.

In their own statement Groove on the Grass wrote: “All tickets & tables sold prior to the event have already been reversed and will show up in your card account within 4-7 working days. Should you have any queries, please call 044573212. Once again, thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you soon.”