Blame game over move to cancel rockers’ park gig
THE decision to cancel a gig by American rockers Green Day hours before they were due to perform sparked a blame game between the organisers and the band’s management.
Fans vented their fury after PCL Presents announced that last night’s gig at Bellahouston Park was being cancelled due to “adverse weather.”
However, a statement on Green Day’s website cited concerns over the safety of the stage as the reason the gig was pulled and the band were said to be “distraught.”
It is understood a member of the crew suffered an injury on stage. PCL said one rigger suffered a “small accident several days before.” They said it was not related to a stage fault.
It is understood Green Day’s management made the decision to pull the gig.
PCL said fans would be reimbursed within 10 days for tickets – which started at £50 – but would not comment on reports that workers were sent home and told they would not be paid.
Glasgow City Council issued a statement saying the decision was taken by the promoters and manager of the band. Glasgow Life, which manages the parks, did not provide any comment.
A statement on Green Day’s website said: “The local safety council, production crew, and concert organizers have deemed the stage unsafe for the fans and everyone involved.
“We are very distraught about this as we are in Glasgow now and were very much looking forward to this show as one the highlights of our tour.
“We have been playing in extreme weather conditions throughout this European tour, and the last thing we want to do is see a show cancelled.”
A statement from PCL Presents said: “It is with great sadness and disappointment that the event for Green Day at Bellahouston Park was unable to go ahead.
“After many months of hard work and preparation, and after seven days of production and site crew working tirelessly around the clock on site, adverse weather conditions overnight and throughout the morning, during the band’s scheduled load-in, led to issues on stage.
“A meeting between the on-site health and safety, event management, the artists’ representatives and promoters concluded that it would be unsafe in the timescale to proceed with the event.”
Meanwhile, fans took to social media to vent their anger about the last-minute cancellation.
Amy Docherty tweeted: “Only waited my whole life to see them.”
Miriam Dornan wrote: “Adverse weather” you say? Ridiculous if this is the real reason @GreenDay gig is cancelled.”
The band, fronted by singer Billie Joe Armstrong, famed for hits including American Idiot, Basket Case and Holiday had announced the date back in December.