Concert cancellation angers fans
Music fans were infuriated after a one-day music festival planned in Boston this weekend was abruptly canceled, with sponsor Angry Orchard giving no explanation.
The Rock the Roots concert was planned for yesterday afternoon at City Hall Plaza but on Friday Angry Orchard changed its Facebook event page to “canceled.”
“Boston fans: We’re very sorry to announce that the show tomorrow has been canceled for reasons beyond our control,” Angry Orchard posted. “Anyone that purchased tickets from Frontgate or Groupon will receive a full refund . ... Our passion for live music and great cider is why we took Rock the Roots on the road, and we are disappointed to have to cancel. Thanks for supporting live music and we hope you’ll continue to do so.”
According to city officials, EVP Production Group contacted the property management department on Friday morning and informed them that the cancellation was due to lack of ticket sales.
EVP Productions and Angry Orchard, part of the Boston Beer Company, could not be reached for comment.
The abrupt cancellation of the show that was featuring bands Young the Giant, Milky Chance and New Politics made fans livid. General admission tickets cost $55 while VIP tickets cost as much as $90.
Conor Caldwell, 30, of Boston said with poor promotion he became suspicious that the festival would be called off.
“I felt weird about it. I could tell it was really underpromoted,”
‘I felt weird about it. I could tell it was really underpromoted. I texted my friend I had a bad feeling about this show.’ — CONOR CALDWELL, disappointed ticketholder
Caldwell told the Herald. “I texted my friend I had a bad feeling about this show.”
Frontgate, the ticket company, emailed fans that they can expect a full refund on Friday, Caldwell said.
“How am I supposed to trust that?” he asked. “I’m hoping it is real.”
Young the Giant, a performer, tweeted: “We just got word that tomorrow’s Rock the Roots fest in Boston has been canceled. So bummed, but unfortunately this is not our call and out of our control. Wish it wasn’t the case. All tickets will be refunded and hopefully we’ll see you all at another show soon.”
Another would-be concertgoer, Cheryl Teves, posted “This is BS. I think it was a scam all along now. How can they cancel on everyone this is a holiday weekend the last weekend of the summer for the most part that people make plans (to) find babysitters. Angry Orchard has a lot of explaining to do they have a lot of Angry people that wanted to go enjoy (their) festival that they promoted very well.”