Kirk Franklin’s Sunday “Gospel on Independence” concert at Independence Mall was canceled after severe weather brought lightning and thunder near the area. Wawa Welcome America officials said there are currently no plans to reschedule the show, even as Frankli
Sunday started like it might finally be the night Kirk Franklin took the stage at Independence Mall. The “Gospel on Independence” concert had been scheduled for 7 p.m. But severe weather moved in fast—lightning and thunder detected in the area pushed the show to be postponed. and the effort to restart it never held.
Wawa Welcome America officials, who organized the concert, said there were plans to restart the show. Those plans didn’t survive the weather. There are currently no plans to reschedule Franklin’s concert.
Even after the cancellation, Franklin still found a way to meet the crowd for a moment. As fans exited Independence Mall, he briefly stood on top of an SUV and greeted people there. A downpour began shortly after he left.
In a video posted on his Instagram page, Franklin described his intention to deliver an “incredible concert” in Philly. “I was really excited about it,” he said in the video, captioned, “I need the weather to repent! LOL! 😂❤️🙏🏽.”
Franklin’s disappointment landed hardest in his own words. “People were really disappointed,” he wrote. “But I need you to know that I’m more disappointed because I was really, really, really ready to go. I love Philadelphia. I’ll get back, man. I can’t let Philly down like that.”
For fans who stood for hours waiting Franklin’s arrival, the letdown wasn’t just emotional—it was physical. One fan commented under Franklin’s Instagram post: “My feet still hurting from standing out there waiting.”
The day also included a darker moment for the singer outside the stage. In a now-viral social media video. Franklin is seen arguing with an attendee who urged the singer to “repent” for his sins. The attendee then threatened that Franklin and his wife. Tammy Franklin. are “going to go to hell.” Franklin attempted to confront the unidentified man. but several security guards held him back. The man was eventually escorted out of the venue by law enforcement officers.
Even with Franklin’s show canceled, the rest of the week’s festival schedule continued at Independence Mall as part of Wawa Welcome America Festival events and concerts. Before Franklin’s set, fans had food vendors and opening performances to enjoy.
The celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday remains on the calendar. Tuesday’s lineup includes the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Pride concert. Thursday features the “Salute to Service” concert, and Friday’s events include Pops on Independence.
On July 4, “One Philly: Unity Concert for America” will take place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The lineup for that show includes Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, the Roots, and other big-name performers. That concert is not part of Wawa Welcome America, but Wawa is listed as a sponsor. For more information, visit july4thphilly.com.
Kirk Franklin Gospel on Independence Wawa Welcome America Independence Mall Philly concert canceled severe weather lightning thunder July 4 One Philly Unity Concert for America
So they just… don’t reschedule? That’s wild.
I mean lightning is lightning but like couldn’t they push it like 30 minutes? Independence Mall always does some chaos every year. Also him on the SUV was kinda wholesome though.
Wait so Franklin was already there and then he left? I saw a clip that made it seem like he was gonna start and then bam rain. If they had “plans to restart” they shoulda just stuck to it, no?
The weather “moved in fast” but Wawa Welcome America literally knows Philly weather?? Smh. And the comment about “weather to repent” like lol okay. My cousin said he still played somewhere else after, which is why I’m confused—maybe they didn’t cancel everything? Either way those people standing for hours… feet hurting is not nothing.