The Fugees' headline set at the Diaspora Calling! festival in Milton Keynes was cut short on Friday evening when the venue reached its 11 p.m. event license curfew. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean took the stage after 10 p.m., performing songs from Hill's 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, including "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and "Ex-Factor." Hill was joined on stage by her sons, YG Marley and Zion Marley, a decision some attendees criticized for reducing the group's allotted performance time.
Fans expressed disappointment as the duo was unable to play some of their most well-known hits, such as the 1996 multi-platinum single "Killing Me Softly With His Song." The microphones were switched off, and the large screens at the 65,000-capacity venue went black.
A message displayed on screen apologized to the audience, stating, "As part of our event licence, we are legally required to finish the show at 11:00pm and cannot continue beyond this time." The message thanked attendees for being part of the event and wished them a safe journey home.
Fan footage captured Hill and Jean attempting to address the crew on stage, with Hill pleading to finish the set as boos were heard from the crowd. Hill remained on stage, thanking fans and performing an impromptu a cappella rendition of "Ready Or Not."
Jean told the Daily Mail that the group was "really sad how it ended" and expressed hope for a continuation next year. He emphasized the importance of the event's message of unity, stating, "With so much division, the diaspora calling is just to remind everybody to come together."
The Fugees, composed of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel, achieved significant fame in the 1990s but released only two studio albums before their disbandment in 1997.