Fans left fuming after Kasabian pull out of Belfast gig minutes before it was due to start
KASABIAN fans vented their anger last night after the English rockers pulled out of their Belfast concert just minutes before they were due to take to the stage.
The Leicester band were to perform a sell-out show at Custom House Square. But, after two warm-up acts and with anticipation building toward the main event, an announcer took to the stage to apologise to the stunned crowd that the band would not be appearing.
The announcement was met with loud boos ringing out across the Belfast night sky. In a tweet, the band blamed illness.
The organisers said work had already begun on finding an alternative date and urged the thousands of concert-goers to hold on to their tickets.
“Absolute joke,” said Belfast man Matthew Creasey. “The band could not come out and say to their soaking fans it was cancelled.”
The 28-year-old — who booked a day off work for the show — said there was a great atmosphere in the crowd during the evening with fans singing the band’s greatest hits in the “lashing rain”.
“Everyone stayed positive and there was plenty of drink bought with big queues at the bar,” he said.
“A lot of people were very disappointed that we were left to stand out in the rain, especial- ly given no one from the band could come out to explain the situation.”
Many fans took to social media to complain at how they waited in the pouring rain to see the show and questioned why the announcement was so late.
Others said they had flown in from other parts of the British Isles to see their favourite rockers.
“It costs holidays from work and flight expenses, hotel, etc,” said Tom Wells.
Ryan Scott added: “Ten minutes before you’re supposed to come on! I’ve been paying five quid for pints for two hours!”
Others, however, wished the band well, hoping the illness was not something serious.
Linfield FC, in a cheeky tweet, pointed out there was still 15 minutes left of their ladies’ game against Finns PK-35 Vantaa and fans could still make it.
Ahead of the show the band had said they were “buzzing” to play the city.
Announcing the cancellation, Kasabian tweeted: “It is with great regret, due to illness, we cannot perform at Customs House Belfast tonight.”
Show organisers added: “We are working on scheduling a new date for Belfast. We will communicate with all ticket buyers via Ticketmaster and on the Custom House Square social media. Tickets remain valid for the new date. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Kasabian are in the middle of an international tour following the release of their sixth studio album, For Crying Out Loud.
They are scheduled to headline the Reading and Leeds Festival at the weekend.